Criminal statutes banning homosexuality are on the books in 74 countries, eight of which include the death penalty, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).

The latest: Gay rights activists in India recently won a major victory when the country's Supreme Court overturned a colonial-era law that made gay sex a crime. 42 countries, most of them in Europe or the Americas, have legalized gay marriage or civil unions.