A Viral Rumor Sparks Concern

The Rumor in Question

Recently, a claim has been making the rounds across social media platforms: “18 countries have dropped trans people and now recognize only LGB identities.” This assertion has generated alarm within the LGBTQ+ community. However, after thorough investigation, no credible source confirms this claim. No official evidence exists to support the existence of such a widespread policy shift.

Legal Realities: Trans Rights Under Pressure

While no government has formally removed the “T” from LGBT policies, several nations have enacted laws that effectively undermine the rights of trans people. These legislative moves have sparked international concerns among human rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates alike.

• Hungary: In 2020, the country passed a law banning the legal recognition of gender changes.
• Russia: In 2023, the government outlawed gender-affirming medical care and restricted the legal recognition of gender transition.
• United States: Several states have introduced laws limiting access to healthcare for trans youth and restricting their participation in sports.

In these jurisdictions, legal protections for LGB individuals based on sexual orientation may still exist, but trans rights are often explicitly targeted or neglected.

Rifts Within Activism

The confusion surrounding trans exclusion is also fueled by internal divisions within LGBTQ+ advocacy itself. Organizations like LGB Alliance in the UK and LGB International have distanced themselves from the broader LGBTQ+ community by excluding trans individuals from their platforms. These groups argue for focusing solely on sexual orientation, suggesting that trans issues complicate or dilute their core message.

Nonetheless, the vast majority of LGBTQ+ organizations strongly condemn these splinters, emphasizing that the fight against homophobia and transphobia must remain united.

Misinformation Gone Viral

The supposed list of “18 countries” abandoning trans rights appears to be a viral hoax rather than a factual report. Neither the United Nations, ILGA World, Human Rights Watch, nor any other reputable human rights organization has confirmed such a trend.

What is actually happening:

• Anti-trans legislation has been enacted in several regions worldwide.
• Certain LGB activist groups have chosen to isolate themselves from the LGBT+ umbrella.
• Politically conservative governments are leveraging division—pitting LGB rights against trans rights—to weaken the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.

A Fight That Continues

The global landscape for LGBTQIA+ rights is far from uniform. Countries like Spain, Argentina, Canada, and Germany continue to make strides in trans rights recognition. Meanwhile, others—such as Russia and Hungary—are moving in the opposite direction, enacting laws that limit or erase legal protections for trans individuals.

The rumor about the “18 countries” may reflect a genuine fear, but it drastically oversimplifies a much more nuanced global reality.

👉 In short: No countries have officially dropped trans people from their policies in favor of a “LGB-only” recognition. However, trans rights are being actively challenged in several parts of the world—highlighting the continued need for vigilance and advocacy.

Latest LGBTQIA+ News