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Homosexuality is in the criminal code in 63 countries*. A quarter of the world’s population, around 2 billion people, live in a country where homosexuality is punishable by law. In 11 of these countries the penalty for homosexuality is death and in 2 countries the death penalty has recently been carried out.
The Zero Flags Project is a countdown to zero flags. In this we work together with organisations such as Pride Amsterdam, ILGA, the UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Equal Rights Coalition. We will continue our countdown until the only flag remaining is the rainbow flag and the whole world lives in sexual- and gender freedom.
*The Zero Flags Project follows the ILGA World State-Sponsored Homophobia report which is a fundamental resource for those interested in accessing the core information on legislation affecting people on the basis of their sexual orientation. See https://database.ilga.org/criminalisation-consensual-same-sex-sexual-acts
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2025 | Schiedam | Rainbow Month
From 12 to 26 May 2025, the Zero Flags Project will be on display in the heart of Schiedam. Along the Schieboulevard (Overschiesestraat), dozens of national flags will be flown—each marked with a black mourning ribbon. These are the flags of the 63 countries where homosexuality and/or gender diversity is still criminalised, with punishments ranging from imprisonment and corporal punishment to the death penalty. In eleven of these countries, homosexuality is punishable by death. Every year, hundreds of trans people are murdered with impunity simply for being who they are.
Roughly one-third of the global population—over two billion people—live in one of these countries. Assuming that at least eight percent of any population identifies as non-heterosexual, this amounts to tens of millions of people living in fear every day.
The Zero Flags Project confronts this reality by visualising it—and by working toward a world in which the number of “flags of shame” can be reduced to zero.
Part of Schiedam’s Rainbow Month
The installation is part of Schiedam Rainbow Month, an initiative of local LGBTIQ+ organisations. Throughout May, the city offers a colourful programme of events, culminating in a celebration at Theater aan de Schie on 24 May, which will include the 10th edition of the Jillis Bruggeman Awards.
Wenneker Cinema – Film & Conversation on 18 May
On Sunday 18 May, filmmaker Dzul Sungit from Singapore will speak about his experiences in his home country, followed by a screening of his film Salam Gembira, which was partly shot in Schiedam. Singapore’s flag was once part of the Zero Flags installation, but was removed in 2023 after decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Prior to the screening, Hans Verhoeven, chair of the Zero Flags Project Foundation, will provide an introduction to the project and its mission.
- Event location: Wenneker Pand
- Date & time: Sunday, 18 May, from 15:00
- Tickets: €7.50 incl. drink – available via Wenneker Cinema
For the full programme of Schiedam Rainbow Month, visit:
2025 | World | Areas of concern
Where No Criminal Law Exists, but Freedom Is Under Pressure
The Zero Flags Project displays the flags of countries and regions around the world where homosexuality or gender diversity is criminalised by law. However, there are states and territories where no such explicit laws exist, yet the rights and safety of LGBTIQ+ individuals are still systematically restricted. For these places, we use the designation Area of Concern.
This designation helps to draw attention to areas where visibility, safety, or equal treatment is undermined—even in the absence of explicit criminalisation. Below, we highlight a number of these regions.
Russia – ‘Ban on LGBTIQ Propaganda’
In Russia, homosexuality is not formally illegal. Nevertheless, since 2013, the so-called “anti-propaganda law” has been used to suppress any public expression of non-heterosexual relationships. In 2022, the law was further expanded to ban all forms of “promotion of non-traditional relationships”—including for adults.
This legislation has resulted in widespread censorship, intimidation, and violence against LGBTIQ+ individuals and organisations. In practice, any visible expression of sexual or gender diversity is treated as criminal, even without a direct prohibition on homosexuality itself.
Hungary – Restrictions on Visibility and Pride
Hungary has passed laws prohibiting the “promotion of homosexuality” to minors. Since 2021, this ban has been interpreted broadly, affecting school education, children’s books, and even commercial advertisements. Pride events are often restricted or outright banned, and government rhetoric has increasingly targeted what it refers to as “gender ideology.”
While homosexuality is not criminalised in Hungary, these measures severely undermine the freedom of LGBTIQ+ individuals to be visible or to demand equal treatment. The public space is becoming increasingly hostile.
United States – Rollback of Diversity Policies under Trump
The United States shows significant regional variation when it comes to the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals. In addition to troubling state-level laws—such as bans on gender-affirming care for minors—there have been federal developments that raise serious concerns.
Under President Donald Trump, major steps were taken through executive orders and policy changes to roll back diversity and inclusion efforts. Federal agencies and publicly funded institutions were prohibited from conducting mandatory training on systemic discrimination, including those addressing LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
These actions have contributed to a decline in safe working and learning environments for LGBTIQ+ individuals in parts of the public sector. Although the current administration has reversed some of these measures, their impact remains, and efforts continue to embed similar policies at the state level.
Gaza – Criminalisation Without Functional Governance
As previously noted, the flag of Gaza was recently removed from the Zero Flags installation due to the absence of a recognised and functional authority. Nevertheless, Gaza remains a clear area of concern. Even before the current conflict, LGBTIQ+ individuals faced the threat of persecution, violence, and exclusion—both through legal structures and societal norms.
The human rights situation remains deeply alarming, especially for vulnerable groups. The Zero Flags Project continues to raise awareness about this reality, despite the legal complexity.
Why This Designation?
With the Area of Concern label, the Zero Flags Project seeks to make visible what is often hidden: structural oppression that occurs without formal prohibition. By naming these regions, we continue to shine a light on systemic exclusion, the creeping normalisation of discrimination, and the quiet erosion of safe spaces.
As long as these concerns exist, the Zero Flags Project will not only stand against criminalisation—but also against the invisible, yet deeply rooted, forces of oppression.
2025 | Gaza |Temporary removal of flag from Zero Flags Project
The Zero Flags Project is committed to the global abolition of laws that criminalise homosexuality. As part of this mission, we display the flags of countries and regions where such legislation remains in force. One of these flags was that of the Palestinian territory of Gaza. However, it was recently decided to temporarily remove this flag from the project.
This decision was made in light of the current and extraordinarily complex situation in Gaza, where a violent conflict between Hamas and Israel has been ongoing since October 2023. The conditions on the ground are chaotic and inhumane, with immense suffering on both sides. At the same time, it is essential for the integrity of the project that all flags in the installation reflect formal legislation upheld by identifiable governing entities.
At present, Gaza lacks a stable or internationally recognised authority that can be held accountable for maintaining a legal framework. This makes it legally problematic to continue linking the criminalisation of homosexuality in Gaza to a specific flag or recognised governing body. For this reason, the Gaza flag has been temporarily removed from the installation.
This does not mean that the situation for LGBTIQ+ individuals in Gaza is no longer of concern to the Zero Flags Project. On the contrary, Gaza remains a clear area of concern. Even before the current conflict, gay residents of Gaza faced real threats to their lives. Legal protections for homosexuals were virtually nonexistent, and persecution based on sexual orientation occurred—both through formal mechanisms and extrajudicial means.
The Zero Flags Project will continue to monitor developments closely. As soon as there is renewed clarity regarding governance and legal jurisdiction in Gaza, the project will re-evaluate whether the flag’s inclusion in the installation is appropriate.
2024 | Amsterdam | WorldPride 2026 kickoff
Amsterdam is hosting the WorldPride 2026 event, 25 years after the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
During Amsterdam Worldpride 2026 the Zero Flags Project will be present and therefor we were part of the Kick-off event in Amsterdam last June.
Touria Meliani, the Amsterdam alderman for Inclusion and anti-discrimination policy, shared her personal wish that during the WorldPride 2026 at least 5 flags of the Zero Flags Project can be lowered because these countries have changed their laws.
2023 | Amsterdam | Queer & Pride | July 22 – August 6
During the Amsterdam Queer & Pride event, the Museumplein (Museum Square) is home to the Monument of Visibility of the Zero Flags Project.
On Saturday, July 22, the Pride Walk made its way from Dam Square to the Museumplein, where the Queer Amsterdam event took place.
The Monument of Visibility attracted a multitude of visitors, and our dedicated volunteers, some of whom are refugees from the countries involved in the project, graciously answered numerous questions about the initiative.
The impact of the project was undeniable, with many attendees expressing their appreciation and sharing how it deeply resonated with them. Interestingly, most visitors were previously unaware of the challenging situations faced by individuals in these countries, making the experience all the more enlightening for them.
If you missed the chance to visit; The Monument of Visibility will remain accessible on the Museumplein throughout both pride weeks in Amsterdam, from July 22 until August 6. Don’t pass up this opportunity to gain insight into an important cause and be a part of the movement for visibility and understanding.
2022 | Amsterdam | Pride Walk | July 30
When the Pride Walk entered the main entrance of the Vondelpark the participants were greeted by the flag carriers lining the path on both sides. The flag carriers were holding a flag and a sign with the name of the country and the punishment for homosexuality.
After the Pride Walk had passed they joined the Pride Walk as a closing group and delivered the flags to the Zero Flags Project spot in Pride Park which was visited all day by passersby informing themselves about the fact that in too many countries it is still illegal to be homosexual.
Afak Shahoud – Syria/Lebanon
Mohamed Koroma – Sierra Leone
Zee Salem – Egypt
2022 | Nijmegen | Monument of Visibility | July 26 – August 2
During the Eurogames Nijmegen the flags of countries where homosexuality is in the Criminal Code were hanging from 6 meter high flagpoles along the Waalkade next to the site of the opening and closing of the EuroGames. Each flag pole carried a sign stating the name of the country and the punishment for homosexuality.
On July 26 during a short ceremony the Monument of Visibility was officially opened by Alderman Vergunst, on behalf of the Municipal Executive of Nijmegen.
