Methodology

Quantifiable. Expert. Reliable.

The F&M Global Barometer of Gay Rights (GBGR®) and F&M Global Barometer of Transgender Rights (GBTR™) utilize a unique methodology combining quantitative research design with qualitative, real-world perspective. Fundamental principles of human rights inform the items on our barometers, which are operationalized using binary variables (1 or 0).

The data has been reviewed by 50+ peer review experts in over 40 countries, including academic scholars, grassroots activists, policy professionals, and local organizations.

Classification

Nations are grouped into regions based on the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) country classifications. The GBGR® features 27 items and the GBTR™ features 15 items. Items are chosen based on the availability of reliable data for 203 countries and categorized into the five domains below.

De Jure Protection

The de jure protection domain measures the extent to which a country’s constitution and laws protect the fundamental human rights of SOGI minorities. While the a priori function of the state is to protect its citizens, states may discriminate in carrying out this responsibility by criminalizing SOGI minorities and denying them the right to serve or marry.

De Facto (Civil & Political) Protection

The de facto protection domain considers the ability of a state to implement laws that ensure the protection of SOGI minorities. It is assumed that states that do not criminalize SOGI minorities will also provide legal protections, such as freedom from arbitrary arrest or the right to a fair trial. However, negative societal attitudes and the influence of regressive political elites may circumvent protective laws, creating conditions where SOGI minorities are deprived of legal protections.

LGBT Rights Advocacy

The LGBT Rights Advocacy domain indicates state sanction or suppression of SOGI minority attempts to organize visibly in society. Effective LGBT organization is necessary to further SOGI human rights. States, with their monopoly on legitimate force, may use police forces to protect or impede SOGI minorities’ freedom of association.

Socioeconomic Rights

Based on the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Socioeconomic Rights domain signals SOGI minorities’ ability to seek and enjoy socioeconomic opportunities without discrimination. Anti-discrimination laws in housing and employment are a baseline measure of a state’s commitment to protecting SOGI socioeconomic rights.

Societal Persecution

The Societal Persecution domain describes whether SOGI minorities are targeted for violence or murder based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. It measures the ability of SOGI minorities to seek redress from state authorities in cases of unequal treatment or discriminatory violence, as well as the state’s ability to restore justice in such cases.

The F&M Global Barometer of Gay Rights®

The F&M GBGR® measures state-level human rights of sexual minorities worldwide.
204Countries
27Items
5Categories
163,404Points of Data
1
De Jure Protection of Sexual Minorities
  1. No death penalty for sexual orientation
  2. No life sentence for sexual orientation
  3. No prison for sexual orientation
  4. No criminalization of sexual orientation
  5. Hate speech laws includes sexual orientation
  6. Hate crimes legislation includes sexual orientation
  7. Sexual minorities are not restricted or banned from serving in the military
  8. Civil unions for sexual minorities are allowed
  9. Same-sex marriage is allowed
2
De Facto (Civil & Political) Protection of Sexual Minorities
  1. Freedom from arbitrary arrest based on sexual orientation
  2. Head of state supports legalization of homosexuality
  3. Head of state supports same-sex civil unions / same-sex marriage
  4. Majority of citizens are accepting of homosexuality
  5. Sexual minorities have the right to privacy
  6. Sexual orientation does not prejudice the right to a fair trial
3
LGBT Rights Advocacy
  1. LGBT organizations are allowed to legally register (by the state)
  2. National LGBT rights organizations exist
  3. LGBT rights organizations are able to peacefully and safely assemble
  4. LGBT pride events are allowed by the state
  5. Security forces provide protection to LGBT pride participants
4
Socioeconomic Rights
  1. Workplace anti-discrimination laws include sexual orientation
  2. Fair housing anti-discrimination laws include sexual orientation
5
Societal Persecution
  1. No known acts of murder against sexual minorities
  2. No known acts of violence against sexual minorities
  3. Crimes based on sexual orientation are reported to police
  4. Same-sex couples are allowed to jointly adopt
  5. Individuals are not discriminated against in access to medical treatment because of their sexual orientation

The F&M Global Barometer of Transgender Rights™

The F&M GBTR™ measures state-level human rights of gender identity minorities worldwide.
204Countries
17Items
5Categories
108,324Points of Data
1
De Jure Protection of Gender Identity Minorities
  1. No criminalization of gender identity or expression
  2. Gender identity minorities are not restricted or banned from serving in the military
  3. Country has legal recognition of gender identity
  4. No physiological alteration requirement for legal gender recognition
  5. No psychiatric diagnosis requirement for legal gender recognition
2
De Facto (Civil & Political) Protection of Gender Identity Minorities
  1. Freedom from arbitrary arrest based on gender identity or expression
3
LGBT Rights Advocacy
  1. LGBT organizations are allowed to legally register (by the state)
  2. National LGBT rights organizations exist
  3. LGBT rights organizations are able to peacefully and safely assemble
  4. LGBT pride events are allowed by the state
  5. Security forces provide protection to LGBT pride participants
4
Socioeconomic Rights
  1. Workplace anti-discrimination laws include gender identity
  2. Fair housing anti-discrimination laws include gender identity
5
Societal Persecution
  1. No known acts of murder against gender identity minorities
  2. No known acts of violence against gender identity minorities
  3. Crimes based on gender identity are reported to police
  4. Individuals are not discriminated against in access to medical treatment because of their gender identity
The F&M Global Barometer of Gay Rights®
The F&M Global Barometer of Transgender Rights™

The Grading Scale

Countries have been graded and placed into five categories ranging from protecting to persecuting, or “A” to “F” respectively. Countries scoring an “A” are considered excellent, while countries that score an “F” receive a failing human rights report card.

F
0-59%
Persecuting
D
60-69%
Intolerant
C
70-79%
Resistant
B
80-89%
Tolerant
A
90-100%
Protecting
See The Results