Spain

Spain’s laws are progressive regarding LGBTIQ people, although social acceptance varies depending on the region. Same-sex couples can marry and adopt. A comprehensive law expanding legal protections for LGBTI people was adopted in 2023, allowing trans people to change their legal gender markers on the basis of self-determination, and prohibiting non-consensual medical intervention on intersex children. It also makes conversion practices a “very serious” administrative violation, punishable by a fine of 100,000 to 150,000 euros, even if carried out with the consent of the person concerned.

There are annual Pride marches in many cities, and Spain has had numerous openly LGBTIQ politicians. A large majority of people in Spain believe that LGBTIQ people should have the same rights as others and that trans people should be allowed to change their legal gender markers. However, hate crimes and anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric remain serious issues. According to the 2024 LGBTI+ Status Survey conducted by LGBTIQ organizations to analyze hate crimes against LGBTIQ communities, more than 57,000 reports of such crimes have been filed during the previous five years, with only 29 convictions. The report also denounces "an iceberg of underdetection," with many survivors not filing reports because they believe it is useless and fear that they may receive poor treatment from the police. The same research finds that 40 percent of LGBTIQ people have suffered some form of hate speech, with transgender people, lesbian women, and low-income LGBTIQ individuals being the most affected. Socioeconomic inequality remains an issue, as almost a third of LGBTIQ people in Spain are at risk of poverty, compared to 20 percent of the general population.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is respected and protected in this country.