The Uneven Progress of LGBTQI+ Rights in the EU: A Comparative Analysis of Determinants

Over the past two decades, LGBTQI+ rights have progressed significantly across Europe, yet stark disparities remain. While some countries have made substantial advances, others, like Italy, lag behind, highlighting persistent inequalities across the continent. By relying on an original dataset coding LGBTIQ+ equality policies from 2010 to 2024, this paper investigates the determinants of LGBTQI+ (in-)equality in the EU27. To explain these differences, we analyze political, institutional, and cultural factors. Political factors include the ideological positioning of parties in government and parliament, the structure of the party system, the presence of Christian parties and their participation in government, and the share of women in government and parliament. Institutional factors encompass the quality of democracy, years since democratization, years since EU accession, and the form of government. Finally, cultural factors such as secularization and gender equality are also considered. This comprehensive approach aims to shed light on the complex interplay of forces shaping LGBTQI+ rights across Europe.