Rising Intolerance Toward LGBT+ People and People Living with HIV in Moldova: Why Is “Social Distancing” Becoming More Prevalent?

An alarming trend has been observed in Moldova: intolerance toward minorities and marginalized groups continues to rise. According to data Social Distancing Index for 2025, prepared According to the "Partnership for Development" Center (PDRC), the indicator of society's openness to diversity has worsened, increasing from 2.1 to 2.6 points in just one year.

Who is in the exclusion zone?

The highest level of social distancing in Moldovan society continues to be observed with regard to LGBT+ communities, people living with HIV/AIDS, and former prisoners, Reports the local publication IPN.

The numbers speak for themselves: почти 50% граждан They try to avoid even functional (professional) relationships with people living with HIV/AIDS. One in four People in the country are not ready to have LGBT+ individuals among their neighbors or coworkers. There is also a growing aversion to these groups in close, personal relationships.

Against this backdrop, experts note only minor improvements in attitudes toward people with disabilities and speakers of other languages.

Causes of regression: war, misinformation, and elections

Experts emphasize that a 0.5-point increase in the index—which may seem insignificant—actually reflects a significant shift in social attitudes and demonstrates the fragility of the progress made so far.

Among the key factors that fuel fear and intolerance, Kristina Kozhokaru (CPR) highlights the following:

• Social polarization and economic instability.
• A war in the region.
• Widespread misinformation that reduces people's willingness to accept differences.

Political developments played a significant role in the deterioration of the situation. Angelica Frolov, administrator of the GENDERDOC-M Center, notes that Election seasons have become a catalyst for hatred. During the last election A total of 244 cases of hate speech were documented, and more than a quarter of them (57 cases) were directed against the LGBT+ community.

Irina Korobchenko, an analyst at Promo-LEX, confirms that the intensity of hate speech during the recent elections increased by a factor of 1.7 compared to 2021.

A Portrait of "Intolerance"

The study identified the demographic groups in which levels of prejudice remain the highest. As a rule, these are:

• Older people 45 years.

• Residents rural areas.

• Citizens with low levels of income and education.

In lieu of a conclusion

The situation in Moldova reflects global trends toward a deterioration in respect for human rights; however, internal political strife and the use of discriminatory rhetoric during elections are causing profound damage to social cohesion. The rise in the distancing index is a sign that fear of “others” in society is becoming increasingly pronounced, requiring active measures to combat disinformation and hate speech.