North Macedonia

Although same-sex relations are legal, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is banned, LGBTIQ people routinely face violence and discrimination. Far-right political parties and anti-gender groups publicly oppose the rights of LGBTIQ people. LGBTIQ activists have faced death threats, vandalism, and even physical attacks. There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples, and although transgender people may change their legal gender markers, they must first undergo medical intervention. The Orthodox Church is particularly active in waging campaigns against legislation that is perceived to benefit LGBTIQ communities. Public opinion is largely unaccepting of LGBTIQ people. North Macedonia ranks 133 out of 175 countries on the Global Acceptance Index, while in 2023, a survey found that over half of the population supports sex education but prefers to exclude LGBTIQ topics. There remain signs of progress, including the decision of a Skopje court to sentence a person to prison time for attacking an LGBTIQ activist in 2022 on the basis of identity-motivated violence.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.