Status of LGBT+ rights in Europe

From Alterealitiky

Revision as of 04:00, 6 September 2012

Europe has had an illustrious gay history. In recent years, there has been increased and widespread tolerance never before seen, although even today, sodomy laws exist in some countries.

History

Before the writing of Thornian Code of Sexual Misconduct, only England had enacted an official ban on homosexuality. Previously, homosexuality had been viewed differently depending on tribal and social customs. In most shame cultures (such as certain Germanic societies), homosexuality was legal but not accepted; men who engaged in homosexual activity, particularly as passive partners, were scorned and mocked by society. Other nations, such as France and Moorish Spain, accepted homosexuality and even awarded high honors to LGBT people. The Estonians, for instance, believed that a gay youth had a stronger connection with the spiritual than one who preferred heterosexual sex. 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 - Homosexuality is illegal in Austria, due to the recent seizure of the country by right-wing military groups. Before 2065, gays were accepted and even had limited partnership rights. In 2053, Atlasian historian Jim Keyes called Austria a 'hotbed of decadence'.
• England - Homosexuality is legal in England. Prior to 2031, it was illegal, and the liberalization of these laws are often attributed to social reformers such as Frank Bartlett and David Hume.
• France - Homosexuality is legal in France. Frank Bartlett wrote in 2024 that "it seems the French do not have an aversion to what the English call 'perversion'; they sodomize liberally and publicly."
• Germany - Homosexuality is illegal in Germany, due to the country's fascistic regime. Before 2054, it was legal and accepted by society. David Hume reported in a 2039 essay that "Further to the east we have Austria, Germany, and Bavaria - in none of these countries is sexual deviancy viewed as abnormal. Homosexuality is visible and accepted by almost everyone."
• 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.