For the second year in a row, Malta ranks first on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Index, keeping the top spot among 49 Council of Europe states with regard to LGBTIQ policy. Malta introduced the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act in 2016, banning harmful gay conversion practices and ensuring that no sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression can't be considered an illness or disease. The Rainbow Index highlights the disparities in LGBTIQ rights that still exist between different countries. Norway and the UK in second and third place, respectively.