Rainbow Digest September 2024
Georgia, Bulgaria and a sharp rise in the politicisation of LGBTI lives
Draconian anti-LGBTI legislative package in Georgia will have far-reaching negative impacts
On 17 September, the Georgian Parliament passed a legislative package, which aims to ban information about LGBTI people in various public spheres and directly curtails the rights and freedoms of LGBTI people in Georgia, impacting the population of Georgia as well as foreign residents.
With Parliamentary elections in Georgia scheduled for 26 October, in which the Georgian Dream party is seeking another term in office, the fast-tracked adoption of this law and heightened political hate speech targeting LGBTI people is a clear example of instrumentalising LGBTI lives for electoral gain.
The law will in practice make it impossible for Georgian LGBTI people to have their partnerships recognised, to adopt, or for their children to be protected by law. Trans people, and some intersex people, will have their rights and quality of life greatly reduced due to the ban on legal gender recognition and on any kind of trans-specific medical interventions.
We stand in solidarity with Georgian civil society, which has faced increasing threats and violence under a government that is drawing from the Russian playbook of authoritarianism. We call on the President of Georgia not to sign the legislative package into law, and on all our international allies to support this call.
Bulgarian Parliament rejects the second anti-LGBTI law
On 26 September, the Bulgarian Parliament did not pass the second anti-LGBTI law which would ban advertisement of trans-specific healthcare for minors. The rejection follows Bulgarian LGBTI activists’ intensive advocacy and campaigning efforts since the anti-LGBTI propaganda law that passed on 7 August, in a fast-tracked process leading up to elections this month.
ILGA-Europe news
Annual Conference is taking place in Bucharest from 16-19 October
We look forward to being with over 400 activists at our conference, hosted by local organisations Accept and Mozaiq. It promises to be a pivotal moment for the LGBTI movement in Europe and Central Asia, as we come together in a vibrant, engaged and courageous space to connect, learn from each other, have great fun, and re-energise for the work ahead.
Join our meeting on ending conversion practices
We’re inviting LGBTI activists from Europe to apply for our one-day meeting on 6 December to talk about strategies, challenges, and lessons learned regarding banning conversion practices.
Read more and apply before 6 October.
New report presents a complex picture of progress in EuropeÂ
ILGA-Europe, in collaboration with IGLYO, have released a report reviewing how Council of Europe countries are protecting the rights of LGBTI people. While some countries have advanced, many have stagnated or fallen back.
Creative ways allies supported us in Pride 2024
As Pride season 2024 comes to a close, we highlight some of the most innovative and impactful initiatives by our allies that have stepped up to support the LGBTI community. Find out more.
Latest news
EDUCATION
‘Trans children and young people in schools deserve safety and understanding’
IGLYO issued a statement on the UK Statutory Guidance for Schools & Colleges and their failure to include trans and non-binary students in an affirming, supportive way.
EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATIONÂ
New designated-Commissioners announced for the European Commission
The President of the European Commission announced the EU’s renewed commitment to an LGBTIQ Equality Strategy for post-2025. Belgian Hadja Lahbib was announced as the Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management and Equality, while Ireland’s Michael McGrath is the Commissioner-designate for Justice and Rule of Law.
FAMILY
European Court delivers judgement on Poland’s failure to protect same-sex couples married abroad
The European Court of Human Rights has found that Poland breached the right to respect for the family life of two same-sex Polish couples married abroad by failing to recognise their relationships.
Read more.
Denmark extends legal protection for rainbow families
As of 15 September, the amendments to the Children’s Act in Denmark came into effect, fully recognising children born in rainbow families with home-insemination and trans parenthood.
LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION
EU Court of Justice Advocate General calls on Hungary to correct trans refugee’s gender marker
The opinion specifically relates to the case of a trans refugee in Hungary who has been denied legal gender recognition in the asylum register since 2021. The case raises crucial questions for the CJEU: whether the GDPR mandates the rectification of the gender marker on national registries upon request, and if so, does this request require evidence?
Movement highlight
25 years of bi+ visibility and the rise of the Bi+ Equal umbrella
Meet Bi+ Equal, an emerging bi+ umbrella organisation working to reshape how bi+ people and bi+ equality are understood and supported across Europe. Bi+ Equal is an initiative created by and for bi+ people, aiming to fill the gaps in representation and advocacy that have often left bi+ voices unheard in broader LGBTI spaces.
Read our interview with the founders of B+ Equal.
Notice board
- National Democratic Institute (NDI)’s Equal Rights in Action Fund is open for applications. If your organisation is interested, you should reach out to embassies of countries that participate in the Global Equality Fund (including US embassies) to express your interest in a nomination. Read more and apply by 4 October.
- Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini with Oxfam Italia and Oxfam Italia Intercultura are launching a funding opportunity for LGBTQIA+ organisations working on national and international legislation on gender-based violence and related procedures in the European Union. Read more and join the info session on 11 November.
- GILEAD is looking for research proposals to end the HIV epidemic for Europe. Read more and apply by 15 October.
- IGLYO is looking for a Projects & Events Officer to join their team in Brussels. Read more and apply by 13 October.
- Aleanca LGBTI+, one of the LGBTI NGOs in Albania, is currently looking for an expert on strategic communication to counter disinformation campaigns by the anti-gender movement. Read more and apply by 5 October.
