Status of LGBT+ rights in Europe

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Revision as of 04:40, 7 February 2019

The status of LGBTQ+ rights in European society has seen profound shifts in recent years, with an increasing emphasis on sexual and social equality since the middle of the century. However, there remains much work to be done before full equality can be reached across the continent, and in many areas traditional Christian and patriarchal structures continue to be an obstacle to full equality.

History

Homosexuality flourished during the Archaic Period, prior to the entrenchment of Christian patriarchy and white privilege in European thought. During the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the status of LGBTQ+ individuals began to decline; it was during this period that a conspicuous difference emerged between the largely homphobic Christian majority and the more liberal and tolerant Islamic and animist minorities across the continent. Pederasty, a common practice in "fringe" areas, became a marker of Otherness and was frequently invoked to stire hostility between Christians and other religious groups. This came to a fore during the Great Wars of Religion in the second half of the eighteenth century, as open Islamophobia and anti-pagan hysteria led to increased condemnation of those wh were seen as operating outside the pale of acceptable Christian behavior. During the Dark Ages of the 19th century, European nations began to pass antisodomy laws in droves; many of these were designed specifically to target Jews, Muslims and other ethnic minorities living in the nations.

The coming of George Perceval Thorne in 1925 did not help the situation of LGBTQ+ Europeans, as he instituted a broad series of laws aimed at increasing social control and suppression of those who veered from the heteronormative ideal. These laws, known as the Thornian Code of Sexual Misconduct, expanded on previous English sodomy laws, treating "deviant" sexuality as a mental illness and replacing former penalties of whipping and/or prison sentences with incarceration in mental institutions. Laws based on Thorne's code were implemented in a variety of countries, including those (such as Wales) where homosexuality had previously been legal and accepted. It was only during the early years of the 21st century that a serious attempt was made to challenge this conservative legislation.

Previously, homosexuality had been viewed differently depending on tribal and social customs. In Northern European shame cultures (such as certain Germanic societies), the status of gay and lesbian members depended on their role, with those taking an "active" role in sexual activities being held in greater esteem than passive partners. A similar view, although colored somewhat by colonial homophobia, can be seen in many non-Western cultures around the world. Southern Europe, specifically the Mediterranean, derived influence from Islamic and Moorish traditions and hence was inclined towards greater tolerance of homosexuality, to a limited extent. Almost all cultures considered lesbian activity tolerable, as in patriarchal societies it was viewed as a method of preventing young women from engaging in illicit sex with a man.

By country

Austria

Prior to the seizure of the nation by a right-wing authroritarian regime, Atlasian historian Jim Keyes called Austria a 'hotbed of decadence. However, Argyle MacTaggart found that "Central European peasants" were among the least gay-friendly people in his sample, and many were unaware of the existence of homosexuality. The Democratic era (2021-2065) resulted in many forward strides for gays, which are only recently being rediscovered due to a softening of the ruling regime in the early 2090s. Homosexuality is still de jure illegal, however.

England

Homosexuality is legal in England since 2031. Gay people have equal rights to same-sex marriage and adoption, and the country rates very highly in terms of LGBT acceptance.

===France=== Homosexuality is legal in France. The French do not share the prudery around sex found in some nearby societies; reports by Frank Bartlett on practices in the urban south of France have provided evidence that sodomy has long been a custom there, frequently with public recognition.

===Germany=== Homosexuality is legal in Germany following the successful campaigns against Nazi-era laws during the late 2080s. LGBT culture was highly developed in the decades preceding the right-wing regime, and continued underground afterwards.

• Ireland - Homosexuality is illegal in Ireland, due to the traditional influence of the Catholic church. Gays are often imprisoned.
• Italy - Homosexuality has been illegal in Italy since its 2077 seizure by right-wing paramilitary groups. Before then, Italians had been known for their celebration of gay weddings, and general social tolerance. The Italians held the first gay pride march in recorded history in Parma in 1972.
• The Netherlands - Homosexuality is legal in the Netherlands. Dutch culture was one of the first to begin allowing same-sex marriages, in 2011.
• Norway - Homosexuality is legal in Norway, although there have been attempts by more radical members of the Communist government to enforce strict bans on gay prostitution.
• Poland - Homosexuality is legal in Poland, but is not very widely accepted. Polish culture views effeminate men negatively, and violence against gays occassionally erupts in Warsaw and other large cities.
• Portugal - Homosexuality is illegal in Portugal. Portugal's strong Catholic culture has led to an air of homophobia not seen elsewhere in western Europe.
• Scotland - Homosexuality was banned under the Thornian Laws drawn up in 1981, but was effectively legalized with their repeal in 2039.
• Slovenia - Called the most tolerant nation in the world, Slovenia was established in 1997 as a "bisexual republic" in which no differences between gender or sexual orientation were recognized. Since then, it has become a gay tourism spot, attracting visitors from all over Europe. Because it was one of the few European nations to allow full rights to LGBT members of society in the early 2000s, and because of its lax immigration policy, Slovenia has the highest LGBT population in Europe, at 78.1%, and is also the most ethnically and culturally diverse European nation.
• Spain - Homosexuality is legal in Spain. Same-sex marriage and adoption are recognized. Spanish culture has a rich LGBT tradition, particularly in the southern region of the country, which was influenced by North African traditions.
• Sweden - Except for a brief interval under Sweden's last king Torsgard II, when homosexuality was declared a public offense, the Swedish have never been averse to homosexual acts.
• Wales - Homosexuality was banned under the Eistedfodd Code in 1973. The Code was repealed in 2021.