Navigating Equality: Unveiling the 2024 Rainbow Map

In the dynamic world of human rights advocacy, working together is essential. Last week marked a significant event of mass collaboration – the release of the 16th annual Rainbow Map of LGBTI human rights in Europe

The purpose of the Rainbow Map

At its core, the Rainbow Map is a tool of empowerment, designed to equip advocates with the knowledge needed to achieve change. With categories ranging from equality and non-discrimination to asylum rights, this resource serves as a compass, illuminating the path towards progress. Armed with the Rainbow Map, activists can leverage its insights to hold governments accountable, showcasing comparative data to drive policy reform and legislative action.

Stories of struggle and triumph

Behind every data point lies a narrative – a story of struggle and triumph, of setbacks and victories. The Rainbow Map is not merely a collection of statistics; it is a testament to the activism of LGBTI people across Europe for real change. Through the qualitative lens of ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review, the numbers come to life, providing context and depth to each country’s journey towards equality. When browsing each country in the Rainbow Map, you will find the Annual Review for the country under a number of themes.

The power of collaboration

The journey to publish the Rainbow Map each year is not a tale of an organisation in Brussels working alone. It’s a true example collective determination, and a display of LGBTI and allied teamwork across Europe, showcasing the strength of unity during tough times. More than 250 people, including activists, lawyers, and policymakers, contributed their expertise and passion to this project, which has become a go-to for anyone wanting to understand the development of LGBTI rights in Europe over the past 16 years. Their dedication and commitment to justice is woven into the very fabric of the Rainbow Map. This year, we made substantial progress by revamping the Rainbow Map’s interface and seamlessly integrating it with our ILGA-Europe website. This revitalisation reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that users have access to the most user-friendly and informative platform possible.

Honouring the faces behind the numbers

As we continue our journey towards equality, equipped with the Map, let us remember the people behind the data – the activists who fight the good fight, the lawyers who litigate, the policymakers who advocate. Let’s honour their resilience, courage, and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow. As we navigate the complex landscape of LGBTI rights, let the Rainbow Map be our guidance, illuminating the path towards new successes.