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.

The following open letter has been jointly sent to the German government by ILGA-Europe, the European Network Against Racism, European Disability Forum and Age Platform Europe.

Dear Chancellor Scholz,

We are writing to you today as a coalition of European NGO networks working on equality and non-discrimination, representing thousands of organisations of LGBTI people, people with disabilities, racialised people, the young and older people. Together with many other human rights organisations we are very concerned  that while a large majority of EU Member States supported the efforts of the Belgian Presidency to finally ensure that the EU’s draft Equal Treatment Directive (2008/0140(CNS)) gets adopted after 14 years of stalling in the Council, it was yet again your government that blocked any progress by not lifting the general reservation.

Considering your strong commitment to advancing equal rights, as well as a clear passage in the coalition agreement that commits to supporting the broadening of anti-discrimination legislation on EU level to include LGBTI people (Überschrift Queeres Leben S.95 des Koalitionsvertrags: „Rechtsakte der EU, die gegen Diskriminierung aufgrund von Rassismus gelten, müssen künftig auch Homophobie und andere Diskriminierung umfasse“), the ongoing general reservation of your Government is cause for concern. Lifting your Government’s blockage would also be an important step to protect older persons from discrimination, another commitment made in the coalition agreement (Überschrift Senioren: “Wir werden ältere Menschen vor Diskriminierung und vor finanzieller Ausbeutung– insb. durch Vorsorgevollmachten – schützen“).

This directive, which represents one step towards more equality, has not reached agreement in the Council for 14 years now. One major blocking stone of any negotiation between Member States has been the general reservation of Germany. In 2024, people living in the EU, especially those at the intersections of inequalities are still not equally protected by law when they experience discrimination in all spheres of life because of their age, gender/sex, belief or religion, sexual orientation, disability, race or ethnic origin. For the moment, across the EU, there is a patchwork of unequal protection, with negative consequences for individuals, businesses and Member States themselves. At a time when acts of racism,  xenophobia, LGBTI-phobia and sexism are on the rise across the EU, this absence of legislative action towards more equality by EU Member States is highly problematic.

What is more, the results of the European elections on 9^th June 2024, have shown quite clearly that in many EU Member States the far-right is on the rise and upcoming national elections might further shift the majorities in the Council. Laws and policies are too often the last line of defence for minorities in our societies. In a social and political context which is increasingly polarised and makes them particularly vulnerable this is further exacerbated. However, there still is a window of opportunity now to finally adopt the Equal Treatment Directive which might close very soon if the governments of more Member States shift to the right.

Amid a surge in far-right political parties gaining seats in the new European Parliament, with gains also at national level expected, the new compositions of the European Parliament and Council will have serious consequences on EU decision making. This is a critical time for the EU and its Member States to fulfil their obligations to ensure that better protection against discrimination in all areas of live is put down in law on EU level, adding to the protection of EU fundamental rights.

For over a decade now, people across the EU hear again and again that Germany could not lift its general reservation due to disagreements in the government. Your Government has clearly committed to furthering equality and non-discrimination in Germany, at the EU level and the United Nations. After the elections in Poland, the Polish Government has changed its position on the directive, and made a very clear statement in the EPSCO on the 20 June that they want to adopt the directive as soon as possible, as did many other Member States. In the final weeks of the Belgian Presidency, the German Government has a unique opportunity to put the commitment of its coalition agreement finally into action.  

We therefore urge your Government to lift the general reservation as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

ILGA-Europe

European Network Against Racism

European Disability Forum Age Platform Europe

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.

As voters get ready to go to the polls in the European Elections, over a thousand candidates across Europe have pledged to protect and advance LGBTI human rights if they are elected

Download this press release in Finnish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

While authoritarian leaders across Europe continue to use the scapegoating of LGBTI people to divide and mobilise their electorates, the rising number of candidates singing up to the Come Out 4 Europe pledge proves that many have their sights set on voters who seek and support the protection and advancement of LGBTI human rights in the EU.

Now in their thousands, candidates in 27 countries have signed ILGA-Europe’s Come Out 4 Europe pledge, which asks them, if elected, to propose and advocate for EU policies and laws; actively engage on rule of law, democracy and inequality; make sure the EU uses all its powers to hold Member States accountable for violations of the human rights of LGBTI people, and act as a strong defender of LGBTI organisations and human rights defenders across Europe and beyond.

While larger countries like Germany and France lead in the numbers of signatories, following close behind are countries where LGBTI rights have not traditionally been high on the agenda, such as Italy with 110 candidates for 76 seats,  Greece (69 candidates for 21 seats), Lithuania (23 candidates for 11 seats, and Finland (78 for 15 seats).

The top four European parties with candidates who have committed to LGBTI human rights are, in ascending order, Renew; The Left; S&D; and Greens/EFA. 

For the full Come Out 4 Europe pledge, which also asks candidates how they intend to live up to their commitments click here.  

Quote from Chaber: “The sheer numbers of candidates signing up with very real commitments to protect the human rights of LGBTI people should they be elected, along with showing how they intend to live up to those promises, shows that many politicians are standing strong amidst growing attacks on LGBTI rights, and are willing to work with us, and other LGBTI organisations and activists to counter polarisation and the scapegoating of LGBTI people in political divides. Now, it is time to go out and use your vote for those politicians.”

The candidates in countries across the EU who have pledged to protect and advance LGBTI human rights if they are elected can be found at www.comeout.eu.

About Come Out 4 Europe:

The Come Out 4 Europe campaign seeks to mobilise votes for candidates in the European Elections 2024 who will support, protect and advance LGBTI rights as part of their mandate. It does this by directing voters to candidates who have signed a detailed pledge, which includes the ways in which they will live up to their commitments if elected. Come Out 4 Europe comes from ILGA-Europe, an independent, international non-governmental umbrella organisation uniting over 700 LGBTI organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia. ILGA-Europe works for a world in which each and every LGBTI person is free, equal and safe, through resourcing and connecting communities, driving political change, and amplifying voices. Find out more here.

The current numbers of candidates per country:

Austria – 30

Belgium – 32

Bulgaria – 8

Croatia – 7

Cyprus – 19

Czechia – 60

Denmark – 27

Estonia – 3

Finland – 78

France – 116

Germany – 88

Greece – 69

Hungary – 25

Ireland – 16

Italy – 110

Latvia – 5

Lithuania – 23

Luxembourg – 13

Malta – 23

Netherlands – 43

Poland – 3

Portugal – 44

Romania – 9

Slovakia – 15

Slovenia – 24

Spain – 60

Sweden – 57

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.

The Court of Justice of the European Union is to decide on lawsuit over the lack of provision of an option for non-binary persons, which may have a far-reaching effect

On Monday, April 29, the Court of Justice will be required to answer the question: Does GDPR and European non-discrimination law require organisations to provide an option for non-binary persons in their forms?

The hearing follows a lawsuit filed by the Mousse Association, representing 64 individuals, against France’s national state-owned railway company’s (SNCF) practice of forcing passengers to choose between the civil titles “Mr” or “Ms” when purchasing train tickets. If the association wins the case, private and public organisations in the 27 European Union States will have to either stop collecting gender markers when it is unnecessary or provide an option for non-binary persons in their forms.

This would be a significant step forward for the rights of non-binary persons, but also LGBTI people who do not identify within the gender binary.

The case relies on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), invoking the principles of data minimisation and accuracy and European non-discrimination law. It aims to set a significant precedent for the inclusion of all gender identities in the European Union, by requiring forms without any reference to gender markers or with inclusive options.

According Senior Strategic Litigation Officer with ILGA-Europe, Marie-Hélène Ludwig:  “The upcoming hearing is a crucial step to put an end to the misgendering and discrimination faced by non-binary persons who are forced to choose in their day-to-day lives between two options that do not correspond to their identity.”

According to Mr Étienne Deshoulières, the lawyer representing the Mousse Association: “This procedure is not only a fight against outdated forms, but a battle for the recognition and respect of each individual in their singularity. It defends the right of every person not to be trapped in the gender binary that does not correspond to their true identity. It is a question of respect for fundamental rights to self-determination, non-discrimination and the protection of personal data.”

ILGA-Europe, alongside Transgender Europe (TGEU), are providing support to the applicants and their lawyers in this case.

ILGA-Europe stands with Kazakhstan’s LGBTI Community amid Russia-style attempts to criminalise LGBTI people and their human rights

ILGA-Europe express solidarity with the LGBTI community in Kazakhstan as they face legislative proposals which will worsen the already exacerbated situation of the LGBTI community in the country. Two concerning anti-LGBTI legislative initiatives that were voiced last week by two separate groups of members of Kazakhstan’s Parliament threaten the fundamental rights and freedoms of LGBTI individuals in Kazakhstan.

The initiative by the Parliament members Aimagambetov and Ashimzhanov (both from Amanat Party) attempt to introduce a legal prohibition for mass media to write about “non-traditional sexual orientation”. In the same week, Parliament members Zhanbyrshin and Musabaev (also from Amanat party) introduced a draft amendment to include so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” in the “discord incitement” provision 174 of the Criminal Code and to prohibit peaceful assemblies on the same ground.

Such initiatives aim to divert attention from pressing issues like natural disasters that the entire northern and western Kazakhstan has been suffering for the past few weeks, with so many villages and towns affected, and over 100,000 people relocated, as well as the nation’s worsening socioeconomic situation and rising public call for the elimination of domestic violence. We call on the Kazakhstan Government to not arbitrarily target the LGBTI community and violating the principles of non-discrimination enshrined in the Constitution of Kazakhstan.

In the past couple of weeks, according to some media reports and from information spreading in messenger chats, the Law Enforcement of Astana have been illegally raiding nightclubs, specifically targeting LGBTI people. This is demonstrative of how such anti-LGBTI discourse and initiatives directly reflect on the safety of LGBTI people.

Kazakhstan’s current legislation does not protect LGBTI people from bias-motivated crimes, places discriminatory and humiliating barriers for legal gender recognition, bans same sex marriage and adoption by LGBTI persons, among many other pressing issues. The existing provisions restricting human rights of LGBTI people and any further attempts to do so contradict Kazakhstan’s international legal commitments, including the implementation of Recommendation No. 139.48 within the Kazakhstan’s previous reporting under Universal Periodic Review cycle, which calls for creating an enabling environment for LGBTI activist groups and human rights defenders.

We are also deeply concerned about the implications of amending Article 14 of the Law on Peaceful Assemblies, which would restrict the right to peaceful assembly for the LGBTI community and other civil society actors. This move further marginalises an already vulnerable community and threatens the democratic principles Kazakhstan aspires to uphold.

ILGA-Europe denounces any attempts to introduce discriminatory legislation that targets the LGBTI community. The LGBTI community in Kazakhstan deserves legal protection and recognition without discrimination.

We urge the Parliament to refrain from any future attempts of adopting anti-LGBTI legislation, and start to engage in meaningful dialogue with civil society and expert organisations to ensure the protection of LGBTI rights. We call on Kazakhstan to uphold its constitutional duty to protect the rights of all citizens, including on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

We call upon the International Partners of Kazakhstan to join us in reinforcing the dialogue on asking the Government of Kazakhstan to work towards improving the situation with human rights of LGBTI people.

ILGA-Europe stand in solidarity with the LGBTI community in Kazakhstan and reaffirm our commitment to supporting their struggle for equality, dignity, and respect. We encourage individuals and organisations to join us in speaking out against discrimination and advocating for the rights of all LGBTI individuals in Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND

On February 11, the Ministry of Information of Kazakhstan blocked the selftanu.kz website which aimed at raising awareness of LGBTI teenagers about their rights and providing them with information on healthcare and reproductive rights, among others. The Ministry justified its decision that the information on the website violates the norm of the legislation on preventing dissemination of information that would cause harm to the health and development of children.

On February 23, Kazakhstan’s President Tokaev signed the law preventing LGBTI people from mentoring orphans. When asked how the authorities would identify LGBTI identity of prospective mentors, the Vice-Minister of Education of Kazakhstan Natalia Zhumadildaeva stated that LGBTI people would be prevented from adopting and mentoring orphans according to these provisions. She claimed that the Ministry had developed a special psychological test for such purposes. Again these are non-scientific and inhumane approaches that contradict common sense and go against Kazakhstan’s national and international commitments to uphold human rights and non-discrimination.

On March 5 the authorities of the Almaty Mayor’s office responded to questions why it had prohibited the women’s inclusive rally dedicated to International Women’s Day marked on March 8. Almaty authorities recalled that over the past few years, representatives of feminist movements have already held authorised rallies on March 8. But officials were unhappy that during the protests the organisers and participants “repeatedly deviated from the stated topic.” They claimed that there had been numerous requests from different citizens not to allow the women’s rally, because reportedly “In appeals to them and in messages on social networks, the organisers of the rally, under the guise of the fight for women’s rights, actually promoted non-traditional values that were alien to Kazakh society such as same-sex relationships, marriages, LGBT symbols and others. And, in order to ensure the safety of participants in peaceful assemblies, in order to avoid violation of the rights of city residents and other persons, and to prevent violation of public safety by the Almaty authorities, a decision was made not to approve the rally of feminist organisations”.

On April 5, within the discussions of amendments to the Law on Mass Media, the first initiative was put forward by Parliament Members Askhat Aimagambetov and Zhanarbek Ashimzhanov (both from Amanat Party) to include provisions that would ban Mass Media from mentioning anything about LGBTI. This was followed by another more restrictive initiative on April 10 by Parliament Members Edil Zhambyrshin and Samat Musabaev (also from Amanat Party). In particular, they proposed an amendment to Article 174 of the Criminal Code (“Inciting social, national, tribal, racial, class or religious hatred”) to include criminal charges for those who break the law and publicly mention about LGBTI. Although, both provisions did not make it to the second reading of the bill and when it was passed to the upper Chamber of the Parliament. However, LGBTI activists fear these amendments may resurface as the initiators made it clear they would not withdraw their attempts to follow through.

For the past couple of weeks, according to media reports and information shared on messenger chats, law enforcement in Astana has been illegally raiding night clubs and specifically targeting LGBTI people under the false pretence of preventing illegal proliferation of drugs. Reportedly the police are also raiding private parties organised in apartments and houses, as well as nightclubs that are not specifically LGBTI-themed.

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

A case against Azerbaijan by a large group OF applicants who were arrested in a wave of anti-LGBTI police raids and forced to undergo medical examinations has been struck out by the European Court of Human Rights

Last week, the European Court of Human Rights decided to strike out A. v Azerbaijan and 23 other applications. The case involved a wave of police raids in Baku in September 2017 that led to the arrest, ill-treatment and forced medical examinations in detention of members of the LGBTI community.

In its decision, the Court considered that it was no longer justified to continue the examination of the applications given the Government’s unilateral declaration made in 2019, according to which it acknowledged that “there was a violation of the applicants’ rights guaranteed in the Convention” and offered to pay compensation to the applicants.

The applicants expressed deep dissatisfaction with this declaration, saying the Government’s acknowledgement lacks specificity regarding the nature and extent of the violations; the Government gave no undertaking for general measures to prevent future violations and there are no necessary provisions under domestic law for holding the perpetrators of those acts of violence accountable. This is particularly problematic as those groups kept being targeted subsequent to the 2017 arrests, in view of their perceived SOGIESC.

According to Leyla Osmanova, a victim of 2017 arrests, “The world saw it, the world knew about it. We were tortured, literally. Even a million dollars cannot cover the cost of psychological trauma, as I continue to live in fear. Although I am in a safe place now, that psychological trauma ruined my life. The court process took a long time, the decision is just a mere decision, the compensation is ridiculous.”

She added: “This event made me long for my native country. I have lost faith not in the country, but in the police and laws there.”

ILGA-Europe together with Civil Rights Defenders and REDRESS had submitted a third-party intervention in the case. Azerbaijan currently sits at the bottom of the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, which ranks all 49 European countries on a scale between 0% (gross violations of human rights, discrimination) and 100% (respect of human rights, full equality).

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

Over the past few years it has become increasingly clear that many government-led violations of LGBTI rights in EU Member States go hand-in-hand with an undermining of the rule of law and democracy. This includes in particular the degradation of the independence of judicial systems and the media landscape.

Particularly stark among this year’s submissions is the continual problem of non-implementation of European court judgments, especially around the right of LGBTI people to respect for their private and family life and the best interests of their children, as well as judgments related to legal gender recognition.

Efforts by authorities to restrict civic space; legal harassment, threats, hate speech and smear campaigns against LGBTI human rights defenders; and inadequate implementation of hate crime and anti-discrimination laws also remained prominent in 2023.

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.

Today, Russia’s Supreme Court banned what it called the “international LGBT public movement” as extremist. The LGBTI movement’s activities within Russia were said to “incite social and religious discord” in violation of the country’s anti-extremism laws.

This violently disproportionate decision, which has been classified as a state secret and is therefore not open to scrutiny, makes imprisonment a very real scenario for participating in activism, sharing information about LGBTI people’s human rights, or simply speaking up. It is an attempt to completely shut down any LGBTI organising and instil fear of prosecution and imprisonment among LGBTI people in general, as well as those who support them.

Adding ‘the international LGBT movement’ to a list of over 100 banned ‘extremist’ groups in Russia, it also extends beyond Russia’s borders, opening gates to prosecution of any entity or person at home or abroad involved in LGBTI activism as ‘extremist’.

ILGA-Europe condemns this abhorrent attack on LGBTI people and human rights groups in Russia. This ban is unprecedented in our region and outlaws organisations and individuals who have been withstanding harsh state-led attacks since 2013, both those targeting the rights of LGBTI people and those targeting independent civil society and media.

We stand in solidarity with LGBTI activists in Russia, who have remained resilient and determined in the face of repeated and escalating attacks on their work, lives and freedom. ILGA-Europe has been working to directly support and empower the LGBTI movement in Russia through providing resources, learning, networking and convening opportunities, as well as mobilisation of solidarity networks, for more than 15 years. We are committed to continue doing so while learning about what is needed as the situation evolves.

In our consultations and meetings, Russian activists are saying loud and clear that action is needed now more than words. While organisations will feel the need to comment on today’s decision, we ask those who hold resources to do more than simply condemn. We urge them to recommit to staunchly supporting LGBTI organising in Russia through funding, security assistance, logistical and diplomatic support to relocations of those at risk, and other forms. In doing so, it is paramount to centre the strategies, guidance, knowledge and experience of LGBTI activists and groups that operate in the country and directly engage LGBTI communities in their work.

Today, alongside five other international human rights organisations, we demand that the EU takes specific steps to ensure respect for the human rights of LGBTI people in Turkey in future EU-Turkey relations.

The LGBTI+ community in Türkiye is increasingly the target of discrimination, intimidation and violence, said the European Commission in its 2023 Enlargement Package published last week. It also points out that the activities of LGBTI+ organisations continue to be unduly restricted, LGBTI+ people and human rights defenders continue to be targeted with legal sanctions for participating in Pride events, and LGBTI+ people continue to face hate speech, stigmatisation, and smear campaigns.

According to our assessment and that of LGBTI+ human rights defenders these trends will intensify in the coming months.

After the May 2023 elections, Türkiye has explicitly expressed its desire for the EU to revive its accession process. Beyond the enlargement framework, EU leaders are considering options for engaging with Türkiye in areas of mutual interest, with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission preparing a report on the future of EU-Türkiye relations ahead of the 14-15 December European Council. Indeed, in recent weeks, EU officials have also signalled an intention  to intensify dialogue and cooperation with Türkiye, including on issues such as visa facilitation, trade and investment, and migration.  

In light of these developments, we remind the EU and Türkiye that respect for rule of law and human rights must remain at the core of EU-Türkiye relations, regardless of the framework in which they develop. The EU’s accession process is anchored in the respect for fundamental rights, including those of LGBTI+ people, and such respect remains a cornerstone in all areas of the EU’s external action. We therefore call on the EU institutions to ensure that all discussions on EU-Türkiye relations – including the upcoming report due to be presented at the December European Council – take into account the human rights concerns we have outlined below, and that all steps toward engaging with Türkiye are used to promote tangible human rights improvements in the country. 

Hate speech against LGBTI+ people

Discrimination and hate speech which constitute incitement to hostility or violence against LGBTI+ people in Türkiye continued throughout 2023, often by high-level government officials, including the President. The run-up to the elections was marred by a high volume of anti-LGBTI+ statements from politicians, and smear campaigns against LGBTI+ people led by the ruling party. Since the election, pro-government media outlets have continued this alarming pattern of stigmatisation and discrimination.

In both September 2022 and 2023, the “Great Family Platform” organised anti-LGBTI+ marches in which some participants called for the banning of LGBTI+ organisations and events, and which led to commentaries justifying a call for the death penalty against LGBTI+ people. The promotional videos for the marches, in which LGBTI+ people were stigmatised, were approved by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) as public service advertisements. In 2022, the advertisement presented LGBTI+ people as a “virus,” and in 2023, the advertisement targeted so-called “LGBT propaganda.”

Türkiye is a party to many international treaties that prohibit discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Among those most relevant to the violations described are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The Turkish government has an obligation to protect everyone from discrimination, and should not be part of or show complacency towards any statements that could encourage discrimination and target a marginalized group, including LGBTI+ people.

We call on the EU to condemn discriminatory speech against LGBTI+ people and human rights defenders and to persist in urging Türkiye’s government and all its representatives to abstain from making statements that stigmatise and discriminate against LGBTI+ people, as such remarks put them at risk of harassment and violence. The EU should call for a prompt, impartial, thorough and effective investigation into any attacks and other forms of harassment against LGBTI+ people and for perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Freedom of peaceful assembly, in particular Pride events

This year’s Pride season in Türkiye began shortly after the legislative and presidential election, and spanned a number of weeks. A record number of Pride events were planned, despite blanket bans and the threat of police violence and detention of LGBTI+ human rights defenders.

LGBTI+ human rights defenders courageously defied political pressure and bans in order to claim their right to freedom of assembly and expression, but once again faced a number of fundamental rights violations. Across the country, LGBTI+ people and their allies were denied the right to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The police used unnecessary and excessive force against protestors, and arbitrarily detained people participating in the events as well as bystanders.

Police intervened in at least 10 LGBTI+ rights related events and pride marches, detaining at least 224 people, including lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, and foreign nationals. An opposition MP was also targeted and threatened with detention. At least 5 foreign nationals, including an Iranian LGBTI+ activist with international protection status, were held in removal centres for up to one month, facing deportation. The excessive use of force deployed during the police interventions violates the right to peaceful assembly, which is protected under domestic law and international treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights.

In 2023, despite the continued anti-LGBTI+ rhetoric, bans and attacks on Pride marches, LGBTI+ human rights defenders continued their resistance with numerous successes, as many Pride events were organised, which once again underscores the strength and resilience of the LGBTI+ movement and people’s commitment to upholding fundamental rights and the rule of law in Türkiye.

However, 2023 was the ninth consecutive year since 2015 that LGBTI+ people have been subjected to blanket bans and restrictions on Pride events.

We call on the EU to demand Türkiye ends all arbitrary and disproportionate restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly, including the use of blanket bans, and protects participants of pride marches and other LGBTI+ events from any potential violence, as stipulated in Türkiye’s national legislation and international legal commitments.

New draft constitution

Earlier in 2023, the government proposed amendments to the Turkish Constitution on Article 41 on “protection of the family and the rights of the child.” The proposed amendment aimed to add to Article 41 that a “union of marriage can only be established between a woman and a man.” This definition of marriage explicitly discriminates against LGBTI+ people. Activists advocating for LGBTI+ rights are also concerned that such discriminatory amendments may pave the way for criminalising same-sex relationships and prohibiting LGBTI+ organisations from operating in the country.

We urge the EU to exert pressure on Türkiye to ensure that any revision of its Constitution includes a strong commitment to upholding the right to non-discrimination, in accordance with the various international treaties to which Türkiye is a party.

An LGBTI poster vandalised just a few days before the EuroPride in Valletta and an LGBTIphobic attack during Gozo Pride are strong reminders that despite strong legal protections, LGBTI people do not always enjoy full inclusion and safety in Malta. 

Shortly before the official opening ceremony of EuroPride, hosted this year by the Maltese city of Valletta, a poster advertising one of the events was vandalised in broad daylight in Castille Square. A few days into the celebrations, in the hours after the second annual Gozo Pride parade, a group of queer people faced verbal harassment on their way to a local bar. The situation escalated and one of the people in the group was physically assaulted. The attack was condemned by a number of ministers.  

These are not the types of events that you would typically associate with Malta, an EU country renowned for its strong legal protections for LGBTI people. Thanks to the unwavering efforts of local activists and decision-makers committed to safeguarding the rights of LGBTI people, Malta has topped ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map for eight consecutive years. With an exemplary legal framework, ranging from marriage equality to legal gender recognition, and some pioneering measures, Malta stands as a trailblazer and a source of inspiration for its neighbours.

Nevertheless, despite this great work, true equality for LGBTI people has not yet been achieved. These recent events are a reminder that to bridge the gap between law and life, everyone must be part of the journey.

Our Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel, is in Malta to participate in EuroPride. “Despite the country’s robust legal framework, the reality is that discrimination persists,” she says. “While legal protections are a vital ground for equality, they alone cannot ensure that LGBTI people are safe and fully included. Society, with all its complexities, must be brought along, especially in the face of rising anti-human rights forces in the country.”

While Malta has held the number one spot on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map, benchmarking legal frameworks and protections for LGBTI people in European countries, gaps remain in Maltese legislation. The Maltese government is yet to put forward legislation that ensures full protection against discrimination outside employment against, amongst other grounds, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

According to Hugendubel: “It is equally relevant to look at the larger picture and remember that championing the rights of LGBTI people means to advocate for human rights in their entirety. This includes the human rights of migrants and reflecting on sexual and reproductive rights, including the rights to abortion. Moreover, Malta’s leadership in this regard, extends beyond the island, serving as an example for other countries.

“In meetings this week, commitments to present a proposal for the Equality Act were renewed, and Malta has done an extraordinary job in protecting LGBTI people. However, the true test is not just arriving at the top but sustaining this leadership, and translating the legal framework into the day to day life of everyone. Malta must stay vigilant in its commitments to ensure the protection of LGBTI people within its borders, but also as a guiding light for all EU countries and beyond.”

You can learn more about Malta in our Annual Review and Rainbow Map.

Two successful European Court cases brought against Russia underline state obligations to protect LGBTI community from violent counter demonstrators and general hate motivated violence.

ILGA-Europe welcome yesterday’s judgments from the European Court of Human Rights in Romanov and Others v Russia and Lapunov v Russia. Romanov and Others v Russia concerned Russia’s failure to prevent and protect LGBTI community members from homophobic violence during peaceful demonstrations and ensure effective investigation. The applicant in Lapunov v Russia was one of the victims of the “anti-gay purges” that took place in Chechnya in 2016-2017, having been detained and tortured in March 2017.

According to ILGA-Europe’s Head of Litigation, Arpi Avetisyan, “These cases are of great significance for the recognition of the rights of LGBTI people that have suffered by inaction or actual infliction of violence by state agents.

“Importantly, the Court observed that even when investigations were initiated, the homophobic nature of the attacks was rejected by the authorities, therefore could not be considered as effective.”

The Court found that physical and phycological treatment suffered by Mr Lapunov in Chechnya amounted to discriminatory torture under the European Convention of Human Rights. Furthermore, the authorities failed to carry out effective and meaningful investigation to uncover violence based on sexual orientation, despite all the evidence provided.

Russian LGBTI organisations, who worked to support both cases before the Court, note that although Russia has left the Council of Europe and is not party to the European Convention since March 2016, it is unlikely to implement these judgments. They are however symbolically important for persecuted people in Russia, as they give hope and a sense of support from the international community. It is crucial that state-sponsored homophobia does not go unnoticed. 

Avetisyan concluded: “These cases are another affirmation by the Court on Council of Europe member state obligations to protect LGBTI community from violent counter demonstrators and general hate motivated violence, and to ensure timely and effective investigations in such cases.”

ILGA-Europe expresses solidarity and stands with LGBTI organisations and communities in Kyrgyzstan as the country’s President signed into law a discriminatory provision banning dissemination of information about LGBTI people, rights, and identities among minors.

We firmly assert that this specific provision in the new legislation does not protect anybody; instead, it deprives LGBTI children from access to services and support that they need to thrive and puts them at risk of harassment, violence and a generally hostile environment. The damaging effects of similar Russian legislation on the lives of children, as well as on the lived realities of LGBTI people in general, are well-documented.

Information about LGBTI people and identities is listed in the new law on a par with violent or pornographic content, and the adoption and discussion of this law unfolded in parallel with smear campaigns against LGBTI organisations, activists, and communities in Kyrgyzstan. This confirms that the new law is a deliberate attempt to stigmatise LGBTI people and to fuse LGBTI people and identities with abuse of children and exposing children to harm.

Finally, just like previously in Russia, Poland and Hungary, this legislation comes along with other anti-democratic developments, such as the draft law on media and the attempts to outlaw foreign funding, and is a precursor of other attempts to limit the space of independent civil society and media. It sounds an alarm for the entire civil society in Kyrgyzstan and its partner and ally organisations and demands a united front across different parts of the country’s civil society as well as international supporters, funders, and allies.

Together with our members and partners, ILGA-Europe will continue to advocate for the rights of LGBTI people in Kyrgyzstan and will be rallying support and solidarity for LGBTI organisations and their allies in the country.

Now that LGBTI organisations in Kyrgyzstan need to take their time to assess the situation and plan ahead, we encourage all supporters and allies to not rush to action but follow the lead of the LGBTI organisations in the country. It is also a moment for all of us to consider where our positions and resources could be most helpful, immediately and in the long term. Be it documenting the effects of the law on the rights and freedoms of LGBTI people and their allies, advocating for its repeal, offering security support, building solidarity across the civil society, or otherwise supporting different communities to counter the gaps and risks created by this law.

Background

On 15 August, Kyrgyzstan enacted a new law that aims to restrict freedom of expression and access to information about LGBTI people, identities, rights, and lives.

Formally, the law seeks to ban dissemination of harmful information among minors, while labelling as harmful also information that “denounces family and traditional societal values, promotes non-traditional sexual relations and initiates disrespect towards parents or other family members.” This language echoes the ‘anti-propaganda’ laws that are in place in Russia and Hungary.

The law comes into force on 30 August, 15 days after its publication.

The official title of the law is “On introducing amendments to several legal acts of the Kyrgyz Republic”, and it amends the Code of Misdemeanors, the law “On measures to prevent harm to children’s health, physical, intellectual, mental, spiritual and moral development in the Kyrgyz Republic”, and the law “On Mass Media”.

Dissemination of “harmful information” will lead to fines of up to 5,000 soms (around 52 euro) for individuals, and up to 25,000 soms (around 260 euro) for legal entities.

This has been the third attempt to adopt a so-called ‘anti-propaganda’ law in Kyrgyzstan. The first two attempts in 2014 and 2015 did not succeed in writing discrimination against LGBTI people into law.

Attempts to target LGBTI people and the civil society in general are seen by activists in the country as attempts to distract public attention from major issues in Kyrgyzstan such as increasing electricity prices, shortage of irrigational water supplies due to drought across the country, and many other socio-economic problems that the Government of Kyrgyzstan has been struggling to address.

After the detention of 241 individuals at 11 Pride events this summer, the Turkish government must understand that respecting the rule of law and fundamental rights, including those of LGBTI people, is a precondition for becoming an EU member state.

EU accession has once again taken centre stage on Turkey’s political agenda. Since his re-election in May 2023, President Erdoğan has reignited EU accession conversations, stagnant for several years. However, amid this renewed pursuit, the attacks on Pride events and potential regressive changes to the constitution underscore the precarious state of human rights in Turkey. Upholding the fundamental rights of all, including LGBTI people, and ensuring the rule of law remain the cornerstones of the EU. Any future discussions regarding closer ties with the EU must hinge on Turkey’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding these principles.

Erdoğan’s crackdown on Pride

Following the presidential election, marred by a high volume of anti-LGBTI statements, the Pride season in Turkey bore witness to both immense courage and hatered stoked by the state. A record number of Pride events were planned this year, and while some took place without obstruction, many encountered police repression and bans.

Authorities violently interrupted 11 LGBTI-themed events and Pride marches, leading to the detention of 241 people, including four children, seven lawyers, five foreigners, journalists, and activists. Particularly shocking was the case of Iranian LGBTI+ activist Elyas Torabibaeskendari, held in a detention centre despite his international protection status and at risk of deportation to his home country, where he could face a death sentence.

Portuguese national Miguel Alvaro, who was on holiday in Turkey during the event, alleges that he was assaulted by police officers due to his assumed appearance as gay, leading to his 20-day detention without explanation. Protestors also reported incidents of reverse handcuffing, manhandling, and prolonged confinement in vehicles without proper ventilation.

According to human rights activists, the use of torture and ill-treatment by the police was more widespread compared to previous years. It is crucial to remember that the excessive use of force by the police violates the right to peaceful assembly, protected under both domestic law and international treaties, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory. Despite the pressure, LGBTI activists displayed resilience, with many Pride events going ahead peacefully, exemplifying the strength and determination of the LGBTI movement in Turkey.

Constitutional amendments: A stride backwards in LGBTI equality

Earlier this year, the Turkish Parliament expanded the threat to LGBTI citizen’s rights. Among various draft amendments to the Constitution, one stood out as direct discrimination against LGBTI people. Under the guise of protecting the institution of the family “against the impositions of pervert movements,” the legislature sought to redefine marriage as “the union of a man and a woman,” essentially eliminating the possibility of introducing same-sex marriage in the country. While the proposal was eventually withdrawn in the aftermath of Turkey’s devastating earthquake and later elections, this amendment, incompatible with the principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, is anticipated to re-emerge in the upcoming legislative term.

LGBTI people’s rights are at the core of the EU

Amidst the curtailment of LGBTI freedoms and deeply concerning legislative proposals, the journey to Turkey’s EU accession demands a resolute commitment from all sides to protect the fundamental rights of LGBTI people. LGBTI people’s rights are not negotiable and Turkey’s road to becoming a member of the EU must be based on the Union’s founding values.