It can be disheartening at times when you hear of the peaceful LGBTI protest that turned to violence last weekend in Moscow. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

A report compiled by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago examined general trends in over 50 countries regarding attitudes towards homosexuality, based on five surveys that were conducted in different countries between 1988 and 2008.

Approval of homosexuality increased in 27 countries and decreased in only four: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Russia, the AFP details on the findings.

And the growth in approval ratings has been stronger then the decline. “According to the survey the top five most tolerant countries regarding homosexuality are the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and Belgium,” says the report.

“The bottom half of the list consisted of seven ex-socialist states, including East Asian nations, Latin American countries and Cyprus, South Africa, and Turkey.

“The study also showed that In 1991, 59 percent of the Russian population felt that homosexual behaviour was wrong compared to 64 percent in 2008.”

Attitudes are changing across the world. While 16 countries still persecute LGBTI people, many others have passed anti-discrimination laws in recent years, and 32 countries are now legally recognising same-sex uni0ns with marriage or civil partnership rights.