Rainbow Digest October 2024
Courageous conversations at the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference
Groundbreaking judgement from the EU Court of Justice
On 4 October, the CJEU ruled that the refusal of an EU member state to recognise changes of forename and gender marker acquired in another member state is contrary to the rights of EU citizens.
“This judgement will have an immensely positive impact, increasing legal protection for all trans people in the EU,” said ILGA-Europe’s Senior Strategic Litigation Officer, Marie-Hélène Ludwig
Kazakhstan risks further affiliating with Russia
On 9 October, Mr Rinat Zaitov, a member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, formally requested the government to declare a leading LGBTI civil society organisation as extremist, which would lead to prohibition on its operation and the penalisation of its staff. In a joint statement seven LGBTI organisations strongly urged the government not to follow the path that Russia and its allies have chosen in recent years.
“We call on the Government of Kazakhstan not to declare Feminita or any civil society organisation supporting LGBTI people as extremist, and to duly protect civil society organisations from attacks from third parties, as well as to focus on actual public concerns.”
ILGA-Europe news
430+ LGBTI activists and allies taking courage in Bucharest
Our 26th Annual Conference took place between 16-19 October in Romania, hosted by local organisations, ACCEPT and MozaiQ. More than 430 people, from 53 countries, from all manners of organisations and groups, were with us for over 70 different sessions, including workshops and inspiration spaces, self-organised sessions, connecting spaces, social events, and many more empowering and thoughtful moments.
Our theme this year was: ‘The Call to Courage’. In the current geopolitical landscape, in which LGBTI rights are more at risk, how can we stay ahead of the curve? To answer this question, our participants were called upon to courageously seek new strategies and work across differences. The result was one of our most vital and successful conferences yet, facilitating many courageous conversations and meaningful moments.
Latest news
ASYLUM
OII Europe highlights experiences of intersex asylum seekers
On this year’s Intersex Awareness Day, OII Europe shares the experiences of intersex refugees and asylum seekers and their families, and the very specific challenges they face.
EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
Safety and rights for lesbians in Europe
On 3 October, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a crucial resolution to combat violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual, and queer women across Europe.
FAMILY
Italy makes it illegal to seek surrogacy abroad
On 16 October, Italy’s Senate voted in favour of a legislation that would ban couples to go abroad to have surrogacy, imposing jail terms of up to two years and fines of up to one million euro.
HEALTH
Trans Health Map 2024 is out
TGEU — Trans Europe and Central Asia launched their 2024 edition of the Trans Health Map that represents the availability and accessibility of trans-specific healthcare in the 27 Member States of the European Union.
New Council of Europe report on healthcare for LGBTI people
Barriers in access to healthcare for LGBTI people are widespread. This report, published by the Council of Europe, goes into extensive detail on these barriers, and provides a collection of good and promising practices.
HOUSING
An event at the European Parliament will explore LGBTI homelessness
One in five LGBTI people experience homelessness during their lives. Join us for an event on November 21 in the European Parliament in Brussels to learn about why LGBTI people are at increased risk of housing difficulty and poverty, and what we can do to solve this at EU level. Hosted by ILGA-Europe, FEANTSA and Kim van Sparrentak MEP (Greens/EFA), this event will connect those working on housing, homelessness and human rights for a lively discussion of the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Register now if you will be in Brussels on 21 November.
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Realising protection for human rights defenders in Europe
As human rights defenders in the EU are increasingly targeted by various attacks, a coalition of civil society organisations drafted policy papers calling on the EU to adopt an effective protection ecosystem for human rights defenders in the EU.
Notice board
- Human Rights Watch is seeking a director of their LGBT Rights Program. Apply before 3 November.
- International Trans Fund is accepting applications for grants from trans-led organisations worldwide with annual budgets below $100,000. Apply before 2 December.
- GATE is offering financial assistance to trans and gender diverse-led organisations, to cover the fees associated with writing reports for submission to UN human rights mechanisms. Send your applications by 3 November.
- Astraea Foundation is hiring an Associate Director for the Intersex Human Rights Fund. Apply before 29 November.
- On 7 November, IGLYO will host a webinar on the reality of being an LGBTQI refugee or asylum seeker in Europe. Register now for the online event.
- Council of Europe launched a grant for NGOs to enhance the mutual engagement between the Council of Europe and civil society organisations. Apply before 1 December.
- Outright International opened the application process for their 2025 Advocacy Week – a week of high-level meetings and activities at the United Nations in New York. Apply by 18 November.
