10 maps show how much LGBTQ rights vary around the world

On Wednesday, the Sultan of Brunei brought Sharia Law to the small, oil-rich country on the north side of the island Borneo.

Those convicted of sodomy now stand the chance of being stoned to death. The law also applies to those caught cheating on their spouses.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 72, first announced the new law, which is based off of interpretations of the Quran and Islamic teachings, in 2013, but has been slowing rolling it out. The new laws governing punishments for gay sex officially went into effect this week.

Brunei becomes the first southeast Asian country to institute Sharia Law. It is now among 12 countries in the world where gay sex can be punished with execution.

It’s also an example of just how much of an up-hill battle LGBTQ rights continue to be around the world. For example, gay sex is still illegal in 35% of countries in the United Nations, according to statistics released this year by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).

To understand how LGBTQ rights vary around the world, INSIDER created a set of maps that visualize the issue.

The results show that while homosexuality is no longer outlawed in the majority of the world, there’s still a long way to go in terms of acceptance and equality for LGBTQ people.