Queering Democracy: The Global Elections in 2024 and How LGBTIQ People Fared

© 2025 Outright International.

Queering Democracy examines how LGBTIQ people navigated, participated in, and shaped electoral processes across 60 countries and the European Union during this historic year. From Brazil to Botswana, from the European Union to Indonesia, this comprehensive report reveals both the barriers faced and the victories achieved by sexual and gender minorities in their fight for political inclusion.

Key Findings: Hate as a Campaign Strategy vs. Queer Resilience

LGBTIQ People Made History Despite Barriers

Across the globe, queer candidates broke new ground in political representation. The report documents how LGBTIQ individuals and organizations worked tirelessly to raise political awareness, ensure electoral integrity, and secure their place in democratic processes—even when faced with criminalization, violence, and systemic discrimination.

Hate Became a Campaign Strategy in Elections

In at least 51 of the 61 jurisdictions studied, political candidates weaponized anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric for electoral gain. Politicians demonized “gender ideology,” labeled LGBTIQ people as “foreign agents,” and scapegoated sexual and gender minorities to deflect from policy failures. In some countries, elections devolved into what one observer called “a competition of who was the most homophobic.”

Queer Communities Defended Democracy

When authoritarian movements threatened democratic institutions, LGBTIQ people showed up. From Bangladesh’s July revolution to anti-authoritarian protests in Türkiye, queer communities mobilized not just for their own rights but in solidarity with all marginalized groups—understanding that their fates were intertwined with the health of democracy itself.

What’s Inside the “Queering Democracy” Report?

Building on previous research by Outright International and complementing the GLIDE 2024 Landscape Analysis, this report offers:

• Global Overview: Trends and developments in LGBTIQ political participation, and the inclusion of LGBTIQ issues in political campaigning
• 11 In-Depth Case Studies: Detailed examinations of electoral dynamics in key countries
• 12 Country Snapshots: Focused analyses of specific electoral contexts
• 38 Compendium Entries: Comprehensive coverage of all 61 jurisdictions

Concrete Recommendations: Actionable steps for governments, electoral bodies, civil society organizations, and international institutions

Download the Full Report (PDF)