Lithuanian Court declares anti-LGBTI law unconstitutional
In a significant decision on 18 December, Lithuania’s Constitutional Court ruled that a 15-year long ban on public depictions of LGBTI families should be repealed.
According to Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director at ILGA-Europe: “This landmark ruling marks a significant step towards ensuring that the rights of LGBTI people are respected in Lithuania. With this ruling, the anti-LGBTI provisions become ineffective and cannot be applied anymore. This is another confirmation from the highest courts that such laws are a violation of human rights and other courts should follow suit.”
New regulations pose greater risks to trans people in Turkey
On 20 November, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency announced a new regulation that requires an e-prescription to access certain hormones. The regulation will have severe negative consequences for the healthcare and mental health of trans people across Turkey.
ILGA-Europe News
New programme to foster social acceptance and inclusion
We’ve just launched The FutureLab – a transformative programme dedicated to advancing social acceptance and inclusion. Through significant funding, convenings, and learning opportunities, we will partner with 22 LGBTI organisations across Central Europe and the Western Balkans to create lasting change for our communities and societies.
Read more and apply by 3 February.
TikTok and the political earthquake in Romania
Amid viral anti-LGBTI TikTok videos and the bombshell rise of far-right Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, who previously said he wants to ‘ban homosexuality’, how did activists in Romania react to and read the situation? And what does the right-wing Romanian election debacle mean for elections everywhere?
We’re hiring an Advocacy Officer
Our new colleague will act as a thought-leader on strategic issues for the European LGBTI movement and actively contribute to our advocacy work aimed at bringing legal, political and social change for LGBTI people across Europe.
Read more and apply by 3 January.
We’re looking for a consultant to create a communications strategy
Are you ready to help shape the future of communication for one of the leading voices advocating for LGBTI rights in Europe and Central Asia?
Read more and apply by 25 January.
Latest news
BODILY INTEGRITY
Activists talk how to win the fight against conversion practices
At the ILGA-Europe offices we recently hosted a meeting with activists from different parts of Europe to discuss the way forward for working to end conversion practices. We sat down with some of them to discuss the complexities involved.
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Top European Court holds hearing on Polish refusal to recognise same-sex marriage certificate
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held a hearing in a case concerning the recognition by Polish authorities of a same-sex marriage certificate obtained in another EU Member State.
What would a positive outcome mean?.
HEALTH
Making a world where HIV is history
Although it seems a long way off, HIV activists believe that consigning HIV and AIDS to history is an achievable goal. On World AIDS Day, we explored how that goal might become a reality.
Take part of the survey on LGBTIQ and cancer
European Cancer Organisation launched its survey to measure the disparities affecting the European LGBTIQ community in cancer.
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Russia failed to respond adequately to politician’s homophobic verbal assault, European Court finds
The European Court of Human Rights has found that Russia’s failure to respond adequately to homophobic verbal assault and physical threats by a politician against LGBTI activists is in breach of their human rights.
Legal gender recognition
UK indefinitely bans the private prescription of puberty blockers for trans youth
In the UK, where no form of trans-specific healthcare is currently available for minors through the NHS and waiting lists have reached six years, the government’s decision to ban the private prescription of puberty blockers for trans youth constitutes a de facto ban on puberty blockers.
Read our statement about what this means.
‘Law on self-determination needs to be adopted in Montenegro’
ILGA-Europe, IGLYO and ERA joined our member organisation Spectra calling on the government in Montenegro for the adoption of the Law on Legal Recognition of Gender Identity Based on Self-Determination.
Notice board
- The European Union Agency for Asylum published its practical guide on applicants with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics. Download your own copy.
- The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI) is calling for input on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in relation to forced displacement. Share your input by 7 February.
- GATE is looking for a Movement Building Officer to coordinate their membership program and assist in their movement building initiatives. Read more and apply by 10 January.
- TGEU is looking for a full-time Policy and Advocacy Officer within their policy and programmatic work. Apply before 8 January.
- Protect Defenders is hiring a Head of Finance & Operations. Read more and apply before 6 January.
- The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Advisor on climate and economic justice advocacy. Read more and apply by 12 January.
- Mama Cash is hiring an Interim (co) Director of Partnerships & Communications. Apply before 12 January.
