ILGA-Europe
	We have three great new positions Did you know that ILGA-Europe is currently recruiting three new people to join our passionate, dedicated team working hard in Brussels to advance safety, equality and freedom for LGBTI people across Europe and Central Asia? We’re looking for a Senior Grants and Finance Officer, a Senior Advocacy Officer, and a Senior Programmes Officer. Read more and apply for the positions.
	New report on the experiences of LGBTI people with disabilities In the ninth of our series of Intersections reports, deep-diving into the data from the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) 2019 LGBTI Survey II, we have collaborated with the European Disability Forum, focusing on experiences of LGBTI persons with disabilities in Europe. Disaggregated data, which can look deeply into the lived experiences of marginalised people, is a key demand of LGBTI and other human rights groups. With this in mind, over the last year ILGA-Europe partnered with a variety of NGOs to analyse the FRA 2019 LGBTI Survey II data and pull out experiences of those experiencing intersectional marginalisation. Read our report on disabled LGBTI people. Read more and download the Intersections report.
	5 things the LGBTI movement must do to continue achieving real change This year marked the end of Evelyne Paradis’ tenure as Executive Director of ILGA-Europe. In a new series of videos, 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. Watch the series of videos. To the top
Bodily integrity
	Norway approves the ban on conversion practices On 12 and 15 December, the parliament in Norway held two hearings about the bill that plans to ban conversion practices. The parliament approved the ban with a majority vote. The bill suggests an absolute ban on the harmful practice regarding sexual orientation and gender identity both exercised in Norway and abroad, and also sanctions advertisements. It envisions special protections for minors. (Photo: FRI) Read more. Read the law text. To the top
EU enlargement
	Giving hope comes with responsibility to us, say activists from new EU enlargement countries On 7 December, LGBTI activists from new EU enlargement countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia gathered in Brussels to call on EU representatives to live up to the promise that comes with the accession process. Recommendations from the EU regarding the human rights of LGBTI people are key tools supporting LGBTI organisations to engage with their governments and hold them accountable to the commitments made. Read more on our press release. To the top
Equality and non-discrimination
	ILGA World releases a new global report on legal protection for intersex people On 12 December, ILGA World released the first edition of its Intersex Legal Mapping Report, a global survey on legal protections for people born with variations in sex characteristics. A large majority of UN member States have yet to make any sufficient legal attempt to protect intersex people’s right to bodily integrity and autonomy. Still, a trend of positive developments is emerging, ILGA World said. Read more and download your own copy of the report.
	Attacks on LGBTI rights in Italy are human rights violations, Commissioner reports On 14 December, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, released her country report on Italy, clearly naming 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. Read more. To the top
Family
	Poland must ensure that same-sex couples are legally recognised, European Court rules On 12 December, the European Court of Human Rights issued a judgement against Poland in a case taken by five same-sex couples in the country, seeking to have their relationships legally protected. Same-sex partners are unable to regulate fundamental aspects of their life together, such as those concerning property, maintenance, taxation, and inheritance. Also, in the majority of situations, their relationship holds no weight in dealings with the judicial or administrative authorities. (Photo: Tomek Kaczor) Read more about the judgement.
	European Parliament adopts a report on parenthood recognition across the EU On 14 December, the European Parliament adopted a report on the recognition of parenthood across the EU, which stipulates that when a child’s parental ties are established in one Member State, they should be recognised across the Union, taking the best interest of the child as its core premise. The report supports the European Commission’s draft regulation on this matter, which would apply to all types of families and ensure that a child does not ‘lose’ its parents when crossing from one EU Member State to another. Read more. To the top
Hate speech
	European Commission launch call to action against all forms of hatred On 6 December, the European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Communication on “No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred”, acknowledging the escalating tide of hatred against some groups in the EU. The Commission will upgrade The Coordinators on these subjects to envoys. ILGA-Europe welcomed this decision with the note that they are “looking forward to forthcoming LGBTI strategy and designation of an envoy to counter anti-LGBTI hatred with the new strategy”. Read more.
	Council of Europe calls for participation in the study on hate speech The Council of Europe invites civil society organisations to take part in the impact study and gain valuable insights in their work on counter-narratives to hate speech. Organisations with experience in consistent use of human rights-based counter and alternative narratives in their work are encouraged to apply. The call is open for CSOs based and operating in any of the 27 EU member states or working on European level. Read more and apply before 7 January. To the top
Notice board
	The Williams Institute launched a new call for research proposals The Williams Institute announced their new call for research proposals for fostering impactful research within the LGBTQI+ community through their Global LGBTQI+ Seed Grants Program and the Global LGBTIQ+ Aging Seed Grants Program (with SAGE). They invite applications from researchers, academics, and civil society organisations passionate about advancing knowledge and strengthening data collection on LGBTQI+ populations within least developed, low-, and middle-income countries. The deadline for applications is 31 January. Read more and apply for the Global LGBTQI+ Seed Grants. Read more and apply for the Global LGBTIQ+ Aging Seed Grants.
	ECOM is looking for a Program Manager and a Human Rights Coordinator ECOM — Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity has several open vacancies, including for a Program Manager and a Human Rights Coordinator. The Program Manager will be responsible for the effective implementation of ECOM’s ongoing programs, including the planning and control of program activities. The Human Rights Coordinator will be responsible for ECOM’s work to create an enabling legal environment to strengthen the response to HIV among LGBT people. Both of the positions require English and Russian languages. Read more and send your application by 7 January.
	OII Europe’s new guideline for making LGBTQ(I) organisations intersex inclusive OII Europe published a new flyer that provides some guidelines to help LGBTQ(I) organisations start the process of including the topic of intersex rights in their work. The guideline has information and guidance about creating contacts with intersex communities and activists, supporting the intersex communities and how to actively include them in the work of the organisations, among other subjects. Read more and download your own copy of the flyer.
	Abstract submissions are open for the International AIDS Conference The International AIDS Society (AIS) has opened abstract submissions for the AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, which will take place in Munich, Germany, and virtually from 22 to 26 July 2024. They accept the submission of abstracts for original contributions to the fields under several scientific tracks. Read more and send your submission by 24 January.