Conveniently timed for Trans Pride, the EU has released the results of a major survey of the lives of LGBT people in member countries and Croatia (which was not a member when the survey was undertaken). I haven’t had a chance to read the full document yet (you can download it free here), but I have had a browse through their interactive data map here. Some of the data is quite interesting.

One thing you can try is looking at the results produced by the trans-related questions when answered by all respondents as compared to responses from self-identified trans people. For example, in answer to the question, “In your opinion, how widespread are positive measures to promote respect for the human rights of transgender people in the country where you live?” the total survey puts The Netherlands and Sweden on top, but if you look just at trans people then Belgium and Spain come out the most transphobic.

The question, “In your opinion, in the country where you live, how widespread is discrimination because a person is Transgender?” puts Croatia top of the list, which rather surprised, me. But again if you ask only trans people then numbers are different. Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania are apparently the worst places. (The survey took place before all of the unpleasantness in Greece started.)

This, however, is still a question about the perception of discrimination. When the survey asked, “In the last 12 months, in the country where you live, have you personally felt discriminated against or harassed because of being perceived as Transgender?” the top country was (…drumroll…) The United Kingdom.

Oh dear.