LGBTQ+ Rights in 2025: Progress and Pushback

Human Rights Research Center
Aug 14, 2025
14 min read

August 14, 2025

LGBTQ rights demonstrators rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 2019. [Image credit: Getty/Saul Loeb/AFP]

As many members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies celebrated Pride Month in June, LGBTQ+ individuals around the world still face significant challenges in their fight for equity. We often hear about countries in the Global South or Far East with harsh laws, such as Nigeria, where same-sex marriage is criminalized, or parts of the Middle East, where gender identities outside the male-female binary are not recognized. However, recent developments in Western countries also warrant concern. This article will discuss several new policy changes implemented by the Trump administration that have limited the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and the UK Supreme Court's ruling regarding the legal definition of a person's sex, along with similar trends in European countries governed by conservative or far-right parties.

United States

One of President Trump’s first executive orders in 2025 attacked gender identity. This order redefined the federal government's understanding of gender by recognizing only two categories: male and female, effectively erasing the existence of trans and non-binary people. Federal agencies are now required to replace the term "gender" with "sex". In addition, all federal funding for gender-affirming care has ended, and gender self-identification on federal documents like passports is no longer permitted (Mirsch, Houlis, and Yu, 2025). Trump's executive order also halted efforts by the previous Biden administration to extend Title IX discrimination protections to transgender students (Schultz, 2025) and sought to cut federal funding from schools who teach “certain topics related to race, sex, gender or politics” in K-12 education. These restrictions prevent educators from discussing certain historical, social, or political topics because Trump and his administration believed students were being indoctrinated (Alfonseca, Walsh, and Stoddart, 2025).

As the country has progressed further into the Trump presidency, he has continued to regress LGBTQ+ rights by nominating advisors to his cabinet and other key positions who are vocally anti-LGBTQ+, censoring LGBTQ+ history and resources on government websites, attempting to defund HIV research, and removing at least $125 million in funding for LGBTQ+ academic research (GLAAD, 2025, also see Ryan and Bendix, 2025). More recently, a leaked budget draft revealed that the federal government has proposed eliminating funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services hotline, which would come into effect on October 1st of this year. Since its implementation in 2022, this program has provided “more than 1.2 million crisis contacts with life-saving, LGBTQ+-inclusive crisis services” (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2025). Trump has also banned transgender people from serving in the military. He argues that the sexual identity of transgender service members “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in their personal lives,” and claims it is detrimental to military readiness (Sherman, 2025). In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a policy giving military services 30 days to determine how to identify and remove transgender service members from the forces (Sherman, 2025). It is important to note that transgender individuals have been serving openly in the armed forces for the past four years, with no evidence of issues that would justify a sudden ban (Sherman, 2025).

Despite these regressive policies, members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and advocacy groups continue to fight back against these injustices. For example, this past February, nine LGBTQ+ and HIV prevention organizations across six states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenged the implementation of three anti-trans and anti-DEI executive orders that threatened to defund these organizations. The federal courts agreed to their injunction, effectively blocking the executive order (Monteil, 2025).

In another example, fifteen state attorney generals formed a coalition to protect gender-affirming medical care for trans youth aged 19 and under, which Trump sought to eliminate with his executive order. The all-Democrat coalition of attorney generals stated, “Gender-affirming care is essential, lifesaving medical treatment that supports individuals in living as their authentic selves” (Riedel, 2025). These attorney generals have committed to continuing to “enforce state laws that provide access to gender-affirming care” and “challenge any unlawful efforts by the Trump administration” to restrict access to this care in their jurisdictions (Riedel, 2025). Importantly, these discriminatory and harmful policy attempts by Trump have not prevented advocacy groups from continuing to legally challenge his administration, and Pride marches across the country persisted, even amid significant funding cuts (Czachor, 2025).

United Kingdom

On April 16 of this year, the UK Supreme Court ruled that "sex" in law refers to a person's sex assigned at birth. This ruling legally defines a woman based on biological sex, which undermines the existence of transgender individuals and threatens their rights. This ruling follows a heated debate in the UK, particularly in Scotland, where trans people have been portrayed as a “threat to others’ safety and their lived experiences ignored” (Human Rights Watch, 2025). The context of this ruling is in response to a 2018 law passed in the Scottish Parliament requiring that half of the board members in all Scottish public organizations be women. Transgender women were included in this quota to ensure gender balance, provided they held a Gender Recognition Certificate identifying them as female (Frayer, 2025, also see Hatton, 2025).

A gender-critical feminist campaigning group called For Women Scotland argued that sex-based protections should apply only to those born female, claiming that the law could affect single-sex services for women, such as “abuse shelters, hospital wards, and sports" (Frayer, 2025). The Scottish courts ruled against the campaigning group in 2022, a decision that was later appealed to the UK Supreme Court. The Supreme Court overturned the Scottish courts' decision, ruling that the definition of “sex” under the “Equality Act 2010 is “binary” and “based on biological sex” (Hatton, 2025). The ruling concluded that individuals not born biologically female cannot access the legal protections the Act affords women by obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate. However, the Act continues to provide protection against discrimination for transgender people.

The court ruling enables authorities to prohibit trans people from accessing single-sex spaces that align with their gender identity, even if they have official gender recognition from the government (Human Rights Watch, 2025). While gender critical feminists often discuss the exclusion of trans women in single-sex spaces, it is important to consider how this ruling affects trans men. The judgment means that trans men could be excluded from men’s single-sex spaces. However, they may also face exclusion from women-only spaces, despite being born female, particularly if they have a more masculine appearance due to the gender transition process (Alge, 2025).

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have also produced new guidance issued in response to the Supreme Court ruling. The guidance states that trans people may be prevented from using single-sex facilities that align with their gender, and, in some cases, even those that correspond to their biological sex. The guidance notes that if a trans woman or trans man presents in an obviously feminine or masculine way, their presence in a single-sex space could lead to “reasonable objection” from entering a single-sex facility (Perry, 2025). It further indicates that offering gender-neutral facilities is not essential, and that certain spaces, such as “gyms, swimming pools, or venues,” could be required to designate their changing rooms or toilets as single-sex (Hansford, 2025).

The trans community and allies are pushing back against the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC’s interim guidance on single-sex spaces. Demonstrations have already been held across the UK, and a major lobby occurred at the end of June in Westminster (Perry, 2025). As part of the Unite for Trans Rights campaign, the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance led a mass lobby, which hundreds of protestors attended. In addition, at the end of July, more than 100,000 people attended the 2025 London Trans+ Pride march, making it one of the largest turnouts on record (Riedel, 2025).

Across Europe

While the United States and the United Kingdom have recently made headlines for rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, specifically affecting the trans community, other countries across Europe are following a similar trend, especially those governed by conservative or far-right parties. For instance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative stance has steered Italy toward more traditionalist values, including placing restrictions on parental rights by limiting legal recognition to biological parents in same-sex couples (Barry, 2023). In 2023, state prosecutors in northern Italy demanded the cancellation of 33 birth certificates of children born to lesbian couples, some dating back to 2017 (Di Grado, 2024). That same year, Meloni called on local councils to stop registering the children of same-sex couples (GenderGP, 2023), and in October 2024, the Italian Senate approved legislation criminalizing surrogacy abroad, with penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to €1 million (Human Rights Watch, 2025). This law disproportionately impacts same-sex couples, particularly as Italian doctors retain the authority to approve fertility treatments on a case-by-case basis (Di Grado, 2024).

In March 2025, Italy’s far-right Lega Party introduced a bill aiming to ban discussions of gender identity, gender fluidity, and sexual orientation in schools, as well as eliminating the use of inclusive language (All Out, 2025). However, there have been some positive developments for Italy’s LGBTQ+ community. This past May, Italy’s Constitutional Court ruled that two women can be registered as parents on a child’s birth certificate. The court clarified that parental rights in same-sex families are not limited to biological mothers alone and found it unconstitutional to deny legal recognition to both parents (Winfield, 2025).

Hungary is another European country with strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws prohibiting legal gender recognition, same-sex marriage, and joint adoption by same-sex couples (Equaldex, 2025). Most recently, in a parliamentary vote last March, LGBTQ+ Pride events were also banned. Members of Hungary’s Parliament amended the right of assembly, restricting public events to those that “respect the right of children to proper physical, mental, and moral development” (Luckhurst, 2025). Opposition groups of Hungary’s Pride marches argue that demonstrations by the LGBTQ+ community pose a threat to minors despite a lack of evidence. Under the new amendment, attendees and organizers can face large fines, and authorities are permitted to use facial recognition technology to identify participants (Le Monde, 2025).

In defiance of the new ruling, thousands of protesters took to the streets, forming a blockade on Margaret Bridge over the River Danube. In April, protesters gathered to mock Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s nationalist policies and his crackdown on LGBTQ+ Pride events by organizing a Gray Pride demonstration. The event was led by a small satirical group called the Two-Tailed Dog Party (MKKP). Participants dressed entirely in gray and carried humorous signs with slogans like “Sameness is trendy” and “Censorship” (Le Monde, 2025). Most importantly, Orbán’s amendment did not prevent people from gathering at Budapest Pride in June. It was estimated that around 180,000 to 200,000 people marched in this year’s event (Luckhurst, 2025, also see The Associated Press, 2025; Rutai and Kassam, 2025).

Although setbacks, particularly in the United States and across Europe, can feel disheartening, advocacy groups and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community and allies continue to fight against restrictive laws that impede the right to love freely and live authentically. In a significant step towards equality, a once deeply conservative Greece legalized marriage and adoption for same-sex couples at the start of last year (Gregory, 2024). Similarly, same-sex civil unions were legalized in the Czech Republic at the start of this year (Hovet and Lopatka, 2024), while Poland ended its remaining “LGBT Ideology Free” zones (Knight, 2025). Pride has always been a protest and stands as a testament to the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities around the world in the ongoing fight for equality in the face of injustice. Though Pride Month has ended, it remains paramount for allies and organizations committed to the preservation of human rights to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community as they strive to defend their rights.

Resources

If you are located in North America and looking for resources here are a few organizations you can reach out to for LGBTQ+ support.

The Trevor Project: They offer a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline specifically for LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24). You can reach them by phone at 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or chat online at thetrevorproject.org/get-help.
The LGBT National Youth Talkline: This talk line, operated by the LGBT National Help Center, serves callers up to age 25, offering information, support, and local resources. The number is 800-246-7743.
Trans Lifeline: This is a confidential 24/7 peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning people. You can reach them at 1-877-565-8860 in the United States and 1-877-330-6366 in Canada.

Glossary

Binary - Binary refers to something composed of two parts. In the context of gender, the term gender binary describes a social system that classifies people strictly into two distinct and opposing categories: male and female. This framework assumes that a person’s sex assigned at birth determines their gender identity and societal roles.
Cabinet - In a US political context, a cabinet is the committee of advisors to the President of the United States that makes up the heads of the executive departments of the government.
Conservative - In a political and social context, being conservative means believing in the preservation of traditional institutions, values, and practices. Conservatives tend to favor limited government intervention and often prioritize social order, national security, and the maintenance of existing power structures.
DEI - DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It is a framework aimed at fostering fair, inclusive, and welcoming environments for all individuals, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented or marginalized. DEI initiatives ensure that diverse perspectives are valued and that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and resources.
Disproportionately - Disproportionately is when something is either too large or too small in comparison to something else.
Equality Act 2010 - The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace and wider society in the United Kingdom. It establishes a legal framework to prevent direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization based on protected characteristics, including cases where a person is perceived to have, or is associated with someone who has protected characteristics.
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom, established under the Equality Act 2006. It is responsible for promoting and enforcing equality and non-discrimination laws across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Executive Order - An executive order is an official directive issued by the President of the United States. It allows the president to manage operations within the executive branch of the government without needing congressional approval. Executive orders are legally binding for federal agencies and officials.
Facial Recognition Technology - Facial recognition technology is a biometric system used to identify or verify individuals by analyzing their facial features from digital images or videos. It works by creating a digital representation of a person's face and comparing it to a database to find a match, similar to how fingerprint recognition operates.
Far-Right - The far-right represents a political ideology and movement linked to individuals on the extreme right of the political spectrum. This ideology is often characterized by extreme nationalism, nativism, and authoritarian tendencies. Examples of far-right groups include Neo-Nazis, Neo-Fascists, and white nationalists. Some far-right groups have engaged in violence and terrorism, while others operate within mainstream politics.
Feminist - A feminist is someone who advocates for women's rights and supports political, economic, and social equality between the sexes.
Fertility Treatments -Fertility treatments are medical procedures or interventions that help individuals or couples conceive a child when they are unable to do so naturally.
Gender-Affirming Care - Gender-affirming care encompasses a range of medical, psychological, social, and behavioral interventions that support an individual’s gender identity. This patient-centered approach is primarily designed to help transgender and nonbinary individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. It may include hormone therapy, surgical procedures, and other supportive services.
Gender-critical Feminist - A gender-critical feminist is someone who prioritizes the significance of biological sex over gender identity. They typically argue that biological sex is the defining factor in determining a person’s status as a woman and often express concerns or opposition to aspects of transgender identities and related rights.
Gender Fluidity - Gender fluidity is the concept that gender identity is not fixed and can change over time. A gender-fluid person may identify with multiple genders or no gender at all.
Gender Recognition Certificate - A Gender Recognition Certificate is a legal document in the United Kingdom that enables a transgender person to have their affirmed gender legally recognized. With this certificate, individuals can update their birth certificate and other official documents to reflect their gender identity.
Gender Self-Identification - Gender self-identification, also known as gender self-determination, is the concept that an individual’s gender identity is a personal and internal sense of self. As such, individuals have the right to define, express, and live in accordance with the gender they identify with. Under this framework, a person's legal sex and gender are determined by their self-identified gender, without the need for medical or judicial approval.
Indoctrinated - Indoctrinated is to teach a person or group of people to accept a set of beliefs without question.
Jurisdictions - Jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court or legal body to make decisions regarding legal matters. It determines which courts have the right to make rulings based on factors such as geographic location, subject matter, and the parties involved.
LGBT Ideology Free zone - Municipalities and regions in Poland declared themselves free of LGBT ideology. These zones started in 2019 and spanned across nearly a third of the country. They were primarily symbolic and not legally enforceable. These zones attempted to exclude and indirectly discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals, framed as a measure to protect societal morals and children.
Lega Party - The Lega Party, officially known as Lega per Salvini Premier, is a right-wing populist political party in Italy led by Matteo Salvini. The party is known for its anti-immigration stance and Eurosceptic views.
Lobby - In the United Kingdom, a lobby refers to a coordinated event where a large number of people contact their MPs and members of the House of Lords in advance to arrange meetings with them in Parliament on the same day. Lobbies are organized to express public concern or support for a specific issue and to influence political decision-making.
Minors - In the context of this article, a minor refers to an individual who is under the age of full legal responsibility.
Nationalist - A nationalist is an individual or group that strongly identifies with their nation and prioritizes its interests, sometimes at the expense of other nations. Nationalists often view their country of birth as their rightful homeland and advocate for self-governance without external interference. While nationalism is not inherently aligned with any specific political ideology, it is frequently associated with far-right movements.
Regress - Regress is the act of returning to a former or less developed condition.
Reasonable Objection - A reasonable objection is a justifiable reason to disagree or refuse to do something, specifically in legal and formal contexts.
Satirical - Satirical content humorously criticizes individuals or ideas, often to highlight flaws or make a political statement.
Sexual Orientation - Sexual orientation refers to what gender or genders a person is attracted to both romantically and sexually.
Solidarity - Solidarity is a feeling of unity or agreement, particularly among individuals with a common interest or belief.
State Attorney General - The State Attorney General is the chief legal officer and highest law enforcement official in their state, commonwealth, or territory. They serve as the state government’s legal advisor, represent the state in legal matters, and act on behalf of the public interest. Their responsibilities include handling civil and criminal cases, consumer protection, environmental law, and other legal issues.
Surrogacy - Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman carries and gives birth to a baby on behalf of another person or couple, who will be the intended legal parent(s). It is a form of assisted reproductive technology that offers a path to parenthood for individuals or couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term.
Trans - A trans person or a person who is transgender does not feel that their gender identity matches the sex registered to them at birth.
Title IX - Title IX is a U.S. federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funding. It guarantees equal access to educational opportunities and provides protections against discrimination, harassment, and violence based on sex.
Two-Tailed Dog Party (MKKP) - The MKKP is a satirical political party in Hungary, founded in 2006 and officially registered in 2014. Their primary activities include creating street art, stencils, and posters that parody Hungary’s political elite.
Quota - Quota is a fixed minimum or maximum number of individuals from a specific group who are permitted to participate in an activity or role.

Sources

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LGBTQ+ Rights in 2025: Progress and Pushback

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