ILGA-Europe, The European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, has released its 2015 ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, reflecting the National legal and policy human rights situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and interest (LGBTI) people in Europe. Iceland came in 8th place in their 2014 Index but drops down to number 12th on the list. The total score for Iceland remains about the same (63%) but Malta’s rise to 3rd in ILGA´s 2015 rating is undoubtedly the most eye-catching story of the 2015 Rainbow Map.

United Kingdom is on top of this year´s list (86% score), with Belgium coming in second place (83%) and Malta comes 3rd (79%) and jumps 8 places since 2014. At the bottom of the list are Armenia (9%), Russia (8%) and Azerbaijan (5%). “We witnessed several countries making historic strides, while others have stalled in terms of their equality development.” commented Paulo Côrte-Real, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board. “The vital ingredient, present in so many of the countries who have climbed in our Rainbow Map rankings, was unshakable leadership from political figures and activist leaders, often in challenging contexts.”

Read the full story on ILGA´s webiste or download ILGA´s complete list of countries.