
Country Overview
Estonia
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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Among all of the former Soviet countries, Estonia is considered one of the more liberal countries in terms of the rights of LGBTIQ people. In June 2023, Estonia became the first Baltic country to introduce marriage equality, making it possible for same-sex couples to get married and adopt. This was the result of tireless advocacy by civil society. Opposition parties tried 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, support marriage equality, compared to 34 percent in 2012.
Civil society groups continue advocating for legal gender recognition based on self-determination, hate speech and hate crimes legislation, and comprehensive non-discrimination laws.
*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.
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