Acceptance of homosexuality improves worldwide – Radar

Support has grown from Kenya to the United States, the study found. On average, 52 percent of respondents in 34 countries said they accept homosexuality, compared to 38 percent who are not yet ready.

“In general, we see changes that point to acceptance rather than less,” says Jacob Poushter, director of behavioral research at the American think tank.

Regional differences

In many countries, there has been a significant increase in the acceptance of homosexuality compared to the first survey in 2002. In South Africa, among other things, there was an increase of 21 percentage points, in South Korea by 19 percentage points. Since the first survey in India in 2014, we have also seen a 22 percentage point increase there.

Same-sex sex is still banned in 68 countries

However, there are many regional differences to homosexuality, with a majority in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East saying that homosexuality should not be accepted. In America and Western Europe, there are more and more people who are addressing the issue.

According to the researchers, openness to LGBT issues is also strongly linked to the degree of economic development of a region. For example, countries like Sweden have a much more positive view of homosexuality than low-income countries, such as Nigeria.

Gay rights

LGBT legislation has grown sharply worldwide: since the Netherlands became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001, 27 other Member States united nations with legislation that allows marriage for gays and lesbians.

The long-term trend is an increasing acceptance of homosexuality

However, sex between people of the same sex remains illegal in 68 countries, Data from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). In six countries, you risk the death penalty.

Many of the countries that criminalise homosexuality are in Africa, but at the same time there are a lot of changes on this continent. There was a vote in Gabon this week to undo the country’s anti-gay laws.

Young people milder

Remarkably, the Pew Research Center also says that new laws have less impact on attitudes such as other factors such as wealth, education, age, or religion. “The long-term trend is an increasing acceptance of homosexuality, but it seems to be less influenced by a change in the law,” says Poushter. “Demographic factors tend to drive change much more.”

For example, young people are much more likely than older people to take in homosexuals. For example, 80 percent of South Koreans between the ages of 18 and 29 are okay with homosexuality, compared to only 23 percent of those over 50.

The Research between 13 May and 2 October last year in 38,426 people in 34 countries.

This article originally appeared on Thomson Reuters Foundation News.

Support has grown from Kenya to the United States, the study found. On average, 52 percent of respondents in 34 countries say that homosexuality should be accepted, compared to 38 percent who are not yet ready.” In general, we see changes that point to acceptance rather than less,” says Jacob Poushter, director of behavioral research at the American think tank. In many countries, there has been a significant increase in the acceptance of homosexuality compared to the first survey in 2002. In South Africa, among other things, there was an increase of 21 percentage points, in South Korea by 19 percentage points. Since the first survey in India in 2014, we have also seen a 22 percentage point increase there. However, there are many regional differences to homosexuality, with a majority in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East saying that homosexuality should not be accepted. In America and Western Europe, there are more and more people who are addressing the issue. According to the researchers, openness to LGBT issues is also strongly linked to the degree of economic development of a region. Countries like Sweden, for example, have a much more positive view of homosexuality than low-income countries, such as Nigeria. Globally, LGBT legislation has grown sharply: since the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, 27 other United Nations member states have followed a law allowing marriage for gays and lesbians. However, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), same-sex sex is still illegal in 68 countries. In six countries, you risk the death penalty. Many of the countries that criminalise homosexuality are in Africa, but at the same time there are a lot of changes on this continent. There was a vote in Gabon this week to undo the country’s anti-gay laws. Remarkably, the Pew Research Center also says that new laws have less impact on attitudes such as other factors such as wealth, education, age, or religion. “The long-term trend is an increasing acceptance of homosexuality, but it seems to be less influenced by a change in the law,” says Poushter. “Demographic factors tend to drive change much more.” For example, young people are much more likely than older people to take in homosexuals. For example, 80 percent of South Koreans between the ages of 18 and 29 are okay with homosexuality, compared to only 23 percent of those over 50. The study was carried out between 13 May and 2 October last year on 38,426 people in 34 countries. This article originally appeared on Thomson Reuters Foundation News.