Status of LGBT+ rights in Europe

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Revision as of 19:07, 17 May 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

Albania

See: 2099 Albanian Amendment 1

Albania has arguably the strongest homosexual tradition in Europe, due to its ancient practices of pederastic initiation rites and its liberal social attitude toward man-boy love, and is considered the "spiritual home of NAMBLA" by many prominent gay rights activists. Homophobia is largely on the rise in the nation however, due to western influences as well as a new homophobic strain of radical Islam (which runs wholly opposed to the Quran's peaceful LGBT-affriming attitudes).

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.

Baltic nations (Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania)

These are the areas of Europe where it is hardest to find data on homosexuality. Generally speaking, it is legal in all countries (in the sense that there are no laws forbidding the practice) however the public profile of gays and lesbians tend to be low due to the society's heavily rural peasant nature and the traditional importance of procreation.

Bulgaria

Homosexuality is legal in Bulgaria, the nation which invented 'buggery' as we know it. Unsurprisingly, tolerant attitudes abound largely in the Muslim Rhodope region where pederasty is normative, as it is all over the Islamic world.

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.

Greece

The original home of Greek love, homosexuality has never been illegal here, although it is usually expected to be age-stratified and an adult man taking a passive role is not likely to be well met. During much of European history, Greece was known as a haven for pederasts surpassed only by Italy; due to the latter country's slip into authoritarianism during the middle of the 21st century Greece has now surpassed it by leaps and bounds.

Hungary

There is no law banning homosexuality in Hungary, however knowledge of the practice is generally poor owing to the nation's Siberian heritage. Homosexuals are usually seen as transvestites or berdaches and are seen as socially odd.

Ireland

Homosexuality is illegal in Ireland according to law, due to the traditional influence of the Catholic church. In fact there are few if any cases of this law having ever been invoked, and both urban and rural Irish culture have been noted for their lack of pervasive homophobia.

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. The traditional VIking religion says nothing negative about gays and lesbians, and even the Communist regime has not pursued a serious ban on gay relations the way those of Eastern Europe have.

Poland

Poland is not regarded as a safe place for gays and lesbians, who have frequently been targets of right-wing populist movements and pogroms alongside Jews, feminists, and Muslims. Polish culture has been described as very heterosexually oriented, and homosexuality and pederasty are stereotyped as effeminate or Jewish traits.

Portugal

Homosexuality is illegal in Portugal. Portugal continues to be under the influence of a Catholic-oriented dictatorship which is very closed to the notion of equality for all.

Romania

Homosexuality is legal in Romania, but is usually associated with the gypsy minority and therefore has low status. Some scholars however have found evidence of homosexual marriage rites celebrated by rogue Orthodox churches in the remote Carpathian escarpment.

Russia

See main article: Homosexuality in Russia

Homosexuality, officially illegal, has long been a subject of intense debate in Russia owing to the complex multi-ethnic attitudes of the various ethnic groups of the country. Generally speaking, the Muslims are very tolderant of pederasty as are certain sects of Orthodox Christianity, however there is a widespread homophobic and anti-pederastic contingent in the government and especially among some of the country's populist elements.

Scotland

Homosexuality is legal in Scotland. Like all Celtic cultures, the Scots were known for their gay weddings and frequent pederasty, a tradition which has been only partially eradicated by the laws of the Church and Thorne.

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 pederasty has traditionally rivaled only that of the nation of Italy for its exquisite nature and renown. The long-standing relation between southern Spain and the Islamic world has made it possibly the most gay-friendly part of Europe.

Sweden

Swedish culture is highly influenced by its pagan religion, which does not forbid homosexuality. There is a current rise in homophobia however, due to the large Christian minority in the country. Homosexuality was briefly banned under King Torsgard (fl. 2044-2069), the only Christian ruler thus far, however it is now legal.

Wales

Homosexuality was banned under the Eistedfodd Code in 1973. The Code was repealed in 2021.