• Spain moves up a notch in 2016 European ranking of rights for LGBTI people
• Of 49 countries, only Malta, Belgium, the UK & Denmark grant greater freedom
Spain has been rated the fifth best country in Europe in terms of its respect for the human rights and equality provided LGBTI individuals in the latest annual “Rainbow Europe” report on LGBTI rights in 49 European countries from the Brussels-based International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
Spain was upgraded in 2016 from sixth place last year in terms of its overall social climate for LGBTI people, as measured on a scale from 0 (for gross violations of human rights and discrimination) to 100 (for respect of human rights, full equality). The criteria used in determining the ranking include laws and policies that directly impact LGBTI rights in terms of equality and non-discrimination, family, bias-motivated speech or violence, legal gender recognition, freedom of assembly, association and expression, and asylum.
After Holland, Belgium and Canada, in 2005 Spain became the fourth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage, with the country’s first gay marriage performed in 2006 in Madrid. In the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe report for 2016, only Malta, Belgium, the UK and Denmark exceeded Spain among European countries in the promotion and protection of rights granted to LGBTI people.
► Read More in Spanish at DosManzanas.com and Chueca.com …
► Read More in English at The Local …
► Read the ILGA-Europe report in English at the Rainbow Europe Map, here …
