On 17 July, the media outlets reported that the Italian authorities began retroactively stripping same-sex parents of their legal connection to their children. Until March, there were several Italian cities where same-sex couples could be listed as “parents”—as opposed to “mother” and “father”—on birth registrations. But the Interior Ministry began sending letters ordering an end to the practice. So far, 27 families in the northern city of Padua have received a warning letter, affecting the lives of 33 children.

On 8 July, The Tbilisi Pride cancelled the scheduled Pride event in the city after violent far-right groups’ mobs attacked the event and the participants. The organisers declared that they were compelled to cancel the Pride and evacuate the territory. ILGA-Europe condemned the attacks and said that “Public statements that stoke such hatred against LGBTI people is at the foundation of this violence, and must be confronted by all who care about democracy, safety and freedom in our societies”. (Photo credit: Tbilisi Pride)

On 13 July, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the crackdown on the media and freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan. They urge the Kyrgyz authorities to withdraw and review a number of laws that are inconsistent with the country’s international commitments. This includes the controversial law on “false information” as well as the draft laws on “foreign representatives”, “mass media” and “protecting children from harmful information”, the so-called “LGBTI propaganda law”.

On 5 July, the European Commission published its annual Rule of Law report. ILGA-Europe worked with LGBTI organisations across the EU to provide input on the violations of LGBTI rights in the ERU rule of law framework. The report highlights in various country chapters how LGBTI people are impacted by inadequate respect for the rule of law, government control of media, corruption, attacks on civic space and HRDs, and manipulation of legal processes to directly curtail the rights of LGBTI people. Attacks on fundamental rights of LGBTI people are an attack on democracy, and EU institutions and member states need to use all tools available to hold governments accountable to their commitments to democracy and human rights for all.

On 7 July, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović shared an open letter addressed to the Macedonian Parliament. The Commissioner calls on North Macedonia to adopt amendments that would implement the 2019 ECtHR judgement regarding access to legal gender recognition. Importantly she encourages resisting pressure from groups which promote misinformation about LGBTI people and their rights.

On 24 July, the Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new legislation into law, introducing a comprehensive ban on trans-specific healthcare and legal gender recognition, effectively limiting individuals’ autonomy over their own bodies and identities. ILGA-Europe stand united and in solidarity with our allies and partner organisations in demanding justice, equality, and dignity for trans, gender-diverse and intersex people in Russia. We will continue to advocate tirelessly for the full recognition of their human rights, including bodily autonomy, access to comprehensive healthcare, legal gender recognition based on self-determination, and the right to form families of trans and gender diverse people in Russia.

TGEU – Transgender Europe published a call for data and reports on violence and discrimination trans people in and from Ukraine. The survey will help TGEU understand the types of violence trans people in and from Ukraine are experiencing, TGEU will use this data to advocate at the UN and EU level. Any trans person who experienced violence or discrimination can make a report. Additionally, any allies who have contact with a trans person who experienced discrimination or violence can make a report on that person’s behalf, with their consent.
Read more and submit your report.