Sweden Ranked Most Gay-Friendly Nation In Europe, Russia Finishes Last

The IGLA-Europe (European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) has ranked Sweden as the continent’s most gay-friendly nation. Via Rex Wockner @ Pink Paper:

The new edition of the group’s Rainbow Europe Country Index says Sweden is the only European nation that passes all the group’s tests in areas such as anti-discrimination protections, recognition of same-sex partnerships and parenting, hate-crime and hate-speech laws, plus equal age-of-consent laws. The index will not start tracking transgender issues until next year. “Our congratulations to (Sweden) for making sure its legislation and practices are fully inclusive and respectful of human rights of LGB people,” said ILGA-Europe board chair Martin K.I. Christensen.

Russia and Ukraine were ranked last.