That’s it, you’ve landed an internship abroad with International Horizons, and Portugal awaits you with open arms. But before you get too excited, let’s take a look at a crucial facet of European life: LGBT rights in Portugal: a must-read before your internship in Europe. Yeah, yeah, we know you’re here to work, but it’s essential to know the terrain you’ll be operating in, isn’t it? So, fasten your seatbelt and let’s explore this beautiful country of a thousand colors!
LGBT rights in Portugal: a must-read before your internship in Europe, a friendly land.
Men lie, but numbers don’t, said Kaaris. So let me start with a statistic: In 2020, Portugal recorded the lowest number of assaults related to sexual orientation or gender identity in the European Union. I’m not the one saying this, but the newspaper Público, which reports on a study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. If you want a source, here it is on courrier international (not horizons) Of course, in a perfect world, we’d all like there to be no aggression. But in the meantime, Portugal for your internship abroad is a wise choice if you’re looking for a safe country. If you want some fresh statistics: the Spartacus International Gay Travel Guide Index 2023 gave Portugal a good ranking (4). I noticed that Malta trusts P1: but unlike Malta this ranking doesn’t report any locals hostile to the community. Malta being a smaller country, I imagine it’s quicker to come across less friendly people. Although in our experience: no young people have reported any incidents. If you want to read more, click here.
The International Horizons team, as usual when preparing a destination for the opening to school groups, visited Porto. The general impression was of a very safe city, with open-minded people and no bad climate or atmosphere. We stayed for a week to get a feel for the city and its people. We also got to meet our host families, who gave us invaluable first-hand accounts of life in the city, as well as our partner, who will be our contact in Porto. Everyone was delighted with the destination, with its festive canons and overdue rendezvous.
Now that you’ve got the lay of the land for your internship abroad in Portugal, let’s dive into its rich cultural diversity. From Porto’s São João festivities to Lisbon’s lively music festivals, you’ll discover a lively palette of celebrations where inclusivity and diversity are in the spotlight. Imagine taking part in Lisbon Pride, (the bougs have totally made pride month. We’re not the last ones to show off!) where the streets are decked out in rainbow colors, creating an atmosphere of celebration and pride. Beyond the borders of LGBT rights, Portugal offers you a cultural immersion where every day is a new discovery.
In Portugal, LGBT rights have seen significant advances in recent years. The general atmosphere has become more inclusive and respectful of sexual and gender diversity. What a transition I’m giving myself here (yes, I’m self-loving, what are you going to do, you bastard).
LGBT rights in Portugal: read about the laws before your internship in Europe
I’ll give you a quick reminder of these famous advances, because it’s good to be vague, but we’re here to take stock and compare with France.
Marriage for all: In 2010, Portugal legalized same-sex marriage, becoming one of the first European countries to do so. This decision marked a major turning point towards equal rights for same-sex couples. Portugal has distinguished itself here by being three years ahead of France, for example.
Adoption: In 2016, the Portuguese government approved laws allowing same-sex couples to adopt children. This extended the rights of LGBT families and strengthened legal recognition of their parental relationships. France, meanwhile, had given the right to adoption at the same time as marriage.
Protection against discrimination: Portugal has laws in place to protect the LGBT community against discrimination. This includes legal provisions prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in various areas such as employment, housing and access to goods and services: Let’s recap the key measures:
In 2013, the Portuguese Parliament passed a law incorporating gender identity into the hate crime provisions of the Penal Code. On January 19, 2015, the Portuguese Parliament voted to include gender identity as a protected ground for discrimination in employment.
In 2015, the Portuguese Parliament unanimously approved a measure to officialize May 17 as the “National Day against Homophobia and Transphobia”. In doing so, the Parliament pledged to “respect national and international commitments in the fight against homophobic and transphobic discrimination”.
In 2020, ILGA Portugal (I mentioned this earlier) recorded 41 cases of discrimination against LGBT people and 48 cases of hate crimes. In December 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport fined the Portuguese Football Federation €1,000 and ordered them to play four matches behind closed doors (each match behind closed doors costing between €10,000 and €25,000) for homophobic insults uttered by fans at a match in October 2018. A survey conducted in December 2020 revealed that 79% of young people had witnessed incidents of anti-LGBT harassment, and 86% felt that schools should better address LGBT issues.
Recognition of non-binary genders: Portugal has also taken steps to recognize and respect the gender identity of non-binary people. This recognition contributes to greater visibility and acceptance of gender diversity.
Reconnaissance des genres non binaires : Le Portugal a également pris des mesures pour reconnaître et respecter l’identité de genre des personnes non binaires. Cette reconnaissance contribue à une plus grande visibilité et acceptation des diversités de genre.
Low assault rates: As I mentioned in my introduction, statistics show that Portugal has one of the lowest rates of aggression based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the European Union. This indicates a general atmosphere of tolerance and respect towards the LGBT community in the country.
In conclusion
On your way to your internship abroad with International Horizons in Portugal, you’re about to experience much more than just a job. The country has a rich and inclusive cultural adventure in store for you, and it’s essential to be aware of the LGBT environment before you leave.
The figures speak for themselves: Portugal has one of the lowest rates of aggression based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the European Union. A reassuring statistic that underlines the friendly nature of the country you’re about to explore. According to the Spartacus International Gay Travel Guide Index 2023, Portugal ranks fourth, consolidating its reputation as a welcoming destination for the LGBT community.
The International Horizons team has carefully evaluated Porto and Portugal, your future destination, and the verdict is clear: a safe city and country, open people, and an atmosphere conducive to a positive experience. Testimonials from host families and our local partner confirm this positive impression. Porto awaits you with enthusiasm, ready to provide you with an enriching adventure.
Beyond the professional aspect of your internship, Portugal offers you a cultural immersion where diversity and inclusiveness are celebrated. From the lively festivities of São João in Porto to the all-night festivals in Lisbon, you’ll discover a lively palette of celebrations. Imagine taking part in Lisbon Pride, where the streets are decked out in the colors of the rainbow, creating an atmosphere of celebration and pride. Portugal offers you much more than a career opportunity, it offers you an adventure where every day is a new discovery.
LGBT rights in Portugal have seen notable advances, placing the country ahead of other European nations on several fronts. In 2010, Portugal legalized same-sex marriage, marking a major turning point towards equal rights. Laws allowing same-sex couples to adopt children followed in 2016, extending the rights of LGBT families.
Protection against discrimination has also been strengthened, with laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in various fields. Portugal is actively engaged in the fight against homophobia and transphobia, even formalizing May 17 as the “National Day for the Fight against Homophobia and Transphobia.”
Recognition of non-binary genders was another step forward, showing Portugal’s willingness to respect and recognize the gender identity of non-binary people.
In conclusion, your internship abroad in Portugal with International Horizons promises to be a unique opportunity for professional and personal growth. The country has a warm and inclusive experience in store for you, ready to welcome you in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for the LGBT community. Make the most of this adventure and come back enriched with unforgettable memories. If you want to find your internship in Portugal, you know where to click. In the meantime, if you have any questions, they’re sure to be answered here.