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Looking to move abroad? Here are 10 countries LGBTQ+ people could consider

LGBTQIA friendly countries list photo gallery including Netherlands Germany Canada
Wut_Moppie/shutterstock; aushilfe444/shutterstock; Sandor Szmutko/shutterstock

Thinking of a move abroad after Donald Trump's reelection? These are some possibilities.


LGBTQIA friendly countries list photo gallery including Netherlands Germany CanadaWut_Moppie/shutterstock; aushilfe444/shutterstock; Sandor Szmutko/shutterstock

There was a whopping 300 percent surge in U.S. citizens searching for foreign destinations during the election, according to insurance company William Russell.

While many Americans are considering life abroad following Donald Trump's reelection, not everywhere is safe for LGBTQ+ people. But there are still several places that offer queer events, safety laws, parental rights, anti-discrimination laws, and medical rights.

Based on those categories and data from William Russell, here are the top countries for LGBTQ+ people looking to move out of the U.S. from.

9. Chile (tie)

Santiago de Chile city and the Cordillera de los Andes mountains covered with snow in the background

ALEXANDRE F FAGUNDES/shutterstock

Chile tied with the United Kingdom in its overall rating, but fell short in its anti-discrimination and safety index scores of 0.57 and 2.439, respectively. About 8 percent of its population identifies as LGBTQ+, and it does not have medical rights based on sex characteristics.

9. United Kingdom (tie)

Shoppers walking down a Soho street in London westend gayborhood UK

William Barton/shutterstock

An estimated 12 percent of the United Kingdom is LGBTQ+. The nation tied with Chile in its overall rating, but edged out the country in its anti-discrimination and safety index scores of 0.68 and 1.569, respectively. It does not have medical rights based on gender expression, and recently banned gender-affirming care for youth.

8. Portugal

View of Funchal and Fuerte De Madeira in the historical center Madeira Island Portugal

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Portugal earned an anti-discrimination score of 0.63, and a safety index score of 1.561. Its LGBTQ+ population is the lowest on the list at 7 percent, and it does not have medical rights based on sexual orientation.

7. Canada

Canada embassy with flags and banners celebrating LGBTQ Pride Parade

Sandor Szmutko/shutterstock

An estimated 10 percent of Canada's population are LGBTQ+. The country earned an anti-discrimination score of 0.62, and a safety index score of 1.660. However, it does not have medical rights based on sex characteristics.

6. Germany

berlin germany Brandenburg Gate Monument that is lit in the colors of the Rainbow Flag

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Germany has a high LGBTQ+ population of 11 percent, and high anti-discrimination and safety index scores of 0.77 and 1.58, respectively. However, it does not have medical rights based on gender expression or sex characteristics.

5. Sweden

Sweden Stockholm LGBTQIA Pride celebration

Andrii__Ivaniuk/shutterstock

Sweden earned an anti-discrimination score of 0.75, and a safety index score of 1.535. An estimated 11 percent of the country's population are LGBTQ+. However, it does not have medical rights based on sex characteristics.

4. Belgium

BRUGES BELGIUM Chocolate shop with a big variety of sweets

Cristian Puscasu/shutterstock

An estimated 9 percent of Belgium's population are LGBTQ+. The country earned an anti-discrimination score of 0.77, and a safety index score of 1.697. It has full adoption, marriage and medical rights.

3. Spain

rainbow dancer at LGBTQIA Pride parade in Barcelona Spain

davide bonaldo/shutterstock

Spain has the second-highest LGBTQ+ population of all countries analyzed at 14 percent. It has an anti-discrimination score of 0.71, and a safety index score of 1.691. There are also over 20 events held for the LGBTQ+ community in the country.

2. Australia

AUSTRALIA Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera Hopuse lit in vibrant colours

Leah-Anne Thompson/shutterstock

Residents have been protected against discrimination when accessing healthcare since 2013, and same-sex marriage was legalized in all states and territories in 2017. Approximately 10 percent of the population identifies as LGBTQ+.

1. Netherlands

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS lgbtqia Pride parades boat in canal rainbow flags

Wut_Moppie/shutterstock

The Netherlands earned an impressive safety index score of 1.482 out of five and an anti-discrimination score of 0.80 out of one. It’s estimated that 12 percent of the country’s population identifies as LGBTQ+.

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Ryan Adamczeski

Ryan is a staff writer at the Advocate, and a graduate of New York University Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing, with a focus in television writing and comedy. She first became a published author at the age of 15 with her YA novel 'Someone Else's Stars', and is now a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics. In her free time, Ryan likes watching New York Rangers hockey, listening to the Beach Boys, and practicing witchcraft.

Ryan is a staff writer at the Advocate, and a graduate of New York University Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing, with a focus in television writing and comedy. She first became a published author at the age of 15 with her YA novel 'Someone Else's Stars', and is now a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics. In her free time, Ryan likes watching New York Rangers hockey, listening to the Beach Boys, and practicing witchcraft.