For the four days of our Annual Conference in Ljubljana this year, our roving photographers were there to capture every minute. Here are the highlights!

In October we gathered together with 450 activists from across Central in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana for the ILGA-Europe for the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference. And what an experience it turned out to be! Four inspirational days of connecting, sharing, thinking, talking, listening, learning, re-energising and building strength for the work to come. There was lots of laughter too, rooted in the sheer, queer joy of being together in such a special and mutually supportive space. And, of course, there was our traditional karaoke, with a host of unforgettable performances! Here we share a visual snapshot of the conference with selected images from our wonderful photographers, Domen and Nada. Thanks again to our host organisations in Ljubljana, Legebitra, Ljubljana Pride, ŠKUC, and TransAkcija!

Intersex people’s rights, legal gender recognition without abusive requirements, the exploration of non-binary markers and bans on conversion practices are at the centre of the first-ever general policy recommendation focusing on LGBTI people’s rights to come from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, which is part of the Council of Europe. Keep reading to discover how this will help protect and improve the lives of LGBTI people, and how queer activists can use it in their work.

Last week, the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released the first-ever general policy recommendation focusing on LGBTI people’s rights.

Not to be confused with the European Union, the Council of Europe brings even more European countries (46) together. While not being able to adopt any binding legislation for its member states, the Council of Europe has different tools at its disposal to ensure the full protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

One tool are the ECRI General Policy Recommendations (GPR), which carry immense weight in protecting human rights, for example, they are frequently cited by the European Court of Human Rights in its decisions.

The new recommendation GPR No. 17 is the first ever to specifically address the human rights of LGBTI people and will provide an important reference point for its member states and for the Council of Europe institutions. For example example, when designing a new policy or a national strategy, policy-makers in member states will be able to rely on it to ensure that future rules protect and improve the lives of LGBTI people.

What improvements does this recommendation bring compared to previous measures?

This recommendation represents a significant modernisation of the Council of Europe’s toolbox for protecting the rights of LGBTI individuals. Prior to this, the most similar LGBTI-focused instrument is a Committee of Ministers Recommendation from 2010 . However, since then, countries in the region have made a great deal of progress to both clarify how the human rights framework applies to LGBTI people and to enact laws which serve to protect them. Notable differences in this new recommendation compared to other Council of Europe instruments include:

• Protection of intersex people: GPR No. 17 is the first Council of Europe document of its kind which describes how countries should protect intersex individuals and implement the protection ground of sex characteristics. It includes a ban on intersex genital mutilation (IGM), ensuring that medical interventions are not justified by social attitudes, ensuring support to intersex people who have undergone non-consensual interventions, and considering compensation to those who were previously subjected to these interventions.

• Expanded coverage: Unlike the 2010 recommendation, GPR No. 17 also covers individuals who are perceived to be LGBTI and those targeted due to their association with LGBTI people. Grounds coverage includes perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (SOGISC), but not gender expression.

• Building trust with LGBTI communities: Council of Europe Member States are encouraged to implement trust-building activities with LGBTI communities regarding the reporting and adjudication of anti-LGBTI hate crimes and hate speech.

• Online hate speech: GPR No. 17 encourages treating online hate speech as equivalent to offline hate speech, applying the same laws.

• Assisted reproductive technologies: Recommendations regarding non-discriminatory access to assisted reproductive technologies have been expanded so that member States are encouraged to ensure that there are no policies around these technologies that discriminate on the grounds of SOGISC.

• Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): GPR No. 17 includes a specific reference to CSE, along with the requirement that it must be evidence-based, reflecting a stronger emphasis on this important aspect.

• Intersectionality: Much more attention is paid to intersectionality, acknowledging the complex and multifaceted nature of discrimination.

• Media: The development of a code of conduct in the media sphere and training for media professionals is recommended.

• Some advancement on Legal Gender Recognition (LGR): GPR No. 17 suggests lower or no age limits for LGR, compensation for those subjected to sterilisation requirements, consideration of non-binary gender markers, and creating a clear pathway for non-nationals to access LGR.

• Ban on ‘conversion practices’ for children and adults, including through advertising and promotion, as well as bans in professional codes of practice.

• Cross-border recognition for rainbow families: The recommendation promotes cross-border family recognition for rainbow families, ensuring that families are protected beyond national borders.

The release of GPR No. 17 marks a significant milestone in the Council of Europe’s efforts to protect the rights of LGBTI people. Placing a strong focus on the protection of intersex people, legal gender recognition without abusive requirements, the exploration of non-binary markers, the ban of ‘conversion practices’, and more, this landmark recommendation offers clear and useful guidance for policy-makers at the national level, helping them in making more fair societies for all. 

How can activists use this new ECRI recommendation?

GPR No. 17 is valuable for advocacy in that it provides detailed explanations of specific recommendations to Council of Europe countries based on existing Council of Europe standards.

Activists can use the recommendation to support governments as they develop and deliberate new laws and update older laws. It also gives a very clear guide for what the monitoring reviews which ECRI conducts in the Council of Europe will be looking for.

Activists can specifically prepare inputs on the points in GPR No. 17 for both submissions to ECRI in advance of their visits and to prepare for meetings during country visits. ECRI will also use the GPR to formulate the questions they will ask governments during those visits.

As we get ready for our Annual Conference in October, we’re excited to share the collaborative design process for our Ljubljana 2023 visual identity.

Every year ILGA-Europe bring our Annual Conference to a different city in Europe, and every year we create a new logo to single it out as an important event in its own right, rather than simply another annual gathering of activists. And every year, we begin the work by consulting with our member organisations on what the elements might be that express the identities of the countries and cities our Conference is being held in. We ask them too to recommend designers in the hope that we can source local talent.

Developing the concept

This year we worked with Studio 360, an amazing creative agency in Ljubljana. We asked for a logo that combined a symbol of the city or of Slovenia, which reflected both the strength of our movement and our title for this year’s conference, “Rising To The Moment”.  Studio 360 made two proposals for key symbols, one using of the national symbol of Slovenia which is represented on the country’s flag, Mount Triglav, and the other using Ljubljana’s city emblem, the dragon.

Our designer first combined a creative imagining of an existing modern statue of a dragon in Ljubljana, combining colours from the rainbow flag with the dragon’s wings to suggest the LGBTI movement rising.

 The second proposal took the peaks of Mount Triglav, combining them with the rainbow colours and a symbol for rising, to again tie in with the conference title.

How we made our decision

Initially we liked the second version of the logo, based on Mount Triglav’s peaks. We felt it was a strong symbol of upwards movement, of ‘rising’, and it’s simplicity appealed to us.

Then we went through a process of consultation, with the Conference organising team and with our hosts. Their feedback was unanimously different. It was felt that the Mount Triglav version of the logo was more corporate than community, that it was harder to really identify the local symbolism, and that it wasn’t as pleasing to look at. It was also felt that the dragon was a more identifiable Slovenian emblem. We went with the feedback and Studio 360 further developed the logo, along with the conference title until we came up with the final design.

We’re really delighted with the final result, which we think both encapsulates the spirit of our Conference this year and represents an iconic, historic emblem of the beautiful city of Ljubljana. We’re looking forward to joining 450 activists from across Europe and Central Asia there this coming October for what promises to be a Conference to remember!

Our latest Intersections report on bi experiences in Europe has some interesting findings, both good and bad. To mark Bisexual Awareness Week, here are some key facts based on the region’s largest LGBTI survey to date about bi people and their lived experiences.

Bisexual Awareness Week is a time to celebrate the diverse and unique experiences of bi people and to raise awareness of the specific challenges they face. In our latest Intersections report, which focuses on the experiences of bisexual people, we found that the gap in data when it comes to understanding the lives of LGBTI people is particularly significant among those who identify as bi.

Many studies show that bisexual people are far less connected to LGBTI communities compared to gays and lesbians. Consequently, the data in this report may not be as representative of bisexual people as, for example, lesbian and gay people. Nevertheless, here are four outstanding findings:

1. Age plays a significant role

More young LGBTI respondents identify as bi, with 52.92% of those under 24 years old compared to 32.38% of those over 55.

While the percentage of people identifying as lesbian remains fairly consistent across age groups, there’s a big difference in people identifying as gay. Nearly half of those over 55 (45.66%) said they were gay, while just over a quarter of younger individuals (26.12%) said the same.

This data suggests that younger bi men may be more open about their identity. LGBTI youth may be more inclined to break traditional ideas of monosexuality and rigid binary gender categories. These strict norms can make it harder for people to recognise and proudly embrace a bi+ identity, including being bisexual.

2. More than half of bi people identify as women

50.52% of bisexuals identify as women, 39.99% as men, and 5.14% as non-binary. Additionally, 16.92% identify as trans, and 1.94% as intersex.

When asked about other communities they identify with, 7.92% of bi individuals consider themselves part of an ethnic group, including migrants, and 6.97% have disabilities.

3. Bi women are more exposed to violence

Among all sexual orientation groups, bi women respondents report the highest rates of violence, with up to 31% experiencing violence. Bisexual women are also the most likely to experience a sexual attack.

Notably, violence rates are highest among intersex bisexual individuals (57.10%), trans bisexual individuals (37.84%), nonbinary bisexual people (37.23%), and bisexual people with disabilities (41.70%).

4. Bi people are less open than gays and lesbians, but the trend is changing!

Over 50% of bisexual men and about over 30% of bi women are never open, our report shows.

Lesbian and gay individuals are on average more open about their sexual orientation compared to bisexual individuals. This disparity may be attributed to biphobia and the dual stigma faced by bisexual individuals.

The reluctance to be open may stem from fear of societal rejection, which appears to be more pronounced for bisexual men due to stricter gender norms.

In many societies, there’s an expectation of being heterosexual or exclusively gay or lesbian. This makes bisexuality, and other bi+ orientations, often seen as invalid or not taken seriously. Bisexual people also face stigma not only from heterosexuals but also from lesbian and gay communities. Consequently, many bi people are hesitant to be open to heterosexual people but also among LGBTI communities.

However, there’s a silver lining as it is heartening to see that younger bi people are increasingly open about their identity, living their lives authentically, and embracing themselves and others.

To learn more, explore our latest Intersections Report and check out the whole series here!

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.

At ILGA-Europe we are looking for a brand new Finance Director. We talked to the current Finance Director about why the position is such an exciting one, and why it might just be the right fit for you!

Why is being a Financial Director at ILGA-Europe such a unique and exciting position?

It’s a job that’s not only about managing money. It’s about making real change for human rights in Europe and Central Asia, and that means it comes with a level of passion and cross-team engagement that is unparalleled. If you are as passionate about positive change, as you are about managing finances, this job is for you.

Currently ILGA-Europe is going through a period of steady growth and diversification of funding, and this is happening at a turbulent time for the LGBTI movement in the region. From limitations being put on receiving funding by civil society in some of the more hostile countries we work in, to the fact that we are processing double the finances we did just a few years ago, the job goes beyond sheer money management – it allows the Finance Director to find new and creative ways to structure finances and operations, and design internal policies and controls that balance sound financial management with the fact we need to be responsive, agile and adaptable. The Finance Director, together with ILGA-Europe’s committed and highly skilled finance team, will manage an exciting puzzle of pieces of funding, but they will also contribute to our overall strategic impact.

People often read job descriptions and think they would not be considered for the position. What kind of person are we looking for?

Most of all, we are searching for someone who is passionate about using their financial skills to keep our work solid, smooth and impactful. This job is a lot about finding solutions, and about making it easier to do the important work ILGA-Europe carries out daily. We know there is no one perfect candidate, so while there is a wide list of tasks and competences, we always leave space for learning – and a willingness to grow within and along with ILGA-Europe is crucial to us.

If you are interested in this position, here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Can I manage organisational budgets with multiple sources of funding in a way that shows flexibility and a systemic approach at the same time?
• Am I able to design adequate operating and control systems to ensure our money doesn’t get lost or misreported?
• Can I manage a team with a diverse portfolio of tasks and ensure ILGA-Europe’s values are put into practice in operations?

What’s it like to work with the ILGA-Europe team?

The ILGA-Europe team are a dynamic bunch, who all enjoy the work that goes into building a strong movement for the human rights of LGBTI people. Not everyone on our team is from the LGBTI community, but everyone is committed to the essential freedom, safety and equality of all LGBTI people. There is a clear commitment from everyone in the team to quality and impact, and there’s a lot of cross-team cooperation.

Our new Finance Director will not only work within the finance team but will directly interact on project financial management with staff from other teams, will work with the Executive Board on our governance, with the Management Team on overall strategic implementation, policies, practices and maintaining a healthy organisational culture. The team offers a lot of support – both in terms of settling in Brussels and finding your way around our movement and work, and in terms of working out problems together. This is a type of approach we also expect from the person who fills the Finance Director positon, because our team as a whole is important to us. Plus, the ILGA-Europe team are a lot of fun to be with!

What is life in Brussels like, in terms of how far your wage goes, accommodation etc?

Brussels is a really fun and affordable city to live in, with a huge cultural life and a wide variety of activities and amenities. We provide one of the bests sets of compensation and benefits among similar organisations in Brussels, which means living in the city is very comfortable. Our insurance coverage is sensitive to medical needs of LGBTI people, our policies cover non-formal partners and dependants. Beyond that, the housing market is much more forgiving than in many other capitals, which means even the starting salaries even at the lowest grade allow for independent and comfortable living, with a convenient and short commute to work. There are plenty of houses and apartments to choose from, and they are generally significantly cheaper and more spacious than in London, Berlin, Paris, Dublin or Amsterdam. We believe in providing remuneration and benefit packages that allow people to thrive in their lives.   

If there was one thing you could say to encourage people who might think this job could be a fit for them, what would it be?

We are an organisation leading real positive change for people at a time when this is much needed in our world. As an employer, we assess people for their competences built on past experience, but also for their potential, and we invest in the people we work with. Our approach to recruitment is about fairness, respect, and sensitivity to how different experiences impact people’s professional careers and build their skills. And we welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, because we actively work towards and believe in diversity and inclusion.

In countries where governments are pushing back on LGBTI people’s rights, joining Pride events is a courageous act that carries higher risks. However, it is in their invisible, everyday work where LGBTI activists showcase their most profound courage. The LGBTI movement in Turkey, as well as in Armenia and Azerbaijan, serve as remarkable examples of resilience against all odds. Keep reading to discover some key insights from our movement and find out more in our podcast.

“Take a moment and imagine yourself in this context,” begins Anastasia Smirnova, ILGA-Europe’s Programmes Director in a recent episode of The Frontline. “For eight years, you’ve been living amidst detentions, smear campaigns, cases against LGBTI activists, and violence that goes unpunished. Extremism and terrorism are terms often associated with the LGBTI movement. You vividly remember last year’s Pride events where hundreds were detained and subjected to police violence.”

This is not a fictional scenario but the daily reality of LGBTI activists in Turkey. Led by recently re-elected President Erdoğan, the Turkish government has intensified systematic attacks on LGBTI people since 2015, when the Istanbul Pride march was banned for the first time.

“So, would you show up at the Pride events in Turkey this year?” asks Anastasia.

“Not an imaginary you – not the bravest and most courageous version of you living in a vacuum. But the real you, with your life circumstances, responsibilities, and current challenges. What would inspire and empower you to show up, ready to face violence and knowing that detentions are possible?”

LGBTI activists in Turkey, and in countries where the government actively opposes LGBTI rights and existence, face potential repercussions, including in their personal lives. But instead of being discouraged by Erdogan’s hostility exhibited during the elections and the previous nine years in office, LGBTI activists in Turkey have organised a record number of Pride events over the spring and summer.

Despite all the risks and knowing that 500 people were detained during Pride season in 2022, they continue to show up.

“It is hard to imagine a stronger and clearer display of strength, solidarity, and resilience than LGBTI people and allies in Turkey taking to the streets, participating in the broader political context, and using their voices despite years of political intimidation,” says Anastasia.

Activism beyond Pride events

They do this not only during Pride season but every day. “For this to be possible, massive invisible work has to happen daily.” This work, unlike Pride events, will not make headlines. Yet, this is the work that enables people to continue showing up and grow their strength in numbers.

Prides and public protests are not the only signs of a strong movement. Referring to the countries at the bottom of our Rainbow Map ranking, where freedom of assembly is severely restricted, “people’s power manifests very differently, and often not on the surface,” explains Anastasia

Examples are offering expertise pro bono, contributing money, helping build connections with businesses, other civil society organisations, the media, among professionals or in educational, cultural, or healthcare spaces.

“It is people doing what they can in their immediate environment to improve the situation of LGBTI people, creating an alternative layer in society that counters state-sponsored anti-LGBTI ideologies,” says Anastasia.

What Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan teach us

The three countries at the bottom of the Rainbow Europe scale in 2023 are Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Armenia, the same as the last three years. Yet, the LGBTI movement in these countries offers valuable lessons for all LGBTI groups across the board.

“Over the last 15 years, we’ve seen not only how countries can advance but also how human rights and freedoms are attacked,” says Mehmet Akin, Senior Communications Officer with ILGA-Europe.

When anti-democratic representatives instrumentalise LGBTI people for their own political gain, the freedoms of LGBTI people are gradually taken away. Countries at the top of our ranking are not immune to these anti-democratic forces, who are increasing their presence across the region.

“This is a wake-up call from countries at the bottom of the ranking to those at the top, as LGBTI rights are one of their primary targets,” says Mehmet.

Despite all hardships, LGBTI movements in Russia or Turkey, but also in the EU, as in Poland or Hungary, have developed effective strategies for advocacy, community building, and exercising their freedom of assembly and expression.

“I think activists at the top of our list can learn from the countries at the bottom in terms of the experience they’ve already gained in continuing their work despite legal regression and societal repression,” concludes Mehmet.

Listen to the complete episode and learn more about the strength of the movement against all odds here and to all episodes about our Rainbow Map here.

Photo credits: Murat Kocabaş / Kaos GL

On October 1, Chaber will become the next Executive Director of ILGA-Europe. As they get ready to step into those shoes, let’s take a little time to get to know them, where they come from, how their activism progressed to this moment, and what they envisage for ILGA-Europe and the LGBTI movement in Europe and Central Asia in the coming years.

Hi Chaber! To begin with, tell us how and when did you first become involved in LGBTI activism?

I went to university in Warsaw to study psychology when I was 18. It was around the same time that I was coming out, so I started emailing LGBT organisations and asking for volunteer opportunities. No one really responded to my emails, so I went to the offices of KPH and asked if they needed anyone. There happened to be a meeting of a youth group that day, so I stayed for the meeting and then ended up staying in the youth group for the next couple of years.

What did LGBTI activism look like in Poland at the time?

Prides were met with violent opposition at the time. There were maybe two or three thousand people max at Pride in Warsaw, rather than the tens of thousands that go nowadays. The government was shifting a little, but there was no actual room for legislative progress or anything of that sort. As a youth group we were really focused on community organising and beginning to enter the public sphere for media campaigning, but in a very subtle way.

And what were you doing at the KPH youth group?

The work of the group was largely around the bringing together community members and creating a space for young people. It was done through organising exhibitions and parties, meetings, youth exchanges, things like that. So that’s what I was doing at the very beginning of it, organising spaces for young queer people to meet in the belief that sexual orientation was not a private issue. In that sense, it was politicising private lives to a certain extent. I think that also the one of the objectives that was lying behind it was to kind of create this stronger, more self-aware, younger community.

So, how did you go from working at the youth group to becoming the Executive Director of KPH?

After about a year in the youth group, I became the volunteer coordinator for the entire organisation. There were 16 branches of KPH across Poland, and some of my job was also to coordinate a network of volunteers from all of those branches. I was still studying for my degree, and the work was not paid. Soon I started getting engaged in small projects, organising events, trainings, taking part in internal developments. I got a part time job that later changed into managing parts of financial affairs of the organisation.

I was 22 years old when the organisation was undergoing a leadership transition, and the general assembly vested the role of president on me. There was no set staff structure at the time, no separation between the staff and board. Over the coming two years, it developed into a much more clarified structure, and my role shifted from President to Executive Director. The work didn’t change really that much, apart from the fact it became a full-time job and a very intentional thing I was doing with my life.

Did you always have a personality that was leadership oriented? How would you describe yourself in that respect?

I don’t think I ever had a huge drive for the visibility aspect of it, but I always had a drive for organising things, planning, making things work. Seeing how organisations could grow or how the structures grow, how we could become better and more effective at what we do, really shaping that strategic vision element of where we should be going. I always managed to surround myself with brilliant groups of people with whom we could carry out very ambitious work: from mobilising communities to engage with politicians, fostering a movement of parents, to legislative campaigns. All throughout my time at KPH, the people I was working with way more experienced activists from whom I could learn a lot. It was really a group effort in that sense. I’ve also spent the last six years on the board of the International Trans Fund, including as its Treasurer and Co-Chair, and there had a chance to co-create the strategy, structures and systems of a global grant-maker. The role was also an opportunity to grow personally in navigating colonial and racial dynamics and other systemic injustices we need to deal with as a movement every day.

You also were elected on to the board of ILGA-Europe during that time?

I joined the board in 2014. KPH and ILGA-Europe always had a close relationship, dating back to the early 2000s. Prides were being banned in Poland as that decade progressed, and ILGA-Europe were heavily investing in the development of KPH because it was the first advocacy organisation in the country. There were older groups in place, but largely focusing on providing psychological and legal support and other types of community work. KPH was founded to be a political player that invests in legal and societal change. And we continued to do so, just in new and creative ways, for all the following years.

In 2018, you became ILGA-Europe’s Finance Director. What would you say you learned during your five years in that role?

One thing that is most precious to me is being in an organisation that has such a vast and engaged membership. The membership of KPH was made up of individuals, many spread out around the country, and to make the organisation more cohesive and effective, we also limited the membership to a smaller number.

Working in ILGA-Europe is a different reality. It’s working in organisation that really puts a lot of effort into being driven by its membership, but also into directing where the membership and movement needs to go, where it needs to develop. From a Finance Director perspective, that was all around governance, around accountability, around helping to shape our programmatic work and regranting in a way that actually responds to needs and is conscious of realities of our members, and also building an ability to source information on the needs of the movement to funnel into the work. That was really a great piece of learning and something that I knew I wanted to learn when I was taking the job.

You’ve come from one of ILGA-Europe’s member organisations to the top role at ILGA-Europe. How important is that for you?

It makes me feel very lucky for all the opportunities for development I’ve had, because looking at our movement, I know that it’s very hard for people to progress and develop because of a lack of resources. The majority of our members do not have staff, do not have executive directors, do not have what they so badly need to do the work. It can be a much harder journey for some people than it was for me, with all the opportunities that I have had. But yet there’s also a feeling of being honoured and proud, because I’ve been involved and the LGBTI movement and different shapes and forms for 15 years. I’ve managed to do a lot of things outside of KPH, and ILGA-Europe as well. I have managed to interact with very many different organisations, both in Europe and globally, provide strategic direction and shift the way things are done.

It has been hard work to get here. It’s been 15 years of commitment and really putting all the energy, learning and capacities I have into the organisations I’ve worked with, to see them grow and develop and progress on their goals. The task of learning has been a continuous part of this journey and will continue for me. I think that’s the only way we build ourselves as professionals, by being continuously open to that learning and searching for new ways of doing things.

With all that experience and learning behind you, what do you see as the way forward ILGA-Europe’s work?

I think we’re in a moment in time where on one hand we have a mounting opposition against LGBTI rights across the region, taking different shapes and forms. We have weakened democracies and weak political systems in many countries, and upcoming elections that may limit our opportunities in the coming years. And at the same time, we have a movement that is extremely stretched, where we see many organisations undergoing leadership transitions, where we see a lot of burnout. The role of ILGA-Europe is to navigate and bridge that gap, driving the movement to the progress that is possible, and pushing the policy changes and improvements that make a difference. Which means that we need to surround ourselves with a movement full of vibrant and well-resourced and organisations that have the capacity to make use of the opportunities that arise occasionally, and develop strategies that actually work in the current context.

We live in a very, very different reality than we did five years ago and many of the ways and methods of work that we see organisations doing are just not working anymore. So, there is a big piece of our role in being that strategic thought, leader and figuring out where the highway of change can happen in the current context.

That is not a small ask.

No, it’s not, but we have a lot of building blocks in place because of the way that ILGA-Europe have been working and shaping its work through being really rooted in the movement, but at the same time having a bird’s eye view on different approaches and strategies. With more consolidation and internal learning and more connectedness with the movement, we are able to shape more effective work with the movement or for the movement.

We also have the power to mobilise significant resources and carrying out our work in a way where we can make best use of those resources and focusing them on, for example, development of specific organisations and different ways where they can achieve the most is a way in which we can really kind of harness the power.

You mentioned the changing landscape, and the landscape is also changing in Brussels. What are your thoughts about working forward?

I think we will have to put a lot of effort into making sure the issues of the LGBTI movement are still high on the agendas during elections. Obviously in the upcoming European Parliament elections, but also in the longer-term process around political participation of LGBTI communities and the public discourse in national elections. Whether it is around gender based violence, whether it’s about self-determination, bodily integrity and intersex rights, there are still elements of our political agenda and our benchmarks where we see there is an uptick on both regional and national level and that is something we need to continue to be pushing for.

What is your message for the movement as you get ready to take over the role?

It’s a message of unwavering commitment. I am looking forward to working together to strengthen our bonds and adapt so we can seize all the moments and opportunities that are, and will become available to us as we move forward as a diverse, vibrant and well-resourced movement able not only to withstand any opposition, but to adapt, work together, and through that forge sustainable progress. I can’t wait for my work in this respect to begin.

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.

In our last Skills Boost session, over 70 LGBTI activists learnt how to find and tell a story from the data that speaks about their own work. Take a look at the impressive charts developed as part of the session and learn more about how to use data visualisation in your daily communications.

In today’s visually-driven world, communicating with images is more important than ever. That’s why LGBTI activists are seeking ways to transform complex figures and dry data into visual representations that tell a captivating story.

To support them in their mission, in May we hosted a Skills Boost session focused on data visualisation. The response was enthusiastic, with over 70 LGBTI activists from across Europe participating in the workshop. Using data from our Rainbow Map & Index and with no previous design skills, the participants unleashed their creativity and harnessed the power of visualisation to craft their own compelling charts.

The first half of the session opened with our facilitators sharing some advice from Minami Funakoshi, a non-binary awarded graphics journalist for Reuters:

“Instead of starting with the data and trying to find the story in it, you treat data as something that can help explain a question”.

Funakoshi’s visual story on Gender and Language has received several prize nominations and awards, and it served as an inspiration for ways of thinking of data beyond numbers.

During the rest of session, participants generously shared these important tips with one another:

• Finding the data – Participants shared ways of extracting data from owned sources but also from open sources like Our World in Data, the FRA LGBTI survey , and alternatives like Google Trends.
• Finding the story – Our Senior Communications Officer, Mehmet Akin shared his experience filtering through a vast data set of criteria across 49 countries in ILGA-Europe’s 2023 Rainbow Map and Index in order to tell a coherent story in 2023, and what other stories they thought might still need to be told.
• Creating the visual – Activists examined the pros and cons of tools like Tableau, Adobe Express, and Canva. They also learnt from a live crowd-sourced demonstration of how we could make a draft graphic in ten minutes using the Rainbow Map data for graphics showing either comparisons, or trends. Check out the templates provided during the session here and here.

Using our Rainbow Map & Index to learn data visualisation

Our Rainbow Map is a benchmarking tool of the laws and policies that have a direct impact on LGBTI people’s human rights. From the collected data we show the situation in 49 countries under 74 and in seven categories. However, the data can be presented in many other ways. We asked the Skills Boost participants to find and tell the following stories:

Our Skills Boost participants delivered wonderful visualisations

At the end of the first half of the Skills Boost session, we invited the participants to work on their own graphics and send them to us, and three people took the challenge! Two used data from ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and one used the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s LGBTI Survey results. 

Jae, whose association collaborates with a shelter house for trans people, wanted to explore the experience of having housing difficulties across the LGBTQIA+ community in Europe. This is what Jae said:

“I used the data from the EU LGBTI Survey II and I found lots of interesting things. I focused on the broad concept of having experienced housing difficulties, without differentiating right now between more mild events (having to sleep at a friend’s place) and more extreme cases (sleeping in a public space). I could have stopped there, but I also thought to underline a worst-case scenario, in this instance Sweden, the worst country for LGBTI people and for some of the surveyed categories when it comes to this problem”.

Jochem Verdonk from Principle 17 (a collective of activists from the Netherlands that promotes customised trans* health care) designed four graphics to illustrate the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI People in the Netherlands.

He started with a data graphic with all seven categories in one graphic, but “that turned out to be quite chaotic”. 

So he decided it’s better to make three separate data graphics with similar tendencies. 

After ILGA-Europe’s team and guests’ feedback in the second half of the session, Jochem tried several alternatives but decided to keep the graphics the way they were. However, he did make the lay-outs of the several images more equal by using the same fonts, sizes and lay-out. He also decided to separate the Intersex Bodily Integrity into another graphic, to emphasize the complete lack of rights. He even published an article about the deterioration of LGBTI people’s rights in the Netherlands attaching all the graphics. Have a look!

Bart Andersen from Britain decided to use infographics to:

“Remind ourselves that no country should take human rights for granted, that they are all won with effort and can de-evolve, or develop quickly”

Bart also wanted to “point to countries that Britain and others perceive as not advanced on human rights but which are actually overtaking,” as well as to undermine the narrative of Britain’s Conservative party when it presents itself as an advocate of LGBTQ+ rights”.

Bart was curious if the events path would be nicer in another slide of the same project.  And if he shall remove all notes and let the reader do some independent investigation?

Want to stay in touch and learn more about communications for LGBTI activists? Join our closed Communications support group for LGBTI activists on Facebook and check our Resource Hub. There you can also find resources from our previous sessions on crisis communication, how to make home-made campaign videos, making graphics with free tools, and fundraising during crises. 

This year, as we do every year, ILGA-Europe have worked with private companies who wish to support our work. But we don’t take every offer that comes our way. Here’s they why, how and what when it comes to partnering with corporates to enhance our vital work with activist organisations across Europe!

Pride season is a time when many companies seek to put LGBTI equality and inclusion front and centre, both internally and externally. It’s also a peak period of corporate support for Prides and other LGBTI groups, including ILGA-Europe. Pride season across Europe continues into September when EuroPride takes place in Malta, so we want to share some highlights of corporate support in 2023 in this blog.

Why do we collaborate with companies?

We are often asked about our collaborations with companies, how we go about them and why. One obvious reason for us to partner with corporates is that it brings vital funding for our work for LGBTI people’s safety, equality and freedom across the European and Central Asian regions. What’s more, this is unrestricted funding, which we can directly regrant to activist organisations in a way that gives LGBTI activists the help they need exactly when they need it, without them having to fill in huge amounts of paperwork that more bureaucratic funders need. This flexibility is particularly important in countries where LGBTI people are at risk.  

Beyond funding, private sector partnerships also help raise awareness and bring messages about LGBTI inclusion to different people. As employers, companies contribute to creating inclusive workplaces for LGBTI employees, and in the outside world, they have an impact on the markets in which they operate.

What do we consider before working with a company?

ILGA-Europe’s corporate partnerships are guided by our private sector engagement policy, which sets out principles for working with companies. We look at, for example, the company’s track record on inclusive employment policies, and what it is doing in to foster inclusivity and equality in society. Even if a company still has some way to go, we believe a genuine, demonstrated commitment to advancing rights and inclusion is what matters. This year, as with every year, we have turned down partnership proposals from companies because they were not aligned with our aims or values.

What ways are companies supporting ILGA-Europe this Pride season?

Corporate support can take many different forms, from public-facing Pride campaigns and special edition products to internal awareness raising and tapping into employee giving programmes.

Our collaboration with VIA Outlets this year is a positive example of a brand-new partnership both raising funds and bringing messages of LGBTI equality to new audiences. In words of their CEO Otto Ambagtsheer, the company aims to “create a working and shopping environment that is inclusive and embraces diversity.”

VIA Outlets operates 11 outlet shopping centres in nine countries across Europe, so supporting a pan-European organisation through their Pride campaign made sense to them. For the first time, each centre put on a special Pride exhibition throughout June, showcasing unique shopper bag designs commissioned from local artists and creators connected to the LGBTI community. Visitors could purchase the bags, with proceeds from sales donated to ILGA-Europe.

ILGA-Europe was also pleased to continue collaborating with long-standing partners, including fintech company Revolut, which launched its fifth annual Pride campaign supporting ILGA-Europe. New or existing customers can order a special edition rainbow payment card by making a minimum donation to ILGA-Europe. To show their commitment to LGBTI equality, for every card ordered until the end of July 2023, Revolut will donate £1 to ILGA-Europe, up to £10,000.

Over the past weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of talking to staff teams at a diverse range of companies from easyJet and PayPal to Ipsos, helping to raise awareness about the LGBTI rights situation across Europe as part of their Pride activities. It’s been heartening to see such interest and engagement, with sometimes hundreds of employees tuning in from offices across the region and beyond, asking about what they can do to help.

Several office teams have also put the ‘fun’ into fundraising, with Fourtold’s Brussels office putting on a bake sales, the Toyota Europe team organising a drag show featuring the fabulous LaDiva Live, and the easyJet team taking on dance machine challenges to both have fun with colleagues and raise money for ILGA-Europe.

You can find out more about how companies can support the work of ILGA-Europe on our website, where you can download our ‘partnerships for equality’ information pack and listen to podcast episodes diving into the topic of engaging the private sector for LGBTI equality.

Our Equality Fundraiser on June 29 was an evening of unity, reflection and celebration of the power of activism as over 200 participants gathered in Brussels to support LGBTI rights in Europe and Central Asia. Petra De Sutter, Belgium’s Vice Prime Minister, was the guest of honour. Drag artist Mocca Bonè, the Mow Quartet and DJ Eliana brought the entertainment, and the focus was on how everyone can play their part in ensuring equality amid the current backlash on LGBTI rights and lives.

Achieving and advancing LGBTI rights is the result of sustained work across our societies. As ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis rightfully pointed out, each one of us has the power to contribute to these efforts by showing up.

“Counteracting backlash and moving onwards towards real social change is deeply collective work,” Evelyne emphasised during her speech at our Equality Fundraiser 2023. “This is not the story of one person or one organisation. It’s the story of how more and more people have shown up over the years.”

We are immensely grateful to the over 200 people who joined us on the special evening of June 29 in Brussels for our annual Equality Fundraiser. These participants came from across EU institutions, civil society organisations, law firms, private companies, and LGBTI activist groups in the region. With so many buying tickets and giving generously on the night, it means we can better support the work of LGBTI activists in Europe, using this unrestricted funding to get money to activists who need it, when they need it, often in regions where there is a backlash on LGBTI lives. By having more people show up, we can better contribute to advancing LGBTI people’s rights in the region.

Building on the success of last year’s fundraiser, we were happy to return to LaVallée as our venue for the second year in a row. Belgium’s Vice Prime Minister, Petra de Sutter opened the evening, honouring some of the brave LGBTI activists she has met and reminding the audience about the importance of European Elections next year. They will be a critical moment when voters will choose whether to continue advancing LGBTI people’s rights or make a “U-turn, back to an unequal and exclusionary society,” she said.

“I know this might sound dramatic, but looking at today’s challenges, I sincerely believe that this is what’s at stake. Because even though progress is being made – think of Estonia which just legalised same-sex marriage – we are, at the same time, hearing increasingly loud dissenting voices from conservative groups, who are against equal rights for LGBTQI+ people,” she added.

Evelyne Paradis acknowledged this trend. “I’ve seen the journey we have been on over the years, and what I understand from that overview is that we are at a turning point,” Paradis said in what was her last speech at our fundraiser, as she will sadly be leaving ILGA-Europe after 18 years this coming September.

“The opposition wasn’t organised in the same way as it was 18 years ago, or even a decade ago. It is now in full force, and it is funded to almost unimaginable levels. It is far from a level playing field.”

With your support, ILGA-Europe can continue its vital work in the face of growing opposition. By showing up at our annual fundraiser you help us to build very much needed flexible funding. This kind of resource allows us to reach places where LGBTI people are at most risk and backlash is fully happening. It allows ILGA-Europe to enable activist organisations to fight back, grow and become stronger.

All photo credits: Ivo Popov.

A month after the Turkish elections, for which the winner,Recep Tayyip Erdoğan scapegoated LGBTI people, activists and allies have been rallying at Pride marches across the country. In this blog, we present an up-to-date account of the latest events, as reported by LGBTI activists on the ground in Turkey.

LGBTI activists in Turkey are determined to stand up for human rights. The government, led by President Erdoğan, has been intensifying its systematic attacks on LGBTI individuals since 2015, when Istanbul Pride march was banned for the first time. A month after the re-election of Erdoğan on a ticket that instrumentalised LGBTI people as an enemy, it is Pride season once more in Turkey.

Hate speech, prohibitions, and systematic attacks by Turkish authorities on Pride events have been ongoing ever since that first ban. In 2019, 19 activists were charged with unlawful assembly for participating in a peaceful Pride March at METU University. After a trial that was delayed several times, the METU 19 were eventually acquitted in 2021.

Following his re-election as President of Turkey for another five years, Erdoğan again directed his hostility towards the LGBTI community, targeting LGBTI+ people throughout his campaign and the previous nine years in office. During the election campaign, the ruling bloc expanded its coalition with the New Welfare Party and HÜDAPAR, which are known for their anti-LGBTI+ stance and the ruling party signed a protocol with the New Welfare Party which has been demanding the closure of LGBTI+ associations.

Instead of being discouraged by these daunting events, or the fear of increased pressure from the government, LGBTI activists are working harder than ever to ensure their right to assemble and to be seen. As risks and repression grow, activists on the ground are closely monitoring this Pride season. We will continue to develop this list as news comes in.

Saturday, June 2 – Bilkent University Pride, Ankara: No intervention or arrests occurred.

Friday, June 9 – METU Pride, Ankara: Police intervened and made 15 arrests, but all were released by 03:00.

Sunday, June 12 – Sabancı University of Istanbul: Peaceful event with no arrests or police intervention.

Sunday, June 12 – Cins Klüp: The LGBTI+ student community at Sabancı University, one of the most prestigious universities in Turkey, organised a Pride march on campus despite attempts by the private security unit to prevent it.

June 16-18 – Aydın LGBTI+ Pride Week: No march, only events were held.

Sunday, June 18 – Adana Colors of Resistance organised an event for trans visibility day called “Trans visibility in the struggle of LGBTI+ rights”.

Sunday, June 18 – Trans Pride Istanbul: The newly appointed Istanbul Governor, Davut Gül, had previously targeted Trans Pride and the LGBTI+ Pride March, issuing a threatening message on Twitter with an emphasis on “family”. Although no official ban was issued by the Governorate, the police blocked the Taksim area with barricades on Sunday morning. The police attacked those gathered in the Harbiye district of Beyoğlu and also targeted press workers who were documenting the events. Despite these challenges, activists delivered their press statement and marched for the 9th Trans Pride.

Sunday, June 25 – Istanbul Pride: The march took place without police intervention, but the police intervened after the march had concluded and the number of detainees has reached 64, including foreign nationals in danger of deportation. Relevant UN agencies, LGBTI+ and refugee organizations are following the process.

Sunday, June 25 – Izmir Pride: A ban was announced the night before the march. There was violent police intervention, resulting in the detention of approximately 50 individuals. Protesters were handcuffed behind their backs, manhandled, and kept in detention cars without fresh air for an extended period.

On Sunday 9 July – Eskişehir Pride: Police blockaded the Hasan Polatkan Cultural Center, where the march was to take place. Stating that the Governorate of Eskişehir had issued a ban on 14 June, the police announced that they would not allow the march to go ahead. Those who had gathered for the march asked for time to disperse. The police intervened harshly and detained 18 people, two of whom are lawyers. The detainees were released on the same day.

3-9 July – Adana for LGBTI+ Pride Week: The police intervened during a press statement organised for Pride Week. 18 people, including HDP Provincial Co-Chair, Helin Kaya, were beaten and detained. Green Left Party Mersin MP Perihan Koca was beaten and reverse handcuffed. The detainees were released by midnight.

It is not just Pride marches that face repression and obstruction. LGBTI-themed gatherings and events are also facing similar treatment.

In June, the second Aegean Pride Picnic, organised by LGBTI students at Ege University in Izmir, received open threats from Turkish Youth Union (TGB), the youth branch of the Patriotic Party, Grand Family Platform (Büyük Aile Platformu), TÜGVA and the New Welfare Party and was eventually postponed after the police stated that they could not ensure the safety of LGBTI+ students. When the organisers attempted to read a public statement in front of the Izmir Bar Association, a professional organisation of lawyers defending human rights, the police attacked activists and assaulted lawyers. Despite these challenges, the activists managed to read their statement.

The Pride Picnic of Direnişin Renkleri (The Colors of Resistance), a local student initiative at Izmir Democracy University, had planned their own Pride Picnic on June 13. However, hours before the event, the police initiated a blockade both on the university campus and in the picnic area. The police threatened LGBTI+ students and detained two students by beating them. The detained students were taken to Balçova Police Headquarters but were later released after providing their statements.

On June 14, the Patriotic Party and its youth branch, Turkish Youth Union (TGB), targeted an LGBTI+ Pride Month event scheduled to take place at the Ankara Bar Association. A group of ten people gathered before a gender equality panel and insulted those attending. The police did not intervene, and the event proceeded despite the provocation.

On June 15, the Eskişehir Governorate banned all kinds of LGBTI+ themed public events across the city for a month, citing “public morality”.

Also on June 15, the ‘Tea & Talk’ event for English speakers in Istanbul, organised by Lambda Istanbul,  one of the oldest LGBTI+ associations in Türkiye and held in various café’s for years, was banned by the Kadıköy District Governorate. The ban was communicated to the café where the event was supposed to take place. According to the Kadıköy District Governorate, it is “inappropriate” for LGBTI+ individuals to sit in a café, drink tea and engage in conversation.

The concerts of singers Melike Şahin and Mabel Matiz in Bursa and Denizli, respectively, were cancelled due to their LGBTI+ supportive award speeches and celebration pride at the stage at the Elle Style Awards. Denizli’s municipality cancelled Mabel Matiz’s concert without providing any reason. Melike Şahin is known for her support to LGBTI+ movement while Mabel Matiz is an openly queer singer.

As a human rights organisation, ILGA-Europe are deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTI activists and the repression of LGBTI events in Turkey.

During a recent study visit organised by ILGA-Europe, activists discussed the protection of LGBTI rights in Turkey at different EU institutions. We will continue to follow Prides in Turkey in close contact with activists and to mobilise international support to ensure the freedom of assembly and all human rights of LGBTI people in the country.  

At the recent Democracy Alive conference in Brussels, our Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis spoke about the DNA that drives LGBTI activists in a Europe where there’s a mistaken assumption that everyone has access to democracy.

Across Europe, authoritarian leaders continue to target and scapegoat LGBTI individuals, bringing increased polarisation of public discourse and violence in the streets. LGBTI activists counteract by defending democratic values with unwavering determination. But this defence is not merely a reaction; it is part of their DNA.

During a recent panel organised by the European Movement at their Democracy Alive conference, our Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis highlighted that although we may assume that everyone has equal access to democracy, this is not the reality, and reflected on why marginalised groups need democracies and why democracies find some of their greatest champions among LGBTI activists. 

Today’s blog is a snapshot of the important message Evelyne was at the conference to deliver.

“People who have remained marginalised want to have the same rights, and it is crucial to address their aspirations for equality. Marginalised groups require a system that not only permits but actively enables the protection of their basic rights. While democracy may not be flawless, marginalised communities, including LGBTI people, rely on its rules and practices; they depend on them to access their fundamental rights.

This is one of the key reasons why LGBTI activists find themselves at the forefront of defending freedom of assembly, association, expression, and media freedom. These freedoms are not only rights that LGBTI individuals, like everyone else, are entitled to, they are also essential to enabling communities and individuals to advance equality. It is thanks to these rights that LGBTI communities can organise and march in public spaces in safety, can freely inform and contribute to public discussions, and so on.

Another reason the defence of democracy matters so much for LGBTI people is that attacks on democracy are coming at a very real cost to them. The rise of authoritarian regimes across Europe comes hand-in-hand with scapegoating by populist far-right leaders of LGBTI individuals, migrants, and other vulnerable groups as part of their divisive tactics for political gain. This has concrete and dire consequences in people’s lives, as last year we witnessed the deadliest rise in anti-LGBTI violence in over a decade.

But it’s not just about pointing fingers at far-right parties and authoritarian leaders. We must look at ourselves in the mirror and accept our democracies are not perfect, also in places where things seem to be fine.

While democracy may be one of the most promising systems for ensuring basic protections, not everyone enjoys equal access to them and many are left behind. At its core, democracy is made of trust. To earn and have trust, people need to feel listened to, heard and included. At the moment, there’s a high risk of many disengaging and becoming more disillusioned by democracy simply because they do not find themselves in it.

This is why it is crucial to listen to LGBTI people and other marginalised groups when they demand equality. Firstly, democracy is about protecting everyone’s rights. By paying attention to their needs, we honour that principle. Secondly, LGBTI activists are some of the fiercest defenders of democracy. Their commitment contributes to ensuring that our democracies are alive and flourishing. By addressing their demands, we can build a more inclusive democracy while making sure that its champions remain strong.”

Equality advocates strive to influence positive change at national levels, but it’s in our towns, villages and cities where these changes are experienced.

Positive change for LGBTI people is often thought of on the macro scale. Civil society organisations work hard alongside institutions, representatives and governments so we all push together in the right direction. But these efforts must boil down to the day-to-day lives of LGBTI people. Ultimately, it’s the safety and freedom of LGBTI people to be who they are in the villages, towns and cities they live in what is at stake.

Municipalities, often an overlooked level of government, is the level that is closest to people’s daily lives. It is the place where all the significant legal recognitions are implemented, where change is filtered down and becomes real. Whether it is altering your gender marker on your documents, whether it is where you are educated or want to have your children educated, whether it is the health services you access, or how your communities are shaped, city level is where so much of it comes together.

So, the importance of engaging municipalities on LGBTI rights and equality is enormous. It’s particularly important in the localities of countries where many of the positive legal developments have happened. But how does a local government translate the full ambitions of a law that sets out to give LGBTI people rights so that they actually change lived realities?

We have seen a recent example at the second edition of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, where two ILGA-Europe board members participated on the jury. The city of Gdańsk in Poland won a special recognition for fostering LGBTIQ equality with its numerous initiatives involving inclusive public services and support for victims of discrimination.  This Polish city shows us that even in difficult national contexts for LGBTI people, positive leadership at a municipal level can enhance instead of limiting lives. It teaches us how important these kinds of tools are for local governments who wish to foster inclusion.

The municipal level is not only about politics and legislation though; it is also where community happens. At a time when democracy and human rights come under challenge in so many parts of our region, cities have a crucial role to play in ensuring that LGBTI people, who are active citizens contributing to the community, can be protected and cared for in their daily lives.

This blog is adapted from our Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis’s foreword to ‘Rainbow Cities in Action: Policy Guidelines for Municipalities’ by Rainbow Cities Network.

Rainbow Cities Network (RCN) is an international network of municipalities who have adopted a dedicated LGBTIQ policy, actively working against discrimination and for equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and other queer people (LGBTIQ) in their cities. Founded in 2013, its goal is to bring together cities engaged in implementing municipal LGBTIQ policies and to strengthen local LGBTIQ work through the exchange of experience, expertise and good practices.

For decades, men who have sex with men have been barred from donating blood or subject to discriminatory rules. Now, as both our Rainbow Map and Annual Review 2023 show, an increasing number of countries in Europe are dismantling these discriminatory practices. As European Public Health Week comes to an end, let’s take a closer look at the countries paving the way.

Since the early 80s, certain groups with higher rates of HIV were prohibited from donating blood, including gay and bi men, and trans people in some cases. These measures, intended to prevent contagion, contributed to the stigma in these communities. Today, with advancements in testing and a better understanding of blood-transmitted viruses, blood banks are now capable of ensuring safer donations. It is also time to acknowledge that risk behaviours, not sexual orientation or gender identity, should determine who is eligible to donate blood.

European Public Health Week (EUPHW) seeks to raise awareness about public health and foster collaboration within the European public health community. Since 2019, this annual initiative keeps on growing. This year, from 22 to 26 May, it has focused on various themes, including diversity in health, access to care, and mental health care for all.

LGBTI people continue to face discrimination in healthcare and encounter numerous barriers to accessing proper care. That is why it remains crucial for more countries to revoke blanket bans or long waiting periods for blood donations, so men who have sex with men (MSM) and trans people are treated equally in health spaces.

Instead of blanket bans or long deferral periods, a non-discriminatory approach to blood donations would base fitness to donate on the same set of risk assessment criteria for all potential applicants, with deferral decisions based on risk behaviours without focus on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The trend-setters

In 2022, 11 countries lifted bans or reduced deferral periods for blood donations from MSM (and trans people in some cases), and there was no regression in this trend. Bans were lifted in France, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovenia, Austria, and Armenia. In total, 18 European countries have ceased discriminating against MSM and trans people in blood donation.

Other countries are also following these steps towards equality. Germany recently passed a law banning discrimination in blood donations, although guidelines are yet to be published and implemented. Belgium and Estonia have shortened their deferral periods as well. In Belgium, the Ministry of Health introduced a four-month deferral period in May 2022 after the High Council of Health (CSS) concluded that the 12-month abstinence requirement for MSM who want to donate blood was no longer justifiable. Similarly, Estonia reduced the deferral period from 12 to four months. Furthermore, the Chancellor of Justice later stated that any such blanket restriction is unreasonable and discriminatory.

By focusing on risk behaviours rather than sexual orientation or gender identity, men who have sex with men and trans people are one step closer to breaking free from discrimination and stigma. At ILGA-Europe we will continue to work for a world where every LGBTI person is equal and can fully enjoy their human rights.

For over a decade, ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Index has been an essential tool for benchmarking LGBTI people’s rights across the region. But have you ever wondered how it comes together? In this blog, we’ll take you behind the scenes and show you the makings of our Rainbow Map, and how has it changed over time.

If you are reading this, you probably know that our Rainbow Map and Index ranks all 49 European countries on a scale between 0% and 100%, where 0% means gross violations of human rights, and 100% means full equality of LGBTI people.

In the present edition and for the eighth year in a row, Malta continues to occupy the number one spot of the ranking, with a score of 89%. The three countries at the other end of the scale are Armenia (9%), Turkey (4%) and in bottom place Azerbaijan (2%), exactly the same as the last three years. Among them, only Armenia increased an index point after revoking its ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men.

We use 74 criteria divided into seven categories: equality and non-discrimination; family; hate crime and hate speech; legal gender recognition; intersex bodily integrity; civil society space; and asylum.

The Rainbow Index shows which criteria each country fulfils under each category, while the Rainbow Map displays each country in a colour based on their total score. Together they reflect the legal and policy protection of LGBTI people in Europe.

How do we put the Rainbow Map and Index together?

Throughout the year, we collect relevant data sets and verify the data with member organisations and our network of country experts. This network consists of LGBTI human rights defenders, researchers, lawyers, and other experts from the 49 countries of Europe.

We use this data to create country scores, country rankings, and regional averages. In case you were wondering, we don’t use a magic wand to compile and analyse the data. Our magic is done using Excel spreadsheets!

We then design a map and index and update the online website module for the launch, which usually happens during the IDAHOT Forum, an annual intergovernmental focal point meeting of the Council of Europe about LGBTI rights, where many European government officials come together.

A changing map for a changing reality

What a journey has it been for our Rainbow Map! The first edition in 2009 consisted of a map which provided information concerning 13 issues. In the 2010 edition, we added an index and collected data with regard to 14 indicators. Fast forward to 2023: in the latest edition we are using 74 criteria, including the most recent category, intersex bodily integrity, introduced last year. This evolution shows that for the LGBTI movement in Europe, equality and non-discrimination laws, legal gender recognition, bodily integrity, protection from hatred and violence, family rights, and protection of asylum seekers are all interconnected and equally essential for the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTI people.

Each of the 74 criteria has a different percentage of weight allocated to it. The weight for each has also been changed over the years, as we have added new elements to the criteria. As a result of these alterations, the Rainbow Map and Index gives a more accurate and evolving picture of what LGBTI people really need and what matters to the lives of people in different parts of LGBTI communities across Europe.

Alterations to our criteria make year-on-year comparisons difficult, but certain lessons are clear – countries that are expanding their legislative horizons are moving up in the ranking.

ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Index is a powerful tool to understand how European countries are protecting LGBTI people and to keep governments accountable. It serves as a reminder that the fight for full equality and human rights for LGBTI people is far from over, but we’re making progress, one country at a time.

The Rainbow Map & Index 2023 was launched on 11 May, check out now how your country is doing at www.rainbow-europe.org.

A new report from ILGA-Europe in association with OII Europe finds that Intersex people experience some of the highest levels of discrimination and marginalisation of all groups surveyed in the most recent cross-European LGBTI study.

For our latest Intersections briefing, we have partnered with OII-Europe to look deeply into the lived experiences of intersex people across Europe, by disaggregating the responses of intersex people to the 2019 FRA LGBTI Survey II.

For readers who have not crossed paths with this survey before, in 2019, FRA (EU Agency for Fundamental Rights), conducted the second round of the LGBTI Survey which shows how LGBTI people experience their fundamental rights in daily life across Europe and remains the largest survey of its kind to date. For the first time, the survey included the experiences of intersex people and determined that intersex people experience some of the highest levels of discrimination and marginalisation across all groups included in the study.

The key findings

Intersex people are among the most vulnerable groups within the LGBTI population. The survey showed that intersex respondents reported lower levels of life satisfaction and much higher difficulties in making ends meet and housing difficulties. Respondents also reported higher levels of discrimination, as well as distrust in authorities and not knowing how to report discrimination. Finally, they also reported experiencing much higher obstacles to healthcare and higher exposure to physical and, especially, sexual attacks.

Intersex people from marginalised groups are at even higher risk. When your identity is at the intersection of vulnerable grounds, you are exposed to particular forms of discrimination. For example, in this briefing, we found that intersex respondents from ethnic minorities (including of migrant backgrounds) were more likely to experience homelessness and to avoid healthcare services. Trans intersex women were disproportionately exposed to discrimination when looking for work. Non-binary intersex respondents were more likely to feel discriminated against by school or university personnel and intersex people with disabilities reported a dramatically higher incidence of harassment.

Intersex people are subjected to non-vital medical interventions without their informed consent. Nearly two thirds of intersex respondents who were subjected to surgeries did not personally consent to the first decisions about their own bodies, stating that their “parents or someone else” or “no one” gave consent to their first treatment or intervention. This highlights the urgent need for education and training on intersex people’s needs and rights for all medical professionals. Many of these interventions are irreversible and have serious and lifelong consequences for the person.

This report finds that intersex people face significant vulnerability and some of the highest levels of discrimination. We will continue to call on governments and international bodies to ban non-vital medical interventions on intersex people without their informed consent, so the bodily integrity of intersex people is protected, which is their fundamental right.

You can check out the full briefing on intersex people here and previous Intersections reports on older people, youth, and lesbians.

Tackling hate crimes against LGBTI people requires the cooperation of police authorities, but for different reasons this doesn’t always happen. In this blog, we share some ways in which LGBTI organisations can contribute to combating attacks against the LGBTI community, which are still on the rise across Europe.

In our latest Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI people in Europe and Central Asia, we’ve continued to see a rise in hate attacks against LGBTI people across the region. While this is not a new trend, it’s a concerning one that we’ve been monitoring for some time. Many survivors of these attacks do not report them to the police but instead turn to civil society, an in particular LGBTI organisations for help.

People in LGBTI organisations are trusted by their communities and survivors of hate crimes often feel more comfortable approaching them than the authorities. This is why many LGBTI organisations not only provide support but also collect data and monitor these attacks. However, organisations can only do so much, for this reason cooperation with law enforcement authorities is crucial.

The European Commission has developed a guide for national authorities on how to work collaboratively with civil society organisations in combating hate crime. Civil society organisations play a vital role in understanding the needs of victims, the local context, and the challenges faced by those at risk of hate crime. Partnerships with the police can lead to tailored responses to hate crimes, support operational police work, and help build trust and confidence in authorities.

Here are some actions that LGBTI organisations can take to contribute to police work in combating hate crime:

• Reach out to individuals and groups at risk of hate crime victimisation and raise awareness of their rights, including through schools and educational activities.
• Encourage reporting of hate crimes and empower victims and witnesses to come forward.
• Facilitate reporting on behalf of the victims.
• Participate in and contribute to effective referral arrangements for victims.
• Share methodologies of data collection and patterns of biases.
• Increase the capacities of police and law enforcement authorities through training sessions and practical guidance.
• Assist victims in reporting hate crimes and accessing specialist support, providing emotional support, practical help, information, and accompanying victims to report as their ‘person of trust’.

Cooperating with the police and national authorities is also a way for civil society organisations to hold them accountable for combating hate crimes and fulfilling their obligations to protect and promote the fundamental rights of LGBTI people.

Do you want to start a fundraising campaign for your LGBTI organisation but are unsure of where to begin? We got you. In today’s blog we bring you the main learnings from our latest Skills Boost session, case studies and examples of the work done by participants.

All around the world LGBTI organisations face a lack of resources, particularly funding that can be used for flexible needs. One of the ways to tackle this issue is for activists to start or boost their own fundraising campaigns.

Our latest LGBTI activism Skills Boost session looked at how to create effective fundraising campaigns targeted at individual donors, exploring some good practices and examples. Here’s what our participants learned.

Getting started

One of the most common questions we received from activists is around how to get started: what are the first steps to take if you’ve never done individual donor fundraising before? ILGA-Europe’s fundraising guide for LGBTI activists, It Shows That People Care, provides a practical list of elementary steps.

First, to map your network of potential donors, ask yourself who you know. List categories like past event guests, mailing list subscribers, followers on social media, Pride‑goers, friends and family of staff members, contacts of board members, friendly journalists and politicians, and so on.

Secondly, map your resources. Getting started with fundraising will require some investment, at least time and effort. List the resources, not only money, that you have to work with. Do you have access to a free venue, the support of an artist or performer, contacts at a private sector company, a volunteer with graphic design skills?

And thirdly, work out your elevator pitch. To inspire anyone to donate, practise describing in a concise and simple way why you need money: what is the problem your community faces and how can donors be part of the solution? Make it understandable for people outside of LGBTI activism. Think about how you’d explain your need to your grandmother or a random neighbour.

The power of story

People want to help other people. This is why people respond more strongly to stories than statistics. When asking for money, try to avoid being too abstract. Don’t only describe the issue, but show how it effects real people in your community and how lives can be improved through the support of donors. Tell your story through a character with whom your audience can empathise.

In a well-known study on the impact of story-telling in fundraising involving Save the Children, people who were given the story of one seven-year-old girl and her family facing hunger donated on average double compared to those who were given factual information about food shortages affecting three million people. The fact that people would more likely support one person than three million people shows that people are more likely to support when they can identify with and empathise with another person.

But how can we tell our stories in the LGBTI movement?

In the Skills Boost we looked at some great examples of how LGBTI activists have told their fundraising stories. Last year Prague Pride, raising money to continue a community centre, shared stories of people from the local LGBTI community and what the centre means to them. For example, the story of 17-year-old Adam, who couldn’t be open about his trans identity at home or at school, and for whom the centre was the first safe haven where he felt acceptance. This is also an example of sharing a real story in an anonymised way, which is something you might have to do, so as not to put community members at risk.

Another success story is that of Transgender Network Switzerland (TNS). In December 2021, TNS launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for an important court case for legal recognition of non-binary people. The fundraising campaign, rather than focusing on too much legal jargon, featured community members sharing what legal recognition would mean for them, like Miyako, who explained that having the correct gender marker in their documents would have a positive impact on their mental health and make them feel more protected.

Press emotional buttons

Creating a fundraising message is not an easy task. Not only do you want people to stop and take in your message, you want them to be inspired to take the action of donating. People give from the heart, not the head. Empathy, solidarity, joy, outrage or fear are some of the feelings that make people tap on that donate button. You want people to think: “that’s terrible! How can I help?” or “I want to make sure others like me get the help they need” or “I want to be part of this positive change”.

However, in order to do fundraising ethically, we must not victimise people in our communities or sensationalise their circumstances (these are particularly relevant considerations in crisis situations). Be mindful that the stories you tell are ultimately empowering ones. In the Skills Boost we took some inspiration of how LGBTI-themed TV commercials aim to change hearts and minds by pressing emotional triggers, whether through powerful stories, humour or empowering queer joy.

Think about who your audience is – local community members, parents of LGBTI people, diaspora communities, LGBTI communities in other countries – and what story or emotion would move them.

Clear and direct ask

If you have a powerful story to tell packed with an emotional punch, but don’t actually ask for money, you’ll have created a lost opportunity. Don’t forget, or be shy, to include a clear call to action. Supporters want to feel needed and that they are making a difference, so show them how they can be a key part of improving lives for LGBTI people however you are going about doing that.

Testing our messages

Skills Boost participants had the opportunity to receive feedback on fundraising posts they had created for social media. Overcoming Together group from Russia created an Instagram post inviting followers to support by making a purchase in their online store. The post featured cute and appealing graphics of the items available to buy, and explained clearly how support goes towards their work helping helping community members experiencing intimate partner and domestic violence. Queer Svit created social media posts as part of their crowdfunding campaign to help queer and BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic) people in Ukraine get to safety. They used eye-catching graphics, testimonials from people the group has already helped, and compelling figures of how many others could be helped with the campaign’s target amount.

There are often fears around individual donor fundraising, and asking for money can seem like a big step. One of the biggest take-aways from the Skills Boost session was to simply go ahead and give it a try. Finding out what works and what doesn’t is often a process of trial and error, and even if you don’t see big results immediately the steps you take to get started will strengthen your organisation and plant seeds for future fundraising success.

If you didn’t catch the Skills Boost live, you can watch the recording here. You can also have a look at how to make great videos at home, graphics with free tools, and building media relations if you didn’t have the chance to attend previous Skills Boost sessions. Remember that if you are an LGBTI activist in Europe and Central Asia, you can join our private communications support group on Facebook where you can vote for the theme of the next Skills Boost session. And, if you haven’t joined The Hub, ILGA-Europe’s free resource centre yet, do it now! There are plenty of great, practical fundraising resources available there at the click of a button!

Despite a rise in anti-LGBTI hate speech and violence across Europe, in our recent Annual Review, we have conversely seen a rise in acceptance of LGBTI people in many countries, including places where politicians and public representatives are known for their anti-LGBTI views. In this blog, we bring you the figures that show positive development on public opinion since 2020.

Despite a growing prevalence of anti-LGBTI hate speech from public representatives, and a subsequent rise in the severity of attacks against people perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex, public opinion is actually shifting for the better in Europe. With very few figures showing regression, the following data reveals that official hate speech against LGBTI people does usually not reflect or stream from public attitudes.

We’ve compared the evolution of public opinion between 2020 to 2023 through our Annual Reviews. The ILGA-Europe  Annual Review is one of the most complete reports on the main social and legal events and developments impacting the lives of LGBTI people in 54 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Here we bring you a snapshot of the key figures so that they don’t get lost in a sea of information, but you can find more detail and context in our reports, as well as the original sources of the data in the links.

Keep reading to find out the research and figures that illustrate positive developments in public attitudes to LGBTI people in your country.

BULGARIA

2021: 40% of voters would support a party with a positive attitude towards LGBTI people.

2020: 32% of Bulgarians accept LGBT people, showing regression compared to previous years.

CZECHIA

2021: 65 % of the population supports marriage equality.

2020: 60% of the public supports marriage equality, confirming 2019 results.

ESTONIA

2021: 53% of residents in Estonia consider same-sex attraction acceptable, rising by 12% compared with 2019. 64% thought that same-sex partners should have the opportunity to officially register their partnership according to the Registered Partnership Act and 47% supported marriage equality.

2020: 46% of Estonians support marriage equality. While 27% would vote against it, 21% would not even go vote.

FRANCE

2022: Two-thirds of citizens believe the government should do more for LGBT equality, that children should be taught about SOGI issues, and that LGBT children who are rejected at home should have state support.

GERMANY

2022: 81% agree with marriage equality. 75% would have little or no problem with their child being LGB, but this rate is much lower, in the case of having a trans child, 66%.

GEORGIA

2022: Social acceptance of LGBTIQ people is slowly increasing.

HUNGARY

2022: Most Hungarians do not consider ‘homosexual propaganda’ an important issue.

2021: 59% of Hungarians thought same-sex couples should have the same right to adoption as others, and 60% thought same-sex couples were just as suitable to be parents as heterosexual couples. Another survey found that public support for LGBT people had never been stronger in Hungary.

2020: After MEP József Szájer’s resignation, Medián found that 79% of respondents thought “homosexual” politicians should not be discriminated against.

IRELAND

2022: High rates of acceptance towards LGBTQI people, with cisgender gay men being the most (89%) and non-binary people being the least (65%) accepted.

LATVIA

2022: 49% had a neutral stance towards ‘homosexual’ people, 25% were accepting, and 23% condemned ‘homosexuality’. A third of the respondents said they did not know an LGBT person.

2020: 38% of Latvians had negative attitudes towards LGB people, 48% were neutral, and only 9% were supportive. Nonetheless, 63% supported the adoption of legislation to protect families without marriage in place.

LITHUANIA

2021: One third of Lithuanians support legal gender recognition for same-sex couples.

MOLDOVA

2022: 55% of Chisinau residents have a positive or neutral attitude towards LGBTQ+ people, compared to 33% just three years earlier. The rate of those being strongly against LGBTQ+ people also significantly decreased.

2020: GENDERDOC-M conducted a survey with 815 people in Chisinau about their attitudes towards LGBTI people, finding that half either supported or had a neutral stance towards LGBT people. This is a much more positive picture of the capital, than what the government has been claiming previously, saying that 98% of Moldovans were against LGBT people.

MONTENEGRO

2022: Public acceptance of LGBT people is improving, but due to radicalisation, progress is extremely slow.

2021: 70% of the population believes that being LGBT is a disease, but over two-thirds would report anti- LGBTI violence to the police.

NETHERLANDS

2022: For the first time in many years, there was stagnation instead of an increase in the number of Dutch people who have a positive opinion of LGB people. One in six people think there is “something wrong” with people who do not identify as either a man or a woman.

2021: The government presented the first ever research on intersex people’s societal acceptance, finding that 67% of the population does not know what exactly intersex is, and that knowledge about intersex increases acceptance. Another survey found growing public awareness about non-binary people.

NORWAY

2022: Public attitudes towards LGBT people continued to improve, but less so for trans and bisexual people. For instance, 51% support trans people (2013: 36%), 66% support lesbians (2008: 47%), and 85% support cohabiting same-gender couples (2008: 70).

RUSSIA

2022: A study showed that between 2015 and 2022, the rate of those who know LGBT people in their environment doubled from 8 to 15%.

2020: Public attitudes towards LGBT people have softened, with more people being undecided, and fewer being in favour or isolating or “eliminating” LGBT people.

POLAND

2022: Two-thirds of the population support marriage equality or civil partnership. 60% believe Poland should abolish so-called ‘LGBT-free zones’ in order to meet EU requirements to receive funding.

2021: 56% of Poles would support at least civil partnership for same-sex couples.

SERBIA

2021: Despite only 0.01% of Serbians knowing they have a trans friend or family member, 60% thought that trans people should be protected from discrimination and 64% thought that trans people should have access to gender-affirming surgeries.

SWEDEN

2022: Three out of four support trans minors in getting the care they need.

2021: Swedes have a relatively high degree of knowledge about trans people and an overwhelmingly positive in their attitude towards them, but perceive anti-trans prejudice as common.

SWITZERLAND

2021: 53% of the Swiss population are (rather) in favour of introducing non-binary gender markers on official documents.

TURKEY

2020: Acceptance of LGBTI people was at a record high, with almost 50% of the population supporting LGBTI equality – 9% higher than in 2019.

UKRAINE

2022: Public attitudes towards LGBT people had increased significantly over the past few years, including in terms of family recognition (see here), equal rights in general (see here), and the prohibition of discrimination and hate speech targeting LGBT people (see here). One study found that the number of people with a positive attitude towards LGBT people had quadrupled since 2016.

UNITED KINGDOM

2022: A study highlighted that the hostile political discourse against trans people is not in sync with public attitudes in the country. Most agreed with a ‘live and let live’ approach, wanted schools to be safe and inclusive and talk about trans issues, and agreed that trans women were women and trans men were men. Respondents were more divided on bathroom access and sports.

2020: 72% of respondents to the Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey reported that they were not prejudiced at all against trans individuals, and over half of respondents supported and were comfortable with trans people accessing gendered toilets, domestic/sexual violence refugees, and LGR, based on their identity.