SPARTACUS GAY TRAVEL INDEX 2026 | Belgium among safest destinations

Belgium has been ranked among the most LGBTQIA+-friendly destinations in the world in the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2026, the annual global ranking published by Spartacus International Gay Guide. The country shares fourth place globally with Canada, Germany, and Portugal, confirming its status as one of the safest and most welcoming places for queer travellers. 

Belgium 16th safest country in 2025

Belgium has been ranked among the world’s 20 safest countries for 2025, according to the latest edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI). The country placed 16th overall, achieving a score of 1.492 out of 5, where lower scores indicate higher levels of peace.

UPDATE | 65 countries where gay sex is illegal in 2025

The tally of countries with anti-homosexuality laws has again risen to 65 with last month’s official publication of a homophobic new penal code in Mali in West Africa, Erasing 76 Crimes reports. This means that in January 2025, 65 countries (and other entities) criminalise gay sex. 

UPDATE | 64 countries where gay sex is illegal

On 22 April 2024, the High Court of Dominica in the island nation of Dominica in the Caribbean struck down its ant-sodomy law. Time for an update. Both ILGA World and Erasing 76 Crimes count the countries and US states which have laws against gay sex. Spoiler alert: the number of countries criminalising gay sex…

71 (68) countries where gay sex is illegal 

The 17th of May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia. IDAHOBIT, or more commonly in Belgium, IDAHOT. As it falls on a Tuesday this year and Tuesday is one of our default publishing days with Thursday and Sunday, I’d thought I’d take a look at the state of affairs regarding state-sponsored…