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Country Overview

Estonia

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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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.

 

Global Impact

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.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Southwest Asia and North Africa

In the Southwest Asia and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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