Country Overview
Estonia
At a glance
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Among former Soviet countries, Estonia is considered one of the more liberal countries regarding rights of LGBTIQ people. In June 2023, as a result of tireless advocacy by civil society, Estonia became the first Baltic country to introduce marriage equality, also making it possible for same-sex couples to adopt. Opposition parties tried unsuccessfully to halt the adoption process by submitting over 700 amendments to the Family Law. In 2023, the Estonian Human Rights Centre’s poll found that 53 percent of Estonians, including as many as 75 percent of those in their twenties, supported marriage equality, compared to 34 percent in 2012.
In 2024, the government committed to developing a national LGBTI equal‑opportunities action plan, with particular attention to the well-being of trans people. This plan, approved in 2025, aims to strengthen protections across education, health care, and the legal system.
Civil society groups continue to advocate for legal gender recognition based on self-determination, hate speech and hate crimes legislation, and comprehensive nondiscrimination laws.
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Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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