Interested in the current state of non-binary rights in Europe? This concise guide covers the most important updates and developments you should be aware of

Current situation

As of 2024, only a few European countries officially recognise non-binary gender markers. Iceland and Germany lead the way, allowing non-binary people to have their identities legally acknowledged. Denmark and Malta partially acknowledge non-binary identities, though issues remain, particularly in areas like the healthcare sector. You can read more about it in one of our previous blogs. However, progress is slow, and many countries still lack comprehensive legal frameworks for non-binary recognition.

Which countries are next?

France and the SNCF case: potential impact across the EU

Last Thursday (July 11, 2024) the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) gave his opinion that France’s national railway company SNCF should stop forcing passengers to choose between the civil titles “Mr” or “Ms” when purchasing train tickets. This landmark case, brought by Association Mousse, could set a precedent similar to the Deutsche Bahn case in Germany across the European Union.

In his opinion, which was published earlier this week, the Advocate General of the CJEU said that it is not “necessary” and that it is therefore unlawful for the SNCF to collect individuals’ civil titles. The Advocate General also agreed with Association Mousse that processing data on civil titles creates a risk of discrimination on the grounds of gender identity for trans and non-binary people notably as other States legally recognise non-binary identities.

Should the CJEU’s judgement align with the opinion of the Advocate General, all organisations collecting gender markers would be forced to stop doing so when it is not necessary for the service provided. The outcome has the potential to influence broader European standards for non-binary recognition, emphasising the role of strategic litigation in advancing rights​​.

Belgium’s legal hurdles

Belgium’s journey towards non-binary recognition has faced significant setbacks. In 2019, the Belgian Constitutional Court declared the existing laws discriminatory towards non-binary people. The government proposed removing gender markers from ID cards entirely, but this reform has stalled due to political and technical challenges​​​​. Despite these obstacles, there are plans to eventually implement these changes.

Italy on the verge of change

Italy is also nearing a significant decision. The Italian Constitutional Court is expected to rule on the inclusion of a third gender marker. This ruling could trigger legislative changes, inspiring other countries to follow suit and potentially transforming the landscape of non-binary rights in Europe​​.

Legal battles play a pivotal role in the fight for non-binary recognition. Cases like the ones in France and Germany highlight how litigation can drive change even when legislative processes are slow. These legal battles and proposed reforms are part of a broader movement toward inclusivity and respect for non-binary identities across Europe.

Beyond laws: the experience of being a non-binary person in EU

The third EU LGBTIQ survey report, published in June by the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) offers some insights into non-binary lives. Almost 20% of respondents identified as non-binary, yet more than 90% do not have their identity legally recognised. When delving into the reasons behind this, it becomes evident that non-binary people face unique challenges and perspectives. 

The reluctance or perceived lack of necessity for legal gender recognition (LGR) among non-binary people is often due to the accessibility and relevance of existing LGR frameworks. These frameworks typically do not include non-binary options, which discourages non-binary people from pursuing LGR.

For instance, while nearly 60% of trans women and men intend to seek legal gender recognition in the future, only 17% of non-binary respondents share this intention. This disparity suggests that non-binary people might not see current LGR options as applicable or beneficial to their identities, especially considering the potential discrimination they might face in the process.

Additionally, safety concerns significantly impact the daily lives of non-binary people. The FRA data revealed that 23% of non-binary people frequently hide their gender identity for safety reasons, a higher percentage compared to 10% of trans men and slightly more than trans women at 20%. This heightened sense of vulnerability underscores the pressing need for legal recognition and protection.

What do non-binary people want from the law?

Despite developments in Europe and farther afield, we still have relatively little data on what non-binary people want from the law and how they are currently experiencing different legal systems. This is something which ILGA-Europe, along with other civil society partners and a team of academics, will be looking to explore over the coming year. By understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by non-binary people, we can better advocate for their rights and recognition across Europe.

Here is a list of useful resources for policy-makers and activists on the topic of non-binary rights: 

• Rainbow Map: Legal gender recognition
• Human Rights and Gender Identity and Expression: Issue Paper by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
• Non-binary gender registration models in Europe: Report on third gender marker or no gender marker options by Lena Holzer for ILGA-Europe
• Intersections – Diving into the FRA LGBT II Survey data: Trans and non-binary briefing by ILGA-Europe and TGEU

In the face of rising authoritarianism, Georgia’s civil society and LGBTI community are battling draconian laws inspired by Russia, threatening their democratic rights and freedoms ahead of a pivotal national election

On 14 May 2024, the Georgian parliament passed a Foreign Agent law that would see civil society and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad forced to register as organisations “bearing the interests of a foreign power” and to open all their internal documents for inspection by the authorities. The bill is part of a wider crackdown on democracy by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has been inspired by the almost identical foreign agent law enacted in the Russian Federation in 2012.

Opposition to this bill has been significant among Georgian society, which supports democracy, EU accession and a thriving civic space, and is opposed to Russian-style anti-democratic laws. There were huge protests all over Georgia, in which tens of thousands demonstrated in the streets against the adoption of this law. Georgian civil society organisations, including LGBTI organisations, are fearful that more legislation will be adopted which will target civil society and democratic checks and balances. 

Targeting the LGBTI community

One such legislation package, announced on 4 June 2024, specifically targets the LGBTI community. If adopted, it would:

• Ban any kind of medical intervention to change sex, such as hormone therapy 
• Ban any LGBTQI content in education, in media, in the arts
• Ban legal gender recognition
• Ban adoption for same-sex couples
• Limit freedom of assembly for events that cause “popularisation of same sex marriages or incest”
• Make biological sex markers mandatory

These proposed legislative changes also borrow from Russia’s playbook by singling out the LGBTI community as a target and scapegoat. This legislation is being fast tracked for adoption before the national elections taking place on 26 October, with a first reading and favourable vote having taken place in June and the final two readings scheduled for September.  

The combination of both the foreign agent law and the anti-LGBTI legislation would render the functioning of LGBTI civil society organisations and activists in Georgia almost entirely impossible. Already in May, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights commented on how the foreign agent law would specifically target LGBTI civil society. On 21 May, the Venice Commission published an Urgent Opinion on the foreign agent law, concluding that the law’s restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and privacy are incompatible with international and European standards regarding democracy and non-discrimination. 

Mobilising international support 

ILGA-Europe conducted advocacy ahead of the June session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to draw attention to the anti-LGBTI law also during the urgent debate on Georgia. We requested parliamentarians to raise the issue of LGBTI people being impacted by both the foreign agent law and the anti-LGBTI law, which a number did. In particular, parliamentarian Beatrice Fresko-Rolfo spoke entirely on this, highlighting how the anti-LGBTI legislation restricts the fundamental rights of LGBTI people including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and reflecting on what will happen to the LGBTI community of Georgia if these legislative changes are adopted.

Following the debate, PACE resolution “Challenges to democracy in Georgia” was adopted by the Assembly, addressing the foreign agent law, the violent attacks and intimidation campaigns, the electoral law changes, and the anti-LGBTI law. The Assembly also will address the foreign agent law in a separate upcoming resolution.  

Sharp rise in violence

This has all been taking place while the Georgian government and its allies allow for violent attacks and intimidation campaigns against demonstrators, civil society activists, journalists, and opposition MPs. The offices of LGBTI organisations Tbilisi Pride and WISG have been vandalised, and the private homes of their staff have also been targeted by vandalism and intimidatory posters. LGBTI human rights defenders and their families are receiving threats of violence, including death threats. 20 other civil society organisations and opposition party offices have also been vandalised. As this violence and intimidation is condoned by the government, incidents of physical violence are also increasing. Activists expect a hate campaign to be led by the government in the lead up to the national elections taking place on 26 October 2024, and therefore for the hatred and violence to rise even more in September. 

The electoral context

The foreign agent law will make it difficult for international organisations to observe the elections for any irregularities in October, adding to the fear that the elections will not be free and fair. This comes after the 20 February 2024 adoption of amendments to Georgia’s Electoral Code, which made it possible for the ruling majority, by itself, to select and appoint the chairperson and non-partisan members of the Central Election Commission (CEC), and which altered the legally required majorities for decision making by the CEC. These changes combined make it possible for the government to control all decisions of the CEC.

If the current ruling party wins the elections, they have made it clear that they will concretise the anti-LGBTI legislation into Georgia’s constitution through constitutional amendments. They also plan to hold a referendum on Georgia’s EU accession. We should expect more anti-democratic and anti-human rights legislation and policies and a broader turn towards Russia and away from the EU. 

What can be done?

Georgian civil society will be casting their votes on 26 October for a democratic, pro-EU opposition. They rely on a change in government to halt Georgia’s current anti-democratic path and to repeal these laws that seek to stifle civil society and democratic opposition, and target the fundamental rights of LGBTI people. If the opposition wins in October, it is paramount that they do indeed repeal the foreign agent law and the anti-LGBTI amendments, and set Georgia back on a path to democracy and EU accession. This is especially important given the strength of the anti-gender and anti-rights movement currently pushing various countries in the region towards more autocratic governance, which needs to be strongly opposed by democratic parties. We call on all international actors to support us in ensuring that these laws are repealed if the Georgian opposition wins. 

If, however, the current ruling party, Georgian Dream, wins the election, LGBTI civil society and Georgian civil society at large will need intensified support from international donors who should work hand-in-hand with Georgian civil society organisations to see how they can best be supported. In addition, it is widely concluded that the only effective way to hold Georgian MPs accountable for voting against human rights and democracy is through targeted sanctions affecting these individuals, rather than sanctions that would impact the broader economy and people of Georgia.

Amid political turmoil, war, social issues and cultural changes, Pride celebrations in Europe continue to demonstrate the resilience and determination of LGBTI communities

Today, on the eve of EuroPride in Thessaloniki, we are highlighting a number of significant Pride events on the continent, and one clear message shines through: LGBTI people are persisting in asserting their right to assemble and freely express themselves, thereby firmly establishing their presence in society. Pride events not only celebrate identity and diversity but also serve as critical platforms for political engagement. They amplify the voices of LGBTI people across Europe, who continue to push boundaries and demand their rightful place in society. Here are just a few of the thousands that have and will happen across Europe this year, in places where challenges are acute.

Kyiv Pride, Ukraine

Kyiv Pride 2024, on June 16, took place amidst challenging circumstances, reflecting the determination of Ukraine’s LGBTI community. Despite facing a cap on participation and heightened security measures, over 500 people marched through the streets of the capital to advocate for partnership recognition and protections against hate crimes. The event occurred against a backdrop of ongoing war, underscoring the urgent need for legislative reforms to safeguard LGBTI rights in Ukraine. Despite tensions and counter-protests, Kyiv Pride 2024 stood as a powerful assertion of the community’s right to freedom of assembly and expression.

“We took only a few steps, we made this painful compromise for the sake of safety and in order to revive the tradition and make a powerful and open Kyiv Pride March next year.” – Anna Sharygina, lead organiser of KyivPride.

La Pride des Banlieues (The Pride of the Suburbs), La Courneuve, France

La Pride des Banlieues happened in La Courneuve on June 22, representing LGBTI people from French working-class areas, many of whom are racialised. The group has been organising the Pride for several years in Saint-Denis. This year, however, the municipalities denied permission to march in Saint-Denis because of preparations for the Olympic Games in the city. Due to a last-minute relocation from its original venue and losing support from a municipality that had previously been an ally of past La Pride des Banlieues marches, the event took place in another suburb of Paris with less resources for security and less time to figure out new support infrastructure.

It was important that La Pride des Banlieues took place this year as the far-right opposition has been gaining more traction in France, getting more intense in their actions against LGBTI communities, with racialised LGBTI communities particularly facing multiple situations of discrimination and harassment. In their political message at La Pride des Banlieues, the organisers and their constituents condemned rising hate speech, discriminatory immigration policies, and institutional racism, aiming to resist far-right co-optation and mobilise solidarity against oppression of ethnic minorities and LGBTI communities in the suburbs.

“The fight against the far-right cannot be reduced to a universal fight, we must recognise the multiple and interconnected realities of oppression.” – La Pride des Banlieues organisers.

Trans Pride Istanbul, Turkey

Trans Pride Istanbul on Sunday June 23 was marked by decentralised actions across the city. Under the theme “Perpetrator State,” participants asserted trans visibility and existence, refusing to be silenced despite bans and oppression. Rather than a centralised march, activists mounted a number of smaller, unannounced activities like hanging trans flags, projecting messages across city landmarks and reading of a statement in front of Pride attendees. The event unfolded amidst stringent security measures, including metro station closures and a heavy police presence. Two people were detained and released after. This year’s Trans Pride Istanbul not only showcased solidarity and determination among Turkey’s trans community but also highlighted ongoing issues of discrimination and the fight for visibility and rights, echoing their message that the state is accountable for perpetuating violence and systemic injustices against trans people.

“We are trans people who are made the targets of violent and discriminatory policies at any chance given just because of our trans identities.” – Trans Pride Istanbul organisers

Looking Ahead

As we approach the end of June, two more significant events lie ahead this weekend.

Bucharest Pride, Romania

More than 25,000 people are expected to take to the streets of Bucharest on Saturday, June 29 to celebrate diversity and claim the rights of the LGBTI community at a crucial moment in Romania. Both presidential and general elections are approaching, and 20% of Romanian MEPs elected to the European Parliament were from the far right, with two of them using anti-LGBTI hate speech. Additionally, a new referendum regarding the definition of families is being pushed by the government opposition.

Pride in Bucharest will address the urgent need for legal recognition and protection of all same-sex families, continuing the push for the immediate implementation of the 2018 Coman case. In the case, the European Court of Justice affirmed residency rights in EU countries (that do not recognise same-sex unions) for the spouse of an EU citizen exercising their right to freedom of movement. Romania has yet to implement the verdict by granting Andrew Coman’s husband a residence permit, and a draft law has been adopted that would stop Romania from implementing it.

ILGA-Europe will be in Bucharest this coming October for their Annual Conference, working with local hosts ACCEPT and MozaiQ, recognizing this as a crucial moment for LGBTI human rights in Romania.

Istanbul Pride, Turkey

Istanbul Pride will take place on Sunday, June 30. Given the government and police response to Pride in the country over the past years, we will be closely monitoring what is happening. One thing we do know is that the LGBTI community in Istanbul and their allies will assert their human right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression by attending Pride, with pride, resilience and courage. We will be reporting on Istanbul in this year’s instalment of our Turkey Pride monitoring blog over the coming weeks, as we learn from activists and organisers how officials are responding to Prides across the country. You can read our Turkey Pride monitoring blog from 2023 here.

Over the past decade, ILGA-Europe has embarked on a learning journey to become an organisation that genuinely adopts an intersectional approach in all its work. But what does true intersectionality mean, and how can it be integrated into the work of the LGBTI activist movement?

This blog is based on a conversation between former ILGA-Europe team member Valeria Santostefano, former Executive Director Evelyne Paradis, and our new Executive Director Chaber for a special Frontline podcast episode in which they discuss our organisation’s journey over the past two decades towards adopting a more intersectional approach in our work.

Understanding intersectionality

Intersectionality, a concept coined by leading scholar of critical race theory, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, is a framework that recognises how various aspects of our identities, experiences, and backgrounds impact our lives, opportunities, and access. It emphasises that people are multifaceted, acknowledging that factors such as race, gender, sexuality, and class intersect to shape unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.

ILGA-Europe’s journey

ILGA-Europe has always recognised the need to include diverse voices and experiences. However, it was only in the mid-2010s that we began to critically question our own structures and practices. According to Evelyne Paradis, who was Executive Director of ILGA-Europe at the time, this shift involved reassessing the organisation’s practices to ensure inclusivity, rather than expecting others to fit into the existing structure.

Six ways ILGA-Europe has grown in practicing intersectionality

1. Recruitment practices

ILGA-Europe made a concerted effort to attract a diverse pool of applicants by re-evaluating our recruitment criteria and processes. We adjusted criteria to be more inclusive, removing barriers such as requiring certain levels of formal education or specific work experiences.

2. Event accessibility

During our annual conference and other events, we have implemented measures to ensure accessibility for all participants. This includes providing materials in multiple languages, ensuring venues are accessible to people with disabilities, and offering travel grants to individuals from underrepresented communities.

3. Advocacy and policy work

ILGA-Europe has broadened its advocacy to include issues that intersect with LGBTI rights, such as socioeconomic inequalities, asylum and refugee rights, and access to healthcare. By working alongside other organisations focused on these areas, we aim to address the multifaceted nature of discrimination and ensure a holistic approach to human rights.

5. Rainbow map recalibration

We recalibrated the Rainbow Map to place less emphasis on marriage equality and more on other critical issues such as legal gender recognition, hate crime legislation, and access to asylum. This shift recognises that while marriage equality is important, other areas require attention to achieve true equality.

6. Changes based on feedback

Chaber, the new Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, emphasises the value of receiving and acting on critical feedback. Detailed feedback that highlights unseen areas and areas needing improvement is crucial for understanding how to better support and represent underrepresented communities.

Building blocks for intersectionality

Building a learning organisation has been a fundamental aspect of our development. This involved dedicating time and resources to reflection and improvement, forming a working group on diversity and incorporating intersectionality into our annual planning. We also emphasise the importance of clear communication about our mission. While we are primarily an LGBTI rights organisation, we adopt an intersectional approach to ensure that our advocacy and support encompass a broad range of issues affecting our community. This includes addressing socioeconomic inequalities, working on issues of asylum and refugees, and engaging in broader human rights advocacy.

Sharing our learning with the wider movement

Recognising the value of not only integrating our learning around intersectionality in the materials we provide to help build the movement, such as publications, toolkits and skills boosts, we have published a number of resources on the ILGA-Europe Hub, which provides free and easy-to access learning cards, including on how to integrate intersectionality in your organisation, in policy and advocacy work, in recruitment processes, and in communications. The Hub intersectionality cards can be found here. If you don’t already have an account on The Hub, it’s a completely free-of-charge resource that’s super easy to join.

Moving forward

Starting small, such as having conversations about intersectionality within teams, can build into more substantial change. ILGA-Europe remains committed to this ongoing process, continually exploring how to make our work more accessible and representative of the diverse LGBTI community.

For a more in-depth discussion on how ILGA-Europe has worked to integrate intersectionality across all our work, listen to our special episode of The Frontline podcast.

Today we dive into the mixed results of the European Elections, the shift to the far right in national elections, and the potential impact of it all on LGBTI human rights in the EU and beyond.

This blog is based on a conversation between our Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel, co-chairs of the LGBTI Intergroup at the European Parliament, Marc Angel and Kim van Sparrentak, and activists Luca Dudits from Hungary and Roberto Muzzetta from Italy for a special Frontline podcast episode.

The results of the recent European Elections, which weren’t the radical shift to the far-right that was being predicted, revealed a mixed picture for LGBTI rights advocates. Marc Angel and Kim van Sparrentak expressed cautious optimism. While their personal victories and the re-election of LGBTI allies in their respective countries gave them cause for celebration, the broader rise of the far right across Europe remains a significant concern. Both stressed the need for strong collaboration with civil society and activists to counteract this trend and protect human rights.

Turning points in Hungary and Italy?

In Hungary, the challenged to Viktor Orbán’s government by Péter Magyar  — a former ruling party insider-turned-rival — and his Tisza party marked a significant development. Magyar secured a substantial portion of seats, indicating a shift in the political dynamics that could open new avenues for advancing LGBTI rights. Luca Dudits from Hatter Society described the election as one of the most exciting campaigns in recent history, reflecting a growing political engagement among those opposed to Orban’s policies. However, she was cautious in her assessment of Magyar, who failed to mention LGBTI human rights in his campaign and made broad references to tackling propaganda. Whether this is the anti-LGBTI propaganda spread by Orbán or percieved ‘LGBTI propaganda’ remains to be seen. Dudits said that activists in Hungary will be engaged over the coming months in seeking to make contact with Magyar and his party to ascertain their commitment.

Italy also witnessed a blend of hope and caution. Roberto Muzzetta from Arcigay noted the substantial effort put into mobilising the LGBTI community by Italian activists, resulting in a greater presence of LGBTI allies in the European Parliament. Despite this, the far-right influence remains strong, particularly with Giorgia Meloni’s continued dominance. However, according to Muzzetta, the rise of progressive voices provides a counterbalance that could influence future policies and elections.

Challenges from the far-right surge

The election results across Europe show a worrying trend: the significant gains made by far-right parties. This shift is not only visible at the EU level but is also permeating national politics in countries like France, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Such a trend poses direct threats to the advancement of human rights, particularly for the LGBTI community.

Kim van Sparrentak and Marc Angel, re-elected MEPs and co-chairs of the LGBTI Intergroup, expressed their concerns about this political shift. They emphasised the need for strong collaboration with civil society and activists to counteract the far-right rhetoric. They highlighted the importance of building majorities with allies who support human rights and resist anti-gender rhetoric, warning against the potential realignment within the European People’s Party (EPP) that could jeopardise LGBTI rights.

Strategic responses and solidarity

A strategic and united response to the rise of far-right politics is crucial. Marc Angel stressed that the EPP must avoid collaboration with far-right populists to maintain the integrity of the European Parliament’s commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law. He called for the parliament to remain a strong advocate for democracy, particularly given the anticipated conservative shift within the European Commission.

Civil society and grassroots activism were identified as crucial elements in this struggle. The tireless work of activists on the ground, often in hostile environments, provides the backbone for advancing LGBTI rights. Kim van Sparrentak underscored the importance of maintaining strong networks within the European Parliament and across member states to support these activists.

Roberto Muzzetta emphasised the importance of consistent and balanced human rights advocacy by European institutions. He called for careful language use by politicians to avoid further polarisation and to support inclusive discourse on LGBTI issues.

Looking forward with hope

Despite the challenges, the resilience and determination of activists and supportive politicians offer some hope. Both Marc Angel and Kim van Sparrentak are committed to fostering a strong LGBTI intergroup in the European Parliament and working closely with activists to continue the fight for equality. They stressed the importance of mobilising the silent majority to stand against far-right rhetoric and support inclusive policies.

Luca Dudits and Roberto Muzzetta echoed these sentiments, highlighting the value of international solidarity and learning from each other’s experiences. They stressed the need for continued support from European institutions and the importance of framing LGBTI rights in terms that resonate with broader values like safety, love, and freedom.

The political landscape in Europe is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the LGBTI community. While the rise of the far-right is concerning, the solidarity and strategic efforts of activists and supportive politicians provide a pathway forward. By continuing to build alliances, advocating for inclusive policies, and mobilising broader support, there is hope for advancing LGBTI rights across Europe.

Listen to the podcast here.

With the polls predicting significant gains for the far-right in the European elections, there could be serious consequences for the climate, human rights, migrants, and the rule of law.

As the European elections approach, the polls predict a significant shift towards the far-right. This anticipated surge reflects a broader trend of increasing nationalism across Europe. In countries such as Italy, France, and Germany, far-right parties are gaining ground, often by exploiting economic anxieties and societal fears. This shift threatens to undermine the progress made on issues such as climate change, human rights, and the rule of law​​​​, while the fate of migrants in member states may be even more negatively impacted.

Who will Come Out 4 Europe?

In this challenging landscape, the Come Out 4 Europe campaign represents hope. With over a thousand candidates pledging their commitment to LGBTI rights, this initiative provides a valuable resource for voters. The campaign offers a list of candidates who are dedicated to fighting discrimination and advocating for equality. They have committed to protect and advance LGBTI rights, but we only accepted signatures from candidates who respect and promote the full spectrum of human rights.

A fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable society for all

Voting in the upcoming EU elections is about protecting LGBTI rights, but it’s also about standing up for all marginalised identities across Europe. It is about defending the rights of racial and ethnic minorities who face systemic discrimination, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender identity, have access to comprehensive healthcare, supporting people with disabilities in their fight for accessibility and inclusion, and advocating for the rights of immigrants and refugees seeking safety and a better life. Additionally, it’s about committing to the environmental fight, ensuring that policies address climate change and protect our planet for future generations. By voting for candidates who support and will work for human rights and equality rather than those who will seek to erode freedoms, we are standing up for everyone who is vulnerable to oppression and discrimination, and we are working towards a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable society for all in the European Union.

By supporting candidates who embrace intersectional policies, we can ensure that our collective struggles are addressed.

Spread the word

You have powerful networks at your disposal. Use your platforms to spread this message far and wide. Encourage your members, allies, and the broader community to vote in the upcoming elections. Emphasise the necessity of standing together against far-right forces. Let’s remember the power that lies in our hands. Together, we can impact the outcome of these elections.

Find over a thousand candidates across the EU who have signed a pledge to protect advance LGBTI human rights as part of the spectrum of all human rights here.

Last month we brought together 25 activists from over 15 countries to discuss and learn all about communicating in times of crisis. With Pride season upon us, and the challenges Pride events can bring for queer activists and organisers, this blog presents the key takeaways.

Pride season is here, and the LGBTI community is busy getting ready to both celebrate and assert visibility across Europe. But we are living through a time in many countries when LGBTI people are being scapegoated, which brings challenges amid the celebrations for many Pride organisers.

In May, ILGA-Europe hosted a two-day learning event on crisis communication for LGBTI organisations from across Europe and Central Asia, which we entitled ‘Get Ready!’. This gathering was an opportunity for 25 activists from over 15 countries to come together and address the complex challenges they face when communicating to their communities, the media and other stakeholders at times of crisis.

The group of passionate activists from diverse backgrounds demonstrated the power of collaboration during our time together. This created a profound sense of solidarity and mutual understanding and the room was alive with the exchange of expertise, self-care tips, and strategic ideas, leading to new collaborations and strengthened networks.

During our discussions we learned that the diversity of challenges faced by LGBTI organisations in crisis communication is vast and complex, but the participants highlighted five key issues that are similar across different countries and contexts. They are:

Balancing conflicting interests

Organisations often operate in regions with significant political and social tensions. This requires carefully navigating their messaging to address both local and international audiences without alienating either.

Fragmentation and internal conflicts

Many movements suffer from internal fragmentation, making unified communication difficult. Differing priorities and approaches within the community can lead to inconsistent messaging and weakened responses during crises.

Targeted campaigns and opposition

Advocacy campaigns frequently attract opposition from various groups, including TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) and anti-gender movements. These groups often launch coordinated attacks, which leads to the necessity of having both proactive and reactive strategies to mitigate their impact and protect the community.

Social media and digital threats

The digital landscape presents unique challenges, from social media posts being reported and accounts being suspended to full-blown smear campaigns. Organisations must be adept at digital crisis management, swiftly countering misinformation and protecting their online presence.

Polarisation and backlash

In many regions, the rising tide of anti-gender rhetoric and the instrumentalisation of LGBTI issues by political actors create a highly polarised environment. Navigating this landscape requires not only strong messaging but also the ability to build and maintain alliances in a hostile atmosphere.

These challenges illustrate the layered nature of crisis communication within the LGBTI activism and advocacy space. Organisations are called upon develop tailored strategies to address unique circumstances in their own contexts, while drawing on shared experiences and collective wisdom. It’s also important to acknowledge that security risks, particularly around public events like Pride marches, heavily burden activists. Although these are not primarily crises, they significantly impact the overall environment in which LGBTI organisations operate.

Key Tips and Tricks for Effective Crisis Communication

During the training, activists shared a wealth of strategies for tackling these challenges, which we captured on video. We asked participants to remember the moments of stress, panic and hard times they experienced, and then to envision talking to a young activist facing a communication crisis for the first time. The result is a collection of universal and empowering tips by activists for activists to help keep your head up during a crisis.

1. Define your audience

Tailor your message to ensure it resonates with your specific target audience, such as sympathetic media outlets, supportive community groups, and potential allies within the general public.

2. Know your community

While it’s important to communicate with the broader public, never forget that your primary responsibility is to support and uplift the LGBTI community. Your people need to know you have their back.

3. Rely on your support network

The strength of the LGBTI movement lies in its solidarity. Your chosen family, friends, mentors, and colleagues are invaluable resources in times of crisis. They can mentor you, talk things through, offer help and comfort, and step in if you need to step back. Sharing the burden of these responsibilities can lighten the load significantly.

4. Stand in solidarity with other LGBTI organisations

In a crisis, consider others who are also impacted and their potential responses and strategies. Collaborating with other LGBTI organisations, showing solidarity, mutual support, and a unified response will strengthen our collective resilience.

5. Maintain a healthy distance

LGBTI activism often intertwines with personal identity, making it essential to keep a clear boundary between doing the work and living your life to avoid burnout. Remember that you are more than your work and activism, and it’s okay to step back when necessary.

6. Take It step-by-step

Crisis situations can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to stay focused on your message. Clear, calm communication is key to navigating through the storm.

7. Practice in private, be prepared in public

Doing a roleplay of a likely communications crisis situation can help you practice and take some stress out of a real situation. The Get Ready! participants took part in an exercise which tested their preparation, monitoring, diagnosis, and response to a hypothetical crisis. ILGA-Europe is developing this exercise to provide a resource to more LGBTI groups who want to prepare for communications crises. Join our Facebook group Communications support group for LGBTI activists to be up to date with any upcoming opportunities.

Amid fears of a rise in the far-right in the European elections this June 6-9, the number of candidates who are demonstrating their support for LGBTI human rights, freedom and democracy is profound

With hundreds of candidates signing on to ILGA-Europe’s the Come Out 4 Europe campaign, showing their commitment to the protection and advancement of LGBTI human rights, this initiative has captured the attention of candidates and voters alike, igniting support for LGBTI rights across the EU. These candidates aren’t just showing support online; they’re making a bold statement about their values and priorities as voters get ready to go to the polls less than two weeks’ time. Each signature represents a promise to fight against discrimination and advocate for the rights of LGBTI communities. 

The pledges against rising intolerance

In an era where authoritarian leaders across Europe are continuously using LGBTI people as targets to divide and mobilise their electorates, the significance of the Come Out 4 Europe campaign cannot be overstated. The annual Rainbow Map, published by ILGA-Europe earlier this month, highlights the urgent need for legal protections to safeguard fundamental rights. As the report illustrates, many countries are stalling in moving legal protections forward, risking the rapid erosion of human rights under newly elected governments influenced by far-right ideologies.

The moment for the European democracy

The Come Out 4 Europe campaign marks a pivotal moment in European politics. Politicians are no longer treating LGBTI rights as a mere afterthought or a convenient scapegoat. Instead, they’re embracing these rights as a fundamental pillar of democracy and equality. It’s a remarkable shift in mindset that speaks volumes about the progress we’ve made, and what lies ahead.

The significance of the Come Out 4 Europe campaign extends far beyond mere symbolism. Each signature represents a tangible commitment to action—a promise to fight against discrimination and champion the rights of LGBTI people. It’s a bold statement that sends a clear message to voters: when you cast your ballot, you’re not just choosing a candidate—you’re choosing a vision for the future of Europe.

The bigger picture

In the broader context, the outcome of EU elections next month will shape the trajectory of Europe for years to come. Will we go down the path of division and exclusion? Or will we choose the one built on the principles of equality, inclusion, and respect for all? Let’s remember the power that lies in our hands if we decide not to sit on the sidelines.

You’ve got the power!

As we approach the final days before the elections, we ask every single person who reads this blog to take action. You can impact your community, you can influence the number of people who will vote by spreading the word, and you can affect the outcome of European Elections by using your vote for a candidate who supports freedom, democracy and equality! Use the Come Out 4 Europe website to see which candidates deserve your vote, and share the campaign with others. Because of it, we can make better choices for ourselves. Let’s seize this moment to make history and set sail for a Europe that truly lives up to its promise of freedom and equality for all.

Visit comeout.eu now and make your plan for voting day!

In the dynamic world of human rights advocacy, working together is essential. Last week marked a significant event of mass collaboration – the release of the 16th annual Rainbow Map of LGBTI human rights in Europe

The purpose of the Rainbow Map

At its core, the Rainbow Map is a tool of empowerment, designed to equip advocates with the knowledge needed to achieve change. With categories ranging from equality and non-discrimination to asylum rights, this resource serves as a compass, illuminating the path towards progress. Armed with the Rainbow Map, activists can leverage its insights to hold governments accountable, showcasing comparative data to drive policy reform and legislative action.

Stories of struggle and triumph

Behind every data point lies a narrative – a story of struggle and triumph, of setbacks and victories. The Rainbow Map is not merely a collection of statistics; it is a testament to the activism of LGBTI people across Europe for real change. Through the qualitative lens of ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review, the numbers come to life, providing context and depth to each country’s journey towards equality. When browsing each country in the Rainbow Map, you will find the Annual Review for the country under a number of themes.

The power of collaboration

The journey to publish the Rainbow Map each year is not a tale of an organisation in Brussels working alone. It’s a true example collective determination, and a display of LGBTI and allied teamwork across Europe, showcasing the strength of unity during tough times. More than 250 people, including activists, lawyers, and policymakers, contributed their expertise and passion to this project, which has become a go-to for anyone wanting to understand the development of LGBTI rights in Europe over the past 16 years. Their dedication and commitment to justice is woven into the very fabric of the Rainbow Map. This year, we made substantial progress by revamping the Rainbow Map’s interface and seamlessly integrating it with our ILGA-Europe website. This revitalisation reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that users have access to the most user-friendly and informative platform possible.

Honouring the faces behind the numbers

As we continue our journey towards equality, equipped with the Map, let us remember the people behind the data – the activists who fight the good fight, the lawyers who litigate, the policymakers who advocate. Let’s honour their resilience, courage, and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow. As we navigate the complex landscape of LGBTI rights, let the Rainbow Map be our guidance, illuminating the path towards new successes.

LGBTI staff groups organise social events for LGBTI staff and allies, raise awareness and push for more inclusive employment policies within their companies, but can also have an important role in supporting LGBTI activism

Increasing numbers of companies across Europe have LGBTI employee groups, sometimes known as LGBTI Employee Resource Groups or ERGs, providing supportive peer network for LGBTI staff members. Company leadership’s support for LGBTI staff groups is an indicator of the company’s values and commitment to diversity & inclusion. Support can look like official recognition of employee groups, allocating budget for activities, showing up and hearing issues raised, and committing to respect the rights of LGBTI people throughout the company’s operations.

It’s important that activities and support don’t stop at the company walls. Employee-led initiatives can have a positive impact not only on company culture but in broader society and for the LGBTI movement.

Employee-led initiatives at businesses across sectors are increasingly supporting the vital work of ILGA-Europe, as demonstrated in our freshly updated and launched ‘Partnership for Equality’ guide for companies. Initiatives can be serious, fun, innovative and really contribute to employee engagement on top of having a positive impact for the cause.

Examples of employee-led initiatives

For example, Toyota Motor Europe’s LGBTI staff group, called ‘All Colours of the Rainbow’, hosted a range of events to celebrate 2023 Pride, including taking part in the Brussels Pride march and throwing a fundraising drag show at their headquarters offices benefitting ILGA-Europe.

The Ipsos Pride Network organised an internal webinar, inviting a guest speaker from ILGA-Europe to talk about the situation for LGBTI rights across Europe, helping to raise awareness among colleagues.

Meanwhile, the team at easyJet also organised an online talk on LGBTI rights across Europe, with a speaker from ILGA-Europe, to raise awareness of the situation for LGBTI communities especially in the countries to where the airline flies. On a more fun note, the team also organised a bake-sale, dress-up day and gave colleagues the chance to have a go on a dance machine, all to raise money for ILGA-Europe.

Many companies have in place employee giving programmes, in which they match charitable donations made by employees. ILGA-Europe has benefitted from matched donations by employees from Google, Netflix, F5, Spotify, TripAdvisor, Apollo and many more. A wonderful example of making the most of employer matching comes from Hue, WP Engine’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, who marked Pride with a range of activities from charity talks to a poetry slam and dance party.  ILGA-Europe was one of their chosen charity beneficiaries for Pride, and WP Engine generously offered to match employee donations. 

If you’re part of an LGBTI employee network, or inspired to start one, you can find more inspiring examples and tips for getting involved in ILGA-Europe’s Partnerships for Equality guide.

In our joint effort to get candidates for European Elections to pledge their support for LGBTI rights, teaming up with the media is key. That way we can reach more candidates and inform more people about our cause. In this blog, we share some tips to help get your local media engaged in the Come Out 4 Europe campaign.

In a media landscape where so many are looking for attention, and minorities often go unseen, it can be an uphill battle to be heard by politicians amidst a sea of competing issues deemed more pressing. That’s precisely why we must be strategic when using our voices to stop the far right overtaking the upcoming EU elections. Collaboration with local media can gain access to candidate’s attention long enough to get them thinking about how they want to show their clear support LGBTI human rights as part of their commitment to freedom and democracy in their campaigns to get elected this coming June. Here are our top tips to get your local media talking!

1. Find the right media

You might not be able to access mainstream media, but there are alternative outlets that are both credible and receptive to covering LGBTI issues. Look for media outlets that have a track record of covering LGBTI issues progressively and inclusively. The key is to find balance – there is probably a media in your country that is dedicated to covering stories about social justice and equality and is seen as credible and relevant in the mainstream.

2. Pitch stories

Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, online news platforms, and television channels with a story related to LGBTI issues in your country or locality. Offer to provide them with interesting angles, personal stories, or expert opinions. Include a clear demand or question that challenges a politician, or a group of politicians. If the story gets picked up, it will generate pressure on the politicians mentioned, giving you a higher chance to get a response. If you can’t find the right contact for a journalist, search for them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and message them there.

3. Write letters to editors

Keep an eye on your local media’s opinion section and write letters to the editor on LGBTI human rights topics. Keep your letters short, clear, and to the point, and call on politicians to protect and support LGBTI human rights in the forthcoming European elections.

4. Share your story

If you feel comfortable, share your own experiences as an LGBTI person with local media outlets. Personal stories can be powerful tools for raising awareness and generating empathy. This doesn’t have to be a big production – a simple email or phone call to a reporter can start the conversation.

5. Connect LGBTI rights to the European elections

Use the attention surrounding the elections to insert LGBTI rights into the conversation about broader political issues. Research the platforms and priorities of political candidates and parties, and identify opportunities to link LGBTI rights to topics such as healthcare, education, and social justice. When you have some relevant content, pitch it to journalists. There will be a lot of press conferences and media events already focused on this topic. If you can, go to these events, ask questions in the name of LGBTI voters. Highlight the importance of LGBTI inclusion in political agendas and urge candidates to address these issues. LGBTI rights are integral to broader societal concerns, and by emphasising that we can improve our chances of being heard and our rights not being overlooked during this critical time.

5. Use the Come Out 4 Europe campaign

The Come Out 4 Europe campaign is a platform through which the candidates in every country in the EU can communicate how will they work for LGBTI rights if elected. The campaign and the pledge are ready-to-use platforms for starting conversations, encouraging candidates to share their views, and showing each EU country’s commitment to LGBTI rights. When creating content for media, you can use the campaign to show how your country is doing in comparison to others, for a larger perspective.

In our quest to secure support for LGBTI rights in the European Elections, the power of media collaboration emerges as a crucial ally. The tactics we share here will not only raise awareness but also exert pressure on politicians to address our concerns. On this journey towards equality and justice, we can ensure that our voices resonate loudly and our rights remain firmly on the agenda.

And lastly, don’t forget to vote!

Reach out to us at comeout@ilga-europe.org if you need support or if you require communications materials

Last year, Ukraine became a candidate country to join the European Union. But the country’s lack of LGBTI rights threatens to hinder the process

As Ukraine charts its course towards European Union enlargement, it’s vital to focus on improving LGBTI rights in the country. While there’s notable support from society – with 72% of Ukrainians now supporting equal rights for LGBT people – and the international community, hurdles within the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs threaten to impede progress.

Despite significant strides, resistance persists within the corridors of power. This resistance not only undermines Ukraine’s commitment to EU integration but also poses a threat to the rights and freedoms of LGBTI people.

The leverage of the EU accession process cannot be overstated. The European institutions and EU member states have strength and influence to achieve change. By actively engaging with Ukrainian counterparts and lending their support to legislative initiatives aimed at safeguarding the rights of all individuals, the European Commission and Parliament, but also EU governments play a crucial role in Ukraine’s journey towards EU integration.

Recognition of same-sex partnerships

Recently, members of the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup sent a letter to President Volodymyr Zelensky, showing their support for two important draft laws in Ukraine. These laws, if passed, could make a big difference for LGBTI people in Ukraine and bring the country closer to joining the EU.

One of these laws, Draft Law 9103 is the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships. Beyond its legal implications, this would symbolise a monumental shift towards equality and non-discrimination, echoing the values espoused by the EU. If passed, it would provide legal protections and rights to same-sex couples, similar to those enjoyed by heterosexual couples, such as inheritance rights, medical decision-making authority, and financial protections – many of these rights reaching a new significance since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Protection against hate crimes

Another crucial law mentioned in the letter and awaiting the decision of the Ukrainian Parliament, Draft Law 5488, is the Protection Against Hate Crimes – including those motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. If enacted, it would provide legal protections to LGBTI people and other vulnerable groups who are targeted for violence or discrimination based on their identity.

In its judgment of 11 April 2024 in Karter v. Ukraine, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ukraine violated Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) in conjunction with Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) in view of the ineffective investigation of two verbal and physical attacks of the applicant, a gay man, involving homophobic slurs. Further to the first attack, the authorities did not follow up on the applicants’ hate crime allegations and initially classified it as a robbery. The Court noted that the criminal-law classification the national authorities had chosen for the second attack as falling under the ordinary provisions of criminal law undermined their ability to uncover the alleged homophobic motive behind the attack.

The Court specifically considered the lack of explicit recognition of attacks motivated by sexual orientation as an aggravating circumstance in domestic criminal law in general and under Article 161 of the Criminal Code in particular and the difficulty that the absence of such recognition in domestic criminal law causes in the effective investigation of homophobia-motivated attacks. It considers that domestic authorities should “conduct the investigation taking all reasonable steps with the aim of unmasking the role of possible homophobic motives for the attack” as, otherwise, “prejudice‑motivated crimes would unavoidably be treated on an equal footing with ordinary cases without such overtones, and the resultant indifference would be tantamount to official acquiescence to or even connivance with hate crimes.”

This court ruling serves as another reason for Ukraine to prioritize and enact legislation aimed at addressing the issues highlighted, further emphasizing the urgency of legal reform in safeguarding the rights of LGBTI individuals. As Ukraine moves forward on its path towards European Union enlargement, the support of EU institutions and politicians is crucial in achieving meaningful change and upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination. By enacting these laws, Ukraine not only strengthens its position on the path towards EU integration but also reinforces its commitment to human rights.

Today, as we mark International Roma Day, we celebrate a diversity of voices within the Roma LGBTI community, revealing the resilience, strength, and beauty of a community that is often silenced and made invisible

For Roma people who identify as LGBTI, their lives come with a unique set challenges and complexities. It is a journey that traverses the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and culture, navigating landscapes shaped by centuries of marginalisation and discrimination.

Within the Roma community, where traditions run deep and cultural norms are fiercely upheld, the experience of being LGBTI can be particularly fraught, often leading to invisibility, rejection and isolation. Yet, despite these challenges, so many Roma LGBTI people, who can be open about who they are, carve out spaces of belonging.

In this blog, through a selection of resources, we are shining a spotlight on the lived experiences, struggles, and triumphs of Roma LGBTI community, offering insight, understanding, and solidarity.

Stories of LGBTQ+ People of Roma Origin by Ara Art

This collection delves into the real-life experiences of queer Roma individuals. From tales of triumph to stories of struggle, these accounts offer a wonderful and enlightening glimpse into issues of multiple discrimination, but also celebrate the joy of being LGBTQ+ and Roma.  

Manifesto “A better place for Roma LGBT+ in social movements”

This manifesto, written by Roma feminists, queers, and allies, exposes the systemic racial inequalities and exclusion experienced by Roma LGBT+ individuals and calls for genuine representation, challenging existing power dynamics, and urging solidarity in combating racism and discrimination within social movements.

The Prague Declaration, published by Ara Art

A document from the First International Roma LGBTIQ Conference underscores the need to address discrimination faced by LGBTI Roma, Gypsy, Sinti, and Travellers across Europe, calling for the establishment of a joint European platform to advocate for their human rights.

Article by Lucie Fremlova about the book “Queer Roma: In-depth Insight into Their Lives”

Discussing the book, Queer Roma: In-depth Insight into Their Lives,  published by Routledge, this article highlights the publication’s profound exploration of the complex intersections of anti-gypsyism, homophobia, and transphobia shaping the identities of queer Roma individuals.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller LGBTQ+ Spoken History Archive by RCAC and ERIAC

This archive made by Romani Cultural & Arts Company (RCAC) and the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) presents a diverse collection of interviews, representing intersectional experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals within Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities worldwide. Ara Art offers commentary on the work, further emphasising the significance of its narratives and insightful discussions.

Intersectional Inequalities Faced by Romani Queer Women by Ahmad Al-Kurdi

Exploring the challenges confronted by queer Romani women in Eastern and Central Europe, highlighting the interplay between economic deprivation and symbolic injustices within this marginalised group.

Unveiling Inequality Experiences of LGBTI+ Travellers & Roma by Dr. Sarah Sartori

This peer-research initiative from Ireland unveils the experiences of exclusion faced by LGBTI+ Travellers and Roma, and represents the largest study of its kind in the country, engaging 57 participants through online surveys and focus group discussions.

The Roma minority and its status in selected EU countries (CZ, SK AND HU) by Ara Art

This report delves into the situation of LGBTQ+ individuals of Roma origin and presents an analysis spanning the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, offering realistic recommendations and reflections on future developments.

Roma LGBTI, Feminist Movement and Scholarship by Dezso˝ Máté

Reflecting on the past 50 years of the international Roma movement, this volume traces the evolution of Roma cultural identity politics and civil rights activism.

We acknowledge that there are many lesser-known yet equally valuable resources on Roma LGBTi lives and experiences created by smaller organisations and communities. We extend an invitation to these groups to share their resources with us, so we can enrich our list even further and ensure a more comprehensive representation of the Roma LGBTI experience.

Here are some highly effective, but easy ways to engage your local candidates for the European Elections with the Come Out 4 Europe campaign towards LGBTI freedom and equality across the EU

The upcoming European Parliament elections in June 2024 present an opportunity for candidates to declare their support for LGBTI freedom and equality in the EU and beyond. ILGA-Europe’s campaign, Come Out 4 Europe, is not just a call to action. By signing the pledge on the campaign website, candidates clearly communicate their support for LGBTI voters and allies. It shows that they recognise and acknowledge the demands for steps toward equality. In this blog, we share six low-effort but highly efficient tips designed to mobilise candidates and encourage them to commit to protecting and advancing LGBTI human rights by singing the Come Out 4 Europe pledge.

1. Send them a letter

You can begin by kindly inviting the candidates in your country to sign the pledge. Use our letter example as a basis, adding your unique voice and perspective, or translating it into your national language. Personalised communication with a simple call to action can create genuine connections with politicians.

2. Request a Meeting

Contact your candidate and request a meeting to talk to them about the pledge. At the meeting, present a printed out version of the pledge for them to read. When talking, be polite and firm, but not confrontational. Present facts and figures you have gathered (see above), but also give them personal stories – let them know how real people are being affected. At the end of the meeting, having again asked them to sign the pledge, thank them for their time.

3. Be loud on social media

In a world dominated by digital discourse, social media is a potent tool for advocacy. Use your online presence to actively engage with candidates on various platforms. Amplify the visibility of signed pledges by sharing updates from the Come Out 4 Europe website, tagging candidates and their parties, stimulating a ripple effect of awareness and momentum. Employ simple strategic tactics such as encouraging friendly competition between parties by saying which ones are doing best, and which ones could do better, and spotlight countries that are either excelling or have the potential to improve their numbers of pledge signatures.

4. Leverage your network

Use your pre-existing relationships and affiliations within your community. Reach out to the candidates or political party staff you might know and persuade them to sign the pledge. Turn to your friends, friends of friends, allies, and fellow activists who have connections to the candidates and encourage them to do the same. Attend local events and forums where candidates congregate, such as campaign launches or hustings, and have a friendly conversation – the pledge can serve as a conversation starter with a candidate looking for votes.

5. Mobilise allies

Expand your community, mobilising allies and comrades to enhance our collective voice. LGBTI rights are human rights and even movements whose primary focus lies elsewhere can be amplifiers of this campaign for change. Talk to activists from diverse groups, asking them to participate. Encourage them to actively engage on social media platforms, disseminate campaign updates, and champion the cause. Every interaction, such as a like, share, or retweet, can help candidates realise that the improvement of the human rights of LGBTI people is a political goal they should strive for in the current climate.

6. Use ILGA-Europe’s resources

Explore ILGA-Europe’s extensive collection of resources to give you the right things to say to candidates. From the pledge itself to the in-depth Annual Review of the Human Rights of LGBTI People in Europe, which gives information about how LGBTI human rights are at stake in your country, and the Rainbow Map, these resources can provide you with facts and numbers when you talk or write to your candidates. Equip yourself with facts and compelling arguments drawn from these sources, empowering candidates with the knowledge and conviction to champion LGBTI people’s human rights.

And remember… follow up!

Deciding how you are going to follow up is important. For instance, if you have personally engaged with a candidate and they haven’t signed the pledge, you could phone their office to give a reminder. Or if they seem to not have taken notice of your social media engagement and not signed the pledge, follow up with another message. Don’t be confrontational and don’t bombard. Just a message or two over the coming months is better than going overboard or not messaging at all. If a candidate you engage with signs the pledge, don’t forget to thank them, ask them to share the fact they’ve done it, and to pass the pledge on to other candidates in their parties.

We have the power to influence the future direction of Europe. Let’s unite our efforts, utilise our resources, and encourage candidates to show support for the LGBTI community. Together, let’s work towards securing freedom for LGBTI people in the Europe we want to see.

Reach out to us at comeout@ilga-europe.org if you need support or if you require communications materials

A brand new Issue Paper from the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Gender Identity and Expression not only sheds light on the challenges faced by trans and non-binary individuals across Europe and beyond, but also serves as a comprehensive tool for advocacy activism

The Council of Europe (COE) Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, has released a new Issue Paper which thoroughly examines the challenges faced by trans and non-binary people across Europe. The Paper includes a wide range of insights, recommendations and analysis, offering a comprehensive overview of the landscape of the rights of trans and non-binary people in Europe and beyond.

The Paper includes 15 recommendations aimed at policymakers, legal professionals, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, providing a clear roadmap for advancing the human rights of trans and non-binary people. These recommendations cover a wide range of demands activists have had for decades and cover a spectrum of directions, from fundamental reforms in legal recognition procedures, such as the removal of diagnosis and sterilisation requirements, to policy changes aimed at fostering greater inclusivity and respect for gender diversity, such as the call for the inclusion of non-binary gender markers on identity documents.

A dynamic new tool for change

This paper signals a renewed commitment of the COE to protecting the rights of trans and non-binary individuals, however, it is much more than that. It’s also a dynamic tool that provides a roadmap for advocacy efforts for legislative change. The 13 sub-chapters within the paper offer comprehensive analyses and recommendations, serving as robust advocacy tools in themselves, under these helpful headings:

•             Enjoyment of human rights

•             Equality and non-discrimination

•             Gender identity and gender expression conversion practices

•             Legal gender recognition

•             Violence, hate crimes and hate speech

•             Detention

•             Family life

•             Education

•             Sport

•             Employment

•             Poverty and housing

•             Healthcare

•             Sanitation

•             Asylum

Each sub-chapter is equipped with a wealth of references to human rights instruments, various studies, and laws, providing a solid foundation for advocacy work.

Let’s take recommendation No ’8 as an example:

Ensure that national laws prohibit discrimination due to gender identity and gender expression in all decisions relating to family life, including birth registration rules, custody, adoption and access to assisted reproductive technologies. When birth registration systems are gendered, trans people should be registered as parents in accordance with their gender identity, and alternative systems should continue to be explored to reflect the growing diversity of families.

Activists who have work on family rights for trans and non-binary people among their advocacy goals can go to chapter 2.6 in the paper, entitled Family Life. There are three subsections in the chapter: Parenthood, Parental status, and Trans families across borders. Each has references to case law or legal drafts and represents the Commissioner’s selection of arguments and resources that are most beneficiary to the cause.

In total, the paper includes 269 references, linked throughout. This not only demonstrates the depth of research underpinning the Issue Paper but also serves as a testament to its credibility and relevance in advocacy activism.

Powerful trans-inclusive terminology

The Paper also introduces a strong range of trans-inclusive terminology, ranging from “gender fluidity” to “non-binary identities,” thereby contributing to the normalisation and visibility of marginalised experiences. By embedding such terminology within a human rights framework, the paper not only validates the lived experiences of gender minorities but also challenges societal norms and stereotypes.

Consider the term “self-determination”, a concept prominently featured in discussions surrounding Legal Gender Recognition. This term, while commonplace in LGBTI activism discourse, holds profound implications for trans and non-binary individuals seeking autonomy over their gender identity. By unpacking such terminology within the Issue Paper, activists are equipped with the language and concepts necessary to articulate their demands and navigate legal and policy frameworks.

The importance of recognition

While LGBTI activists are intimately familiar with the gaps in trans and non-binary rights, it is of great importance that they are recognised and shed light upon in a forward-thinking paper from a human rights institution of such great influence, giving them further visibility across other movements and audiences. Through its comprehensive research, inclusive terminology, and actionable recommendations the Issue Paper on Human Rights and Gender Identity and Expression has every chance of contributing to our collective action in the advancing human rights of trans and non-binary people.

You can read the Issue Paper on Human Rights and Gender Identity and Expression here

In this blog, marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, seven of our partner organisations share their aspirations, visions, and messages for the wider LGBTI movement

Across Europe and Central Asia, tremendous collective work is needed to undo deeply embedded prejudice, racism, inequities and oppression.

Many groups and collectives, led by and working for racialised LGBTI communities, are putting their knowledge, time, energy and talent to use, day in and day out, in the undoing of prejudice and oppression within our movements and societies.

Here are the visions seven of our partner organisations, run by racialised activists, hold for the movement and the future.

ARA ART – Czechia

“We are working towards future where intersectional equality will be key to everyone feeling respected and supported in their unique identities.”

“In the future LGBTI movement in Europe, it should be a priority to protect and respect particularly vulnerable minorities within the LGBTI movement to ensure that every individual feels safe and supported.”

Break Isolation group/International Women* Space (IWS) – Germany     

“We are working towards a future where the freedom of movement, autonomy, emancipation and liberation of racialised queer folk is a right, not a privilege.”

“In the future LGBT movement in Europe, we hope to collaborate, join formidable alliances and create sustainable community care and support systems for racialised LGBT persons in Europe and beyond.”

Fite Qlub – netherlands

“We are working towards a future where people living in the Western world are not subjected to racialisation, homophobia, and transphobia. Our mission is to end systemic oppression, both political and economic, against LGBTQI+ communities that are not conforming with the norms of Western society, and achieve sexual liberation through an intersectional and anti-colonial approach.”

“In the future European LGBTI movement, we need to collaborate with our comrades and allies to create networks of care and solidarity to support each other. The challenges occurring in one country affect others, despite the illegitimate borders drawn by nation-states with a colonial mindset. European policies and institutions often perpetuate the destiny for a white, cis, heteronormative, capitalist system that is an oppressive tool over our communities in Europe.”

Minbar Wien – Austria   

“We are working towards a future where people feel more connectedness within the queer community.”

“In this future, the LGBTI movement in Europe will include racialised points of view and needs within the decision-making process and will make a space for cultural diversity within the priorities.”

La Pride des Banlieues – France 

“We are working towards future where the most marginalised people will have access to the same rights as everyone.”

“In this future LGBTI movement in Europe, we will strive to make the struggles of racialised and marginalised people more visible and will ensure that they are heard.”

Rainbow Mind – UK        

“We are working towards a future where all LGBTQIA people have access to culturally competent mental health services and where all parts of their identity are welcome.”

“For this future LGBTI movement in Europe, we call for mental health support for all LGBTQIA people as a human right. We need a radical approach to health activism to co-produce mental health support tailored by and for racialised LGBTQIA people.”

Rainbow Nation Brussels – Belgium        

“We, at Rainbow Nation Brussels, are working towards a future where every Black, brown, and person of colour within the LGBTQIA+ community feels valued, heard, and supported.”

“In this future, let’s commit to deconstructing our biases, unlearning racist behaviours and collectively creating spaces that are truly inclusive, where every member of our community can thrive without fear of marginalisation or injustice.”

ILGA-Europe has the privilege to learn from and work with these groups through our dedicated programme in support of the work done by and for racialised LGBTI communities. We are currently inviting project proposals for the next iteration of this programme, as we continue our commitment to providing funds and support for those in the LGBTI movement who address intersectional impacts of injustice, racialisation, racism and supremacy, affecting the lives of racialised LGBTI communities across Europe.

Despite hateful campaigns and attacks on LGBTI rights, more and more people across the EU agree that LGBTI people deserve equal rights and a life free from discrimination, according to a new report. 

Published last month, the latest Eurobarometer report, charting public opinion in the European Union, shows acceptance of LGBTI people is clearly on the rise across all EU countries. The claim of some governments that they represent the will of the majority of their people when discriminating against LGBTI people, does not hold against the findings.

The report also clearly shows that acceptance is significantly higher amongst people who know someone from the LGBTI community personally, counteracting the characterisation of LGBTI people as an abstract threat by some leaders. Being friends with LGBTI people has a large impact on responses to the survey questions.

The results, however, reflect clearly that ongoing attacks on LGBTI rights have had an impact. The report has found that more than half of the general public say there is widespread discrimination in their country on the basis of gender identity (being transgender, 57%) or sexual orientation (54%). Discrimination against intersex people is in the high numbers too, at 47%. Published last month, the report finds that the highest levels of perceived discrimination are on the basis of being Roma (65%), of skin colour (61%,), and of ethnic origin (60%). 

The Eurobarometer survey is carried out every four years, with the last report published in 2019. Public perception of discrimination against trans people has grown by nine percentage points (pp’s) since then, while against intersex people, it is up by eight pp’s. Sexual orientation is up just one pp, however the fact remains that over half of respondents think discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is widespread.

However, at the same time, a rising number of 69% of EU citizens say that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should have the same rights as heterosexual people, and 64% say that trans people should have the same rights as everyone else. 

When it comes to legal gender recognition, 62% believe that trans people should be able to change their civil documents to match their gender identity. Further, 47% believe that official documents should offer a third option (X or O) for those who do not identify as female or male. Notably, for both of these questions, the percent of respondents agreeing increased (3 pp’s and 1 pp, respectively), but the number disagreeing also increased (2 pp’s and 4 pp’s, respectively). This may indicate that there is increased awareness of the issue in the EU, as in both cases, the number of respondents saying that they did not know decreased by 5 pp’s.

Increasing support also for same-sex marriage

72% of respondents say that same sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe; up three pp’s since 2019. In Hungary and Poland, which have seen much anti-LGBTI rhetoric since the last Eurobarometer report, 42% and 50% of respondents agree with same sex marriage, respectively, showing the resilience of the public’s perspective even in the face of intense political anti-LGBTI pressure. The notable exceptions here are Bulgaria and Romania. Just 17% of Bulgarians agree with same sex marriage and 25% of Romanians.

Support for inclusive education

Most respondents think school lessons and material should include information about sexual orientation (71%) and the existence of multiple gender identities (68%). In 2019, 71% also said that sexual orientation should be included in curricula; so despite the heavy public attacks on inclusive education, support is stable.

In Hungary, the numbers of people agreeing with the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identities (SOGI) in education have even gone up. There’s an increase of two pp’s in those who agree with inclusion of sexual orientation and a striking eight pp’s in those who agree with education on multiple gender identities.

Levels of comfort

The Eurobarometer survey asks respondents about their levels of comfort with LGBTI people in their lives, including with relationships their adult children are in, as colleagues, and in the highest elected positions.

The numbers in this regard are high. 59% of European citizens, for instance, would be totally comfortable if one of their children was in a love relationship with someone of the same sex, while 48% would be comfortable if their offspring were in love relationships with trans or intersex persons (the Eurobarometer survey puts both trans and intersex together in this series of questions). Lesbian, gay and/or bisexual government leaders would be “totally comfortable” for 68% of respondents (up 4 pp from 2019), while 58% would be happy to have a trans or intersex person in the highest elected position.

A clear message

The overall findings of this Eurobarometer survey are that despite a surge over the past few years in anti-LGBTI hate speech and violence, and negative media reporting particularly in relation to trans people, most Europeans are far more accepting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people than it would appear on the surface, and that governments who are introducing legislation that discriminates against LGBTI people are not in accordance with the will of the citizens of their countries. As a measure of attitudes in the EU, it shows that governments should be introducing more protections, while making sure that legislation already in place is fully implemented.

This year marked the end of Evelyne Paradis’ tenure as Executive Director of ILGA-Europe. Here Evelyne shares five fundamental things she’s learned over almost 20 years in the job about how the LGBTI movement can continue and grow as powerful agents of change

Over the past 18 years, I’ve had the privilege to hold a very unique vantage point on the LGBTI activist movement in our region, the journey of human rights for LGBTI people in the political framework, and how this work has been funded. Here are some reflections that seem particularly relevant to me at this particular moment in time.

As we watch the further rise of far-right, anti-democratic forces, there are many reasons to worry that the work for human rights is unravelling, including a backsliding in places where we thought many LGBTI human rights protections had been secured.

While we find ourselves in a very complex and dim situation right now, one of the unique beauties of having been with ILGA-Europe for almost two decades is that the longevity of those 18 years allows me to see just how much positive change has happened and how far we have actually come.

There have been enormous leaps forward in legal protection of the human rights of LGBTI people; remarkable shifts in public attitudes supporting LGBTI people across the region; an empowering surge of visibility of LGBTI people across parts of society; a multitude of free and affirming Pride marches and other public events taking place every year; a growing diverse and impactful LGBTI movement driving change in every country; and a significant increase in political support for LGBTI human rights and equality across Europe.

Our movement has so much to be proud of, and we continue to be more empowered, resourced and supported as we continue to move forward.

None of the progress happened overnight, nor happened easily. It is first and foremost thanks to the fierce perseverance, unwavering commitment, dedication of time and self of countless past and present activists. It is also about how activists, groups and organisations have been doing the work over the years.

Looking back at this progress, I’m looking forward with the knowledge of what has been core to the change over the years, and how that can be both recognised and harnessed so that this movement can continue to make change happen. Here are my five fundamental understandings:

1. Real change is most often a result of long-term, sustained and collective efforts, including a lot of invisible work

In our social media driven world, it can be tempting to go for fast wins that make for attention grabbing stories, to focus on where immediate opportunities for change lie, to think that a single person, group or organisation can make change happen on their own.

But looking at the bigger picture, at how wins were secured and change has actually come into being, none of this thinking holds.

From my experience, here are key ingredients to our collective successes:

It’s been about holding the longer-term vision and being dedicated to planting seeds for longer-term change, while attending to the more immediate needs emerging from communities

It’s been about investing in the too often invisible and very time-intensive, yet essential work of building alliances and relationships based on trust and mutual respect across movements

It’s been about creating safe and inclusive spaces where communities build their own strengths and become true agents of change about their own lives

It’s been about consciously making time to learn from each other and to challenge ourselves and our thinking, and remaining open to new learning from within and outside our movement

It’s been about finding ways for all of us to play our part, from local, national, regional and global, knowing that it’s when we bring it all together that we achieve most change

It’s been about seeing the value of different strategies and knowing we all have a role, whether it is speaking with politicians and policy-makers, providing direct services, organising public action, and so much more.

It’s been about placing humanity at the core of our actions, especially in times of turmoil, and making sure the work is about real change in the day-to-day lives of real people.

2. We must embrace and harness the power of our diversity

Diversity is at the core of what makes this movement strong. It is about diversity of lived experiences, of identities, of positions in the world. It’s about diversity of strategies, of ways of organising and of ideas.

Our diversity is a richness. It’s what makes the movement dynamic and creative. It’s what allows us to learn and to grow by having a range of perspectives and insights. It’s what makes us more accountable and ultimately more inclusive as we hear, engage with and create spaces for the wide range of voices to have equal share in our communities and societies.

Most of us recognise this, and yet, in our practices and actions, we too easily overlook, brush aside, ignore diversity in experiences, in ideas and opinions, in privileges. That’s because embracing diversity is not always easy. We all know how quickly our differences can become sources of tensions rather than bringing us together.

That’s why for our diversity to be a real strength, it requires everyone in the movement to be committed to learning and to having conversations, some of them challenging and uncomfortable. It requires that each of us question our own points of resistance to diverse perspectives and realities, and work on how we each contribute to connecting across our differences.

Even though it may not always feel like it, this movement has shown it can have those difficult conversations. What I have seen over my years at ILGA-Europe is that when we embrace those differences, and when we create conditions to address any tension expressed in a safe and constructive manner, when we are open to being shaken to our core, that’s also where learning and growth happens. And we need to continue to learn if we are to move ever closer to our vision of truly equitable spaces in communities, movements and societies.

I do hope that activists in our movement will have full trust in their ability to have these harder yet necessary conversations collectively. What I’ve seen over all these years is that people care deeply about continuing to learn about each other’s different realities, and to explore what is the best and better way of doing the work. And that at the end of the day, kindness and care prevail.

3. Trusting and supporting others to change is essential to our work

We have to trust that people can learn and do change. I say this with great confidence because none of the achievements of the past decades would have been possible if politicians, allies across our societies, the communities in which we live, had not changed.

This said, trusting that people can learn and change requires from us that we can take a big leap of faith and that we are patient. There is no denying that it is often such a hard thing to do. Especially because it asks of us that we accept that people will make mistakes along the way, and that if they are to learn from those mistakes, it often means that we are the ones taking on a responsibility in supporting them to do so.

It is hard because it also requires us to have the humility to recognise that learning and changing is hard for everyone, including ourselves. None of us like to change. In fact, very few of us change our minds easily, especially on what we hold most dear in our lives. We have to acknowledge this about ourselves so we can see this and accept it in others. As difficult as this is to do, this is also where we can connect as human beings and bring people along.

4. We have every right to ask with confidence for the resources we need

As I offer these reflections, I want every activist to know that I see and have seen, just like the whole ILGA-Europe team has, that there is a huge pressure on everyone in this moment. While profound and lasting change has happened over the past two decades, we cannot deny that this moment in time is difficult.

As activists, you truly deserve to have adequate means, both in money and people, and to receive truly meaningful support from people and institutions who have resources to accompany you.

LGBTI groups and organisations, big and small, are carrying a very heavy load. They are continuing to adapt their actions to make progress despite the increasing number of obstacles, and they are taking on many new tasks in addition to work they’ve been doing for years already, finding ways to continue to be there for their communities in sometimes very high-risk and conflict-ridden contexts, all the while continuing to care for each other and still show up for other movements.

In many places, activists are not only carrying the LGBTI work, they are at the forefront of fights for gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights, democracy and social justice, and they are delivering humanitarian aid.

This work is not only about LGBTI rights and equality, but is about the survival of democracy, so you should know you can be confident and clear in saying to donors and institutions who have means to support you: “This is what we need from you, and this is how we need you to show up for us”.

5. We must share power, elevate each other, and invest in collective strength

Thinking back to what ILGA-Europe look liked when I started, it might look profoundly different. From a team of six to one of 25, a budget that is six times what it was, a membership that more than triple in size, ILGA-Europe has grown so much over those years.

And yet, to me, ILGA-Europe has not changed in what matters most. Beyond the growth markers in the organisation, such as staff numbers and annual budget, far-reaching political reach and impact, we have stayed true to our core values, the values that I arrived into, the values and vision of how to do movement work that came from the many people who paved the way.

The strength of ILGA-Europe comes from the core belief that it is only by working together, by sharing power and by elevating each other that we achieve the change we want to see in our world. When an organisation is built around nurturing the best in all of us and bringing it all together so that everyone can contribute and feel part of a shared purpose, therein lies true strength.  

I have been asked what I thought my legacy with ILGA-Europe would be. If there’s a legacy to be had, I’d like it to be this: that ILGA-Europe will continue to strive, to innovate, to meet the moment, and get even more beautiful as time continues. To show that it is never about one person but about what is built collectively over time.

Amid legislative attacks on LGBTI rights in Italy, a new report by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, calls on the Italian government to protect everyone from hate and violence

Since the new Italian government came into power in 2022, it has been toying with the rights of LGBTI people. Draft legislation that would do away with the internationally agreed protection of asylum seekers based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity has been put forward, as well as guidelines that have led to the deregistration of lesbian mothers in several Italian cities, the drafting of a law to penalise surrogacy conducted abroad with criminal sanctions, and attempts to intimidate teachers supporting trans children in schools.

A new report by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, clearly names the discontinuation of transcriptions of foreign birth certificates of children born from surrogacy or artificial reproduction technology, and the lack of protections for LGBTI people against discrimination and hatred, as human rights violations. It calls on the Italian government to step up protection of LGBTI people and their families, and to protect everyone in Italy from hate and violence.

The country report on Italy, released last week, is based on a visit the Commissioner undertook in June of this year. It addresses the topics of asylum and migration, women’s rights and gender equality, freedom of expression, safety of journalists, protection from hate crime and hate speech based on SOGIESC, and children’s rights.

Attacks on children’s rights

Addressing children’s rights, the Commissioner highlights the recent attacks against rainbow families in Italy. In January 2023, the government issued a Directive instructing local authorities to discontinue the automatic transcription of foreign birth certificates of children born through surrogacy and inviting them to register only the biological parent. A second Directive was later issued, clarifying that the these guidelines should also be followed in cases of children born following other artificial reproduction technology.

Some prosecutors began to retroactively challenge the transcription of foreign birth certificates of children born to same-sex parents. In Padua at least 33 mothers of 37 children received notification that their child(ren)’s birth certificates, in which two women’s names appeared, were illegitimate. In many cases, the deregistration comes after many years, and the children thus ‘lose’ one mother, and sometimes their family name, from one day to the other.

While the government claims that parents have a legal route to establish parentage of the second parent, namely via a special adoption procedure (“adozione in casi particolari”), LGBTI organisations have long pointed out that these procedures can take up to years, are very costly and depend on the courts, which vary from region to region.

The European Court of Human Rights clearly ruled that states need to establish a mechanism to allow for recognition of the parent–child relationship for non-genetic parents, such as through adoption, and that children should not be blamed for their parents’ decisions, including about conception. In her report, the Commissioner confirms that the Italian procedure does not comply with the best interests of the child and reminds that even Italy’s Constitutional Court recommended the legislation be amended accordingly to ensure adoption rights for all families without discrimination.

In the absence of legally ensured adoption for all, the Commissioner calls on Italy to stop deregistering parents, as some prosecutors have started to do in a response to the governmental Decree.

The attacks on rainbow families must be seen in the context of broader attacks by the government on the LGBTI community in Italy and their fundamental rights. Schools have been called upon to no longer accept the gender identity of trans children in education, the draft law proposing to withdraw the possibility to seek asylum based on prosecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity is still on the table, and LGBTI-phobic hate speech, including from politicians, has been on the rise.

Anti-LGBTI speech and hate crime

In the light of the rise in LGBTI-phobic hate and violence, the Commissioner highlights the lack of national level anti-discrimination, anti-hate speech and hate crimes legislation covering sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) grounds and calls on the Italian government to fill this legislative gap. The Commissioner highlights in particular the need to improve awareness of and response to violence against LBTI women.

The Human Rights Commissioner highlights the importance of consistent application of the legal asylum framework concerning the protection of vulnerable persons.  According to us, this clearly also applies to the worrying moves of the Italian government to remove SOGI as protected grounds in the asylum law. Under EU law, Italy has several obligations to provide protection to vulnerable groups, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Commissioner’s report is yet another voice of international institutions raising concerns about how the Italian government is failing to protect the human rights of LGBTI people and instead is more and more using LGBTI people as pawns in political games, putting them at risk of violence and discrimination. The attacks by the government are a reminder that only legal protections such as adoption rights for same-sex couples can ensure that the fundamental rights and the best interest of all children to have their parents recognised are guaranteed – legal protection that Italy is largely lacking. The lack of legal protections for LGBTI people has resulted in Italy being one of the lowest ranking EU Member States on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map – placing at 22 out of 27 EU member states currently.

Together with Italian LGBTI organisations and activists, ILGA-Europe will continue to call on the Italian government to reconsider its current anti-LGBTI actions and decisions and work to advance legal protection, especially in the area of non-discrimination, family recognition and protection against hatred and violence.

Every day of the year, ILGA-Europe is a hive of activity. Our 25 staff members are constantly working on a myriad of projects and initiatives to contribute to change for LGBTI people in Europe and Central Asia. Here’s an infographic of the highlights of the work done in 2023*. Not everything could be included but we hope it gives you a snapshot of the variety, depth and reach of our work!

*The information in this infographic encompasses our work from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023

For the four days of our Annual Conference in Ljubljana this year, our roving photographers were there to capture every minute. Here are the highlights!

In October we gathered together with 450 activists from across Central in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana for the ILGA-Europe for the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference. And what an experience it turned out to be! Four inspirational days of connecting, sharing, thinking, talking, listening, learning, re-energising and building strength for the work to come. There was lots of laughter too, rooted in the sheer, queer joy of being together in such a special and mutually supportive space. And, of course, there was our traditional karaoke, with a host of unforgettable performances! Here we share a visual snapshot of the conference with selected images from our wonderful photographers, Domen and Nada. Thanks again to our host organisations in Ljubljana, Legebitra, Ljubljana Pride, ŠKUC, and TransAkcija!