Methodology

F&M Global Barometers LGBTQI+ Perception Index

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Overview

The F&M Global Barometers LGBTQI+ Perception Index™ (GBPI) is a survey, piloted in 2022 and launched again in 2024, designed to measure LGBTQI+ individuals’ perceptions and experiences.

Data Collection

The GBPI asks six basic questions related to experiences with safety, acceptance, discrimination, and violence. Respondents complete the survey via the Internet and select answers on a Likert scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

The survey also asks respondents demographic questions about their country of residence in the past 12 months, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, urban, rural, or suburban location, and age. Respondents have the option to skip any questions and to select multiple sexual orientations and gender identities. The survey adheres to human subjects guidelines and was approved by Franklin & Marshall College’s Institutional Review Board.

Originally published in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, the survey is currently available in 11 additional languages: Bengali, Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Thai, and Urdu.

Grading

Each country’s GBPI score is calculated by determining the average score (1-5) for each of the six questions and then taking the average of those averages. Then, this score is converted into a percentage and assigned a letter grade (A-F), where 100% (A) is the most protective and 0% (F) is the least protective.

Note: Survey data for countries with fewer than 30 responses in a particular year have been excluded in order to prevent the reporting of statistically insignificant results. For countries without sufficient data, “N/A” appears in place of any information pertaining to the GBPI.

Grading Scale
F – Persecuting
0-9 %
10-19 %
20-29 %
30-39 %
40-49 %
50-59 %
D – Intolerant
60-69 %
C – Resistant
70-79 %
B – Tolerant
80-89 %
A – Protecting
90-100 %

Collaborators

The F&M Global Barometers has partnered with a range of organizations and individuals who have informed, developed, and supported the development and dissemination of the GBPI. 

Along with the Council for Global Equality, the GBPI has also received the support of LGBT dating apps (Grindr, Eden, and HER) and organizations including: Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, Center for Values in International Development, Franklin & Marshall College, Global Philanthropy Project, InterPride, Outright International, Safespace Alliance, and Tower Marketing. 

The 2024 GBPI benefited from the expertise and insights of the Global Outreach Advisory Council.

2024 F&M Global Barometers LGBTQI+ Perception Index™

6

Questions

38,811

Total
Responses

Survey Questions

  1. How safe do you feel living as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex person in your country?
  2. How safe do you feel gathering with other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex people in public?
  3. How accepted do you feel as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex person by your society?
  4. How frequently have you experienced discrimination in your day-to-day life because you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex person?
  5. How fearful are you of being arrested, harassed, or blackmailed by security forces/police because you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex person?
  6. How likely are you to be a victim of violence because you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex person?