7. NEW ZEALAND

This comparatively tiny country has been punching above its weight in terms of LGBTIQ rights, acceptance and inclusion for a long time now. Back in 1998, travel and accommodation businesses in New Zealand helpfully adopted the term “Gay/Lesbian Friendly” on marketing paraphernalia to reassure potential visitors. Same-sex weddings have been promoted by the national tourism body since 2013 – the campaign launched with the first ever Gay Wedding Show, and the national airline was totes on board. There’s currently five LGBT representatives in parliament who the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, calls her Rainbow Caucus.