Rainbow Digest October 2022
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 325. October 2022. InΒ this issue… ILGA-Europe
Equality and non-discrimination
Family Hate crime
Legal gender recognition
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ILGA-Europe |
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Annual Conference 2022 took place in Sofia between 19β22 OctoberAfter three years of not being able to gather in person, ILGA-Europeβs Annual Conference took place in the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia between 19-22 October. Around 350 people from around the world came together to connect and reconnect, to reflect, realign and identify ways to move our collective work forward as a European and Central Asian LGBTI movement. This yearβs conference will be built under the βShaping the World to Comeβ theme with two cornerstones: βBuilding alliances in shifting contextsβ and βCollective resilience in the movementβ.
Read more on our daily reports from the Conference. Β
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New funding program for data-collection on violence in Europe and Central AsiaILGA-Europe launched an opportunity for funding to collect and document data on cases of violence against the LGBTI communities in Europe and Central Asia. We will support proposals focusing on collecting evidence that provides advocacy insights on the situations around institutionalised violence as well as tackling lack of support to the victims of domestic violence based on their SOGIESC.
Read more and apply before 15 November. Β
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Ljubljana to be the location for our Annual Conference in 2023ILGA-Europe announced that the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, in the heart of Central Europe, has been chosen as the location for our Annual Conference in 2023. Weβre looking forward to beginning our work with LGBTI host organisations in Ljubljana to organise the 25th ILGA-Europe Annual Conference, and weβll be announcing the exact dates as soon as they are tied down.
Read more. |
Equality and non-discrimination |
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ECRIβs new monitoring report on BulgariaOn 4 October, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published reports on their monitoring of Bulgaria, giving clear recommendations on LGBTI issues, including on hate speech and monitoring school bullying. The report indicates that in spite of ECRIβs recommendation in its latest report, βthe authorities have not carried out any study or research into the situation of LGBTI people and did not develop legislation on gender reassignment and gender recognition as recommended by ECRIβ. ILGA-Europe is βconcerned with the government response, and call on governments to engage in monitoring exercises in good faithβ.
Read more. Β
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PACE calls to end discrimination against women in sportsOn 13 October, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a new resolution on ending discrimination against women in the world of sport. The resolution calls to end discrimination against women in sports and includes explicitly LBTI womenβs needs. The Assembly condemns the hate speech and sexism directed at female athletes, including LBTI athletes and calls for efforts to promote access to sport for all women and notes that discrimination against LBTI women has a negative impact on women in general.
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European Coalition on Sex Workersβ Rights and Inclusion was launchedOn 13 October, on the occasion of European Sex Workersβ Rights Allianceβs first Congress, 15 organisations have come together to announce the launch of the European Coalition on Sex Workersβ Rights and Inclusion. These leading civil society networks and human rights organisations have come to the same conclusion: criminalisation is not the solution. It is only by adopting a human rights approach, decriminalising sex work, and meaningfully including sex workers and sex worker rights defenders in decision-making that sex workers can be protected.
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New campaign: βWhat about intersex seniors?βOn 26 October Intersex Awareness Day, OII Europe launched a new campaign on the situation of intersex seniors. Older intersex people face very specific challenges and needs, and while there is still very little knowledge and research available on this particular topic, OII Europeβs campaign wants to highlight some of the few existing findings on senior intersex folks, as well as creating a platform for community-based knowledge. (Illustration: OII Europe)
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Family |
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Slovenian National Assembly voted for marriage equality and adoptionOn 4 October, The National Assembly in Slovenia signed same-sex marriage and adoption into law by passing changes to the family code. The changes define marriage as a union of two persons and allow same-sex partners to adopt children under the same conditions as those that apply to all married couples. Drafted by the government, the bill was passed two months after the Constitutional Court announced a landmark ruling deeming discriminatory the definition of marriage as a union of a man and a woman, and the inability of same-sex partners to adopt.
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Hate crime |
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Attack outside an LGBTI bar in Bratislava took two peopleβs livesOn 12 October, two young LGBTI people were killed outside an LGBTI bar in Bratislava. In their statement, LGBTI group IniciatΓva InakosΕ₯ said βThe fact that the murder has chosen LGBTI people as target is the result of a long and systematic campaign against LGBTI people by state officials, churches and extremist groupsβ. Two days after the attack, the LGBTI organisations organised a vigil to commemorate Matus and Juraj who were cut down in the prime of their lives. Estimated 20.000 people attended the vigil. (Photo by Pride Bratislava)
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CoE event on combating SOGIESC-based hate crime took place in DublinOn 27 October, the Irish Ministry for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Irish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Council of Europe SOGI Unit, with the support of the United Kingdom Government Equalities Office, co-organised a roundtable on βRight to life, security and protection from violence: combating SOGIESC-based hate crime across Europe.β Findings and outcomes from the discussions at the roundtable will be reflected in the report of the annual thematic review of Council of Europe Recommendation on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, which will be presented to the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI) for adoption in 2023. |
Legal gender recognition |
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Scottish Parliament voted for the bill on LGROn 27 October, the Members of the Scottish Parliament voted in favour for the reform of the Gender Recognition Act with 88 voting in favour and 33 against. The bill foresees to make the process by which trans people can update the sex on their birth certificate simpler and fairer. The bill now moves to Stage 2 and continues its legislative process.
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Depathologisation was at the centre of the EP hearing for the first timeOn 27 October, the European Parliament organised a hearing to discuss how the question of the legal status of trans persons can be taken out of the medical field. MEPs from the Committees on Civil Liberties and Public Health discussed the pivotal role of health professionals can have in ensuring that trans and non-binary persons are not stigmatised and discriminated against in the medical sector, and that they are able to fulfil their right to health by ensuring their access to quality health care. |
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ITF has new grant cycle for trans-led organisationsThe International Trans Fund (ITF) announced their 7th grant cycle for applications from trans-led organisations with budgets below $100,000 USD based in any region of the world. The ITF has two grant types: the SEED grant which is a 1-year general support and/or project grant for trans-led organisations that have never been funded by the ITF and the THRIVE grant which is a 1-year general support grant only for trans-led organisations that have been previously funded by the ITF.
Read more and apply before 12 December. |
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Take part in the survey on lesbophobiaThe EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community β EL*C is conducting research on the cases of lesbophobia from Europe and Central Asia. You can share information about cases of lesbophobic violence that have happened in your country in the past years. You can use whatever data you have available (even from your personal experience).
Read more and fill out the form. |
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The European Institute for Gender Equality has open vacanciesThe European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has published several vacancies, including a traineeship and an expert on gender mainstreaming. The traineeship opportunity on Knowledge Management & Communications lasts six months for graduates who are either nationals of an EU Member State or an EFTA country or an IPA qualifying country. EIGE also invites applications with a view to establishing a reserve list for the post of Seconded National Expertβ Gender Mainstreaming who will support the Institute’s activities in developing and applying various methods, tools and technical assistance for the integration of a gender perspective in different policy areas at various levels of the EU.
Read more and apply for the positions. |
Rainbow Digest: September 2022
ILGA-Europe |
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New call for applications: βLGBTI Communications: Learning Journey GrantsβWe have opened a new call for applications to support LGBTI organisations in Europe and Central Asia in strengthening their own communication capacities. The aim of this call is to support organisations that do work on communications with no, or limited resources or capacities, and those that work with/serve underrepresented communities.
Read more and apply before October 30. Β
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New briefing on lesbians launchedOn 29 September, ILGA-Europe launched a brand-new briefing as part of our Intersections series, which will be released over the coming months, taking a deeper look at the FRA 2019 LGBTI Survey II data and zooming in on specific groups within the LGBTI community. The first report, developed in collaboration with the EuroCentralAsian Lesbian Community (EL*C), focuses on lesbians, and looks into the experiences of lesbians with disabilities, lesbians from ethnic minorities, trans lesbians, intersex lesbians, and more.
Read more and download your own copy of the report. Β
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New guidelines to equip journalists covering LGBTI issuesWhen media reports about LGBTI communities, certain challenges become apparent. While there are many stories about LGBTI people and the things that may shape their lives, there are risks in labelling LGBTI people as βotherβ and presenting what happens to them as isolated events, detached from the bigger picture. What happens to LGBTI people impacts our societies at large and showcases the good or bad health of our democratic systems. This is why ILGA-Europe have developed the Guidelines for Journalists, with βdoβs and donβtsβ on how to cover LGBTI-related news and how to approach and talk about LGBTI people and activists.
Read more and download your own copy of the guidelines. Β
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We are looking for Turkish<>English translators and interpretersILGA-Europe has launched tender for Turkish<>English translators and interpreters with the intention to create a database of Turkish-English translators and interpreters. Due to the increase in the volume of work to be made available to Turkish-speakers, ILGA-Europe wants to create a pool of translators and interpreters to work with up until 2025. Translators and interpreters whose applications are selected in this tendering process will be added to the database and contacted when needs for translation/interpretation emerge.
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Asylum |
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βMalta should ensure LGBTIQ+ refugees receive adequate international protectionβOn the occasion of Malta Pride 2022 and in the run up to EuroPride Valletta 2023, aditus foundation launched the #Safe4All Legal Initiative, seeking to amend Maltaβs asylum legislation to stop describing countries that criminalise SOGIESC identities as βsafeβ. If adopted, the Bill will allow persons fleeing violence and persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity to present their claims in a more effective manner, thereby reducing the risks of sending them to unsafe countries.
Read more about the initiative. |
Data collection |
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Make your voice heard with the EC consultation on intersex persons and their parentsThe European Commission (EC) has launched an online consultation to understand the socio-economic position of intersex people in society and the correlation between inclusive legislative, medical, and other policy measures relating to intersex people and their wellbeing. The EC aims to explore experiences of growing up, the healthcare system, education, employment, and later life, among other areas. If you are interested in taking part, you can speak to the research team in an interview (conducted over the phone or on Microsoft Teams) or via a complementary online consultation. You can participate in the research in English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, or Bulgarian and the consultation is open until the end of November. |
Employment |
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Sexual orientation is not a reason to terminate a contract with a self-employed workerOn 8 September, the Advocate General Of the CJEU issued an opinion in the case of J.K. vs the Polish public broadcaster company TP, stating that discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment is not acceptable under EU law. In 2017, the Applicant and his partner released a video on their YouTube Channel, where they appeared among other members of the LGBTIQ+ community. Two days after the video was posted, the Applicant received an e-mail from his immediate supervisor cancelling his scheduled shifts.
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Enlargement |
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New podcast series on EU enlargement process and what it means for LGBTI activistsOn 30 September, ILGA-Europe launched two episodes of a podcast series looking at the new wave of accession to the EU and what it will mean for LGBTI people. In this two-part episode of The Frontline podcast, presented by Belinda Dear, ILGA-Europeβs Advocacy Officer, weβre joined by former member of European Parliament, Marije Cornelissen, Lenny Emson from Kyiv Pride in Ukraine, Anastasia Danilova from GENDERDOC-M in Moldova, Danijel KaleziΔ, Co-director of ERA, and Katrin Hugendubel, ILGA-Europeβs Advocacy Director.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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Bi Visibility Day 2022: Discrimination and bi people at the intersectionsOn 23 September the Bi Visibility Day, ILGA-Europe published a blog post about their findings of analyses of the FRA LGBTI Survey data on bi people. Bi people, particularly those with intersecting identities, experience discrimination in large numbers. The survey shows that while 19.22% of bi respondents experienced discrimination at work, this figure is over double for trans bi people of an ethnic minority, including migrant background, at 42.98%. The same goes for 27.32% of bi people with disabilities, 34.43% of trans bi people, 31.12% of non-binary bi people, and 25.62% of intersex bi people.
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New reports from ECRI on Greece and FranceOn 21 and 22 September, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published reports on their monitoring of Greece and France. In both cases, ECRI calls for clear interventions to tackle LGBTI-phobic violence, bullying in schools, and police mistreatment, and points to the need for intersex-specific protections. About France, ECRI considers that all those who work in or are involved in schools should be made aware of and receive training on human rights, tolerance and respect for diversity, including on LGBTI issues. According to the report on Greece, βdespite the national LGBTI equality plan, LGBTI pupils continue to face intolerant and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours in school, including from teachers.β
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Freedom of assembly |
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EuroPride went ahead in Belgrade despite ban and obstructionsOn 17 September, EuroPride took place in Belgrade despite political and administrative obstruction. Several days before the Pride march, on 13 September, the Serbian police announced a ban on the route for the parade, which had already been agreed between the organisers of Pride and the Serbian authorities. Eventually Serbian authorities allowed the march to go ahead on condition of a shorter route. The Pride attracted more than 10.000 supporters and was mostly peaceful, however a number of activists were attacked on their way back from the march. (Photo by Koen Slootmaeckers) |
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Pride took the streets of Kharkiv in UkraineKharkivPride went ahead from 17-25 September as Ukraine regained control of the Kharkiv region and as Russian air strikes continued. The programme of the Pride included many events around the city, including a Metro Pride. On 25 September, the Pride attendees rode the Kharkiv metro and drove through all three lines of the Kharkiv metro, visited 10 stations and made 2 transitions. Two days before the Metro Pride, a car decorated with rainbow wedding attributes drove through Kharkiv in demand of marriage equality in Ukraine. (Photo by Kharkiv Pride)
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Hate speech |
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Anti-LGBTI march organised in IstanbulOn 18 September, an anti-LGBTI group held a demonstration and marched in Istanbul, demanding a ban on all LGBTI-related activities. Prior to the event, the organisers stirred hate against LGBTI people through a video promoting the demonstration which was aired as an advertisement on state TV and collected signatures to demand Turkey adopt a new law that would ban what they called βLGBTI propagandaβ. ILGA-Europe called on βall political parties to condemn the march, and on Turkish authorities to ensure full protection for the LGBTI communityβ.
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Health |
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Malta lifted ban on blood donationsOn 2 September, the Ministry of Health announced to lift the one year deferral period for men who have sex with men to donate blood. The new medical questionnaire for blood donation doesnβt have any discriminatory question regarding donorβs sexual orientation and the criteria are the same for everyone.
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Monkeypox: Why global equity must be central to contain the spread and how it can be achievedOver 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the EU since the start of the outbreak in the region in May. Humanitarian organisations, governments and institutions must join forces and put equity at the centre of their thinking so treatments and prevention measures are available for all. ILGA-Europe shared a blog post about what institutions and governments can do in the fight against monkeypox.
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Join IGLYOβs webinar on monkeypox stigma reductionOn 6 October, IGLYO β The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation is organising an interactive online dialogue on monkeypox and the stigma that often comes with diseases capable of sexual transmission. The webinar will explore the most up to date information on monkeypox and host a representative of European Sex Workers Alliance (ESWA)β on the unique experience of sex workers.
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Legal gender recognition |
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New trans law in Finland has been submitted to the ParliamentOn 22 September, the government of Finland finalised their draft bill on new trans law and submitted it to the Parliament for discussions. The draft law foresees the process of legal gender recognition based on self-determination but only for adults. SETA said βSeta considers it very important that the law can be reformed for the most part now, but that the remaining shortcomings can be corrected in the next few years. The biggest shortcoming of the proposal is the categorical exclusion of minors from the reform and it is not in line with the rights of the childβ.
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ECOM seeks consultants to assess gender barriers for transgender women in receiving HIV servicesECOM, the Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity is looking for national informants for a study assessing gender barriers for transgender women in receiving HIV services. ECOM, together with the Eurasian Women’s AIDS Network, is preparing to conduct an assessment to identify gender barriers in accessing HIV services in 15 project countries, which include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Read more and apply before 5 October. |
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Equal Rights in Action Fund launched a call for nominationsThe National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)βs funding programme Equal Rights in Action Fund (ERA) has launched a new call for nominations for the 5th round of grants for LGBTQI+ organisations. The first step to accessing a grant from the ERA Fund is a nomination from a local embassy representing a country that participates in the Global Equality Fund. These countries include only Hungary, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey from the Europe and Eurasia region.
Read more and apply by 4 October. |
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ITF is seeking activists to be members of its Grant Making PanelThe International Trans Fund (ITF) is seeking applications from activists to be members of its Grant Making Panel (GMP). The role of the GMP is to review grant proposals submitted to the ITF and make decisions on these grant applications in line with ITFβs priorities and principles. The Board will select eight activists to serve as GMP members and ensure diversity across regions, gender identities and expressions, and representation from further marginalised groups within trans communities.
Read more and apply before 10 October. |
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Application is open for the abortion stigma-busting community groupsThe International Network for the Reduction of Abortion Discrimination and Stigma (INROADS) has opened their application window for the Seed Grants to support the healing, well-being, and community care needs of groups to sustain their abortion work and innovative stigma reduction projects that can nourish the abortion stigma-busting community. The Seed Grants are aimed at reproductive justice grassroots groups worldwide who are usually excluded from funding resources and face multiple injustices.
Read more and apply before 16 October. |
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ENAR is looking for two new colleagues to join its teamThe European Network Against Racism (ENAR) has open positions for a Budget & Finance Officer and a Network Communications Associate. Budget & Finance Officer will be tasked with overseeing and monitoring the overall organisational budget as well as specific project budgets, establishing and reporting on projections and financial applications to the organisationβs leadership. Network Communications Associate will be responsible for supporting the execution of the communications portfolio and related programmes.
Read more and apply by 9 October. |
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Astraea is seeking a Vice President of Operations and a Vice President of Strategic EngagementThe Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice has two vacancies for the positions of a Vice President of Operations and a Vice President of Strategic Engagement. The Vice President of Operations is tasked with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic and transformative initiatives for Astraea. The Vice President of Strategic Engagement is tasked with informing donors, institutional partners and the general public about how Astraea is achieving its impact as a feminist fund.
Read more and send your applications. |
Rainbow Digest August 2022
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 323. August 2022. InΒ this issue… ILGA-Europe
Data collection Freedom of assembly Hate crime
Health
Legal gender recognition Notice board |
ILGA-Europe |
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Join our webinar on volunteer engagementOn 22 September between 11.00 β 12.30 CEST, ILGA-Europe will organise a webinar to discuss different approaches of LGBTI organisations in working with volunteers. The webinar will reflect on why engaging volunteers is important and often times even necessary as part of a strategic community organising work. Participants will share their experiences of engaging volunteers in LGBTI movement.
Read more and register. Β
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Take part in our next Skills Boost on media relations for LGBTI activistsThe next of our popular Skills Boost sessions for LGBTI activists will take place on 14 September (12:00-13:30 CET), giving you practical advice on how to make the most of media opportunities as an LGBTI activist, without getting overwhelmed. This will be an interactive Skills Boost structured around a βtypical dayβ for ILGA-Europeβs Media Officer. At the end of this session you will be given resources and a small assignment and you will get personalised advice and group feedback on your assignment.
Read more and register. Β
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Theme for the ILGA-Europe 2022 Conference announcedAs ILGA-Europe gears up in the organisation of our annual conference, which takes place in Sofia this October, the theme βShaping the world to comeβ has been announced. This has been identified by the staff and board of ILGA-Europe at a moment in history when change is taking place on so many diverse levels, and when the LGBTI movement needs to clarify its power and position in the evolving world.
Read more about our conference. Β
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Weβre looking for two new colleagues who will join our Programmes teamWeβre looking for two new colleagues who will join our Programmes team to work on supporting and strengthening LGBTI movement in Europe and Central Asia. Are you a skilled project coordinator and facilitator who will enjoy working hand-in-hand with LGBTI groups to support their work? Take a look at the Programmes Officer vacancy, open until 19 September. Are you a movement support champion who is equally good at strategic thinking and planning and at carrying out programmes? Take a look at the Senior Programmes Officer vacancy, open until 12 September.
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Apply for the consultancy to conduct an inventory of SOGIESC case-lawSince 2010 ILGA-Europe has been conducting an annual inventory of SOGIESC case-law as part of its strategic litigation work. In order to focus our strategic litigation efforts across Europe to fully protect and advance LGBTI rights, with this inventory ILGA-Europe wants to support members and partners across the region to identify trends and gaps in protection at the European level, which can commonly be tackled through litigation. We are currently looking for a consultant to continue this process.
Read more and apply before 4 September. |
Data collection |
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Join the first-ever global survey on perceptions of human rights from the LGBTQI communityThe Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers, a research team based at Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania, USA, partnering with the Council for Global Equality, launched the LGBTQI Perception Index, which is the first global survey on perceptions of human rights from the LGBTQI community itself. The survey is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
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Freedom of assembly |
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President VuΔiΔ of Serbia announces the cancellation of EuroPride 2022On 27 August, President Aleksandar VuΔiΔ of Serbia announced that the EuroPride 2022 taking place in Belgrade between 12-18 September would be cancelled. ILGA-Europe strongly condemned it and reminded the President’s commitments under the European Convention of Human Rights, especially with respect to ensuring the effective enjoyment of right to freedom of assembly and expression.
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Hate crime |
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The killer of LGBTI activist in Azerbaijan was sentenced to nine yearsOn 29 July, the Azeri LGBTQ+ activist and journalist Avaz Hafizliβs killer Amrulla Gulaliyev was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison by Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Local LGBTI activists in Azerbaijan believe the murder was motivated by homophobic bias and to protect the βhonourβ of the family. It is unclear to civil society whether the courtβs decision will be appealed, as there is no contact with Avazβ mother, who is his legal representative in this case.
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LGBTI activist in North Macedonia attacked for the second time this yearOn 9 August, LGBTI activist Bekim Asani was physically attacked for the second time this year during an event in North Macedonia. Despite asking for police protection for the event, it was not provided. When reporting the incident to police, Asani was discriminated against by one of the police officers. Due to the slow police follow-up, two other LGBTI activists were attacked by the same assailant the following day. This series of attacks brutally demonstrates how systemic inaction of the police leads to further violence. ILGA-Europe call on all relevant authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice and ensure proper protection for LGBTI events when requested.
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Massive rise in anti-LGBTQ hate crime reports in UKOn 15 August, VICE World News revealed that the number of homophobic hate crime reports in the UK has doubled and the number of transphobic hate crime reports has tripled over the last five years. The new data shows police received 26,824 reports of hate crimes based on sexual orientation in 2021-22, compared to 10,003 in 2016-17 β a 168 percent increase. The most recent reporting year also saw a 32 percent increase compared to the previous year, which is the biggest yearly rise ever recorded. For reports of transphobic hate crimes, there were 1,292 reports recorded in 2016-17 and 4,399 in 2021-22. There was a 59 percent increase compared to 2020-21 β which is also the largest increase ever recorded.
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Health |
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What does the monkeypox outbreak mean for people living with HIV and key populations?On 6 September, Global Network on People Living with HIV, Prevention Access Campaign, MPact, and Global Black Gay Men Connect are organising a webinar hosting global leaders and scientists to discuss what the monkeypox outbreak mean for people living with HIV and key populations. The event will provide update on the global response from WHO, UNAIDS, PEPFAR and USG, review the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the virus and discuss strategies to mitigate stigma and discrimination.
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HIV self-test company looking to connect with NGOsThe Simplitudeβ’ ByMeβ’ is looking for NGOs to connect about their product which is the worldβs first all-in-one HIV self-test designed to make testing easier. Self-testing offers a quick and reliable solution to screen on HIV infection. The Simplitudeβ’ ByMeβ’ has an accuracy of 99.6% and a specificity of 99.6%, similar or better than laboratory testing. The product is WHO Pre-qualified, CE approved and has a multi-language packing. The test is both suitable for testing at home and at HIV check points.
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European countries fighting against βconversion therapiesβFrance and Malta are the two single countries in Europe that have fully banned so-called βconversion therapiesβ, but they are not alone in taking active steps against this harmful practice, which aims to change LGBTI peopleβs sexual orientation or gender identity. The Danish government continued with its banning plans, a citizens initiative in Finland was on its way to parliament, while in Ireland civil society set up an Anti-Conversion Therapy Coalition.
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Legal gender recognition |
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Sweden proposes new law on legal gender recognitionOn 29 July, the Swedish government submitted a proposal for a new law for legal gender recognition (LGR) to the Legislative Council. RFSL and RFSL Ungdom welcome that the government is finally acting but are critical of several parts of the bill. The proposal means that it will be easier to access LGR, but a medical examination of the gender identity by a licensed doctor or psychologist will still be required, which means the law is not based on self-determination.
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Notice board |
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Registrations open for the OII Europe Community Event and Public ConferenceOII Europe calls for participants for their Online Community Event and Public Conference, taking place online on 30 September and 1 October. The Public Conference is open for everybody, while The Community Event is organised for intersex people and their families, loved ones and support persons. The theme of this yearβs event is βStaying Safe in Troubling Timesβ.
Read more and register before 15 September. |
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IGLYO accepts registrations for their Annual Members’ ConferenceIGLYO will gather with representatives of their member organisations in Brussels, Belgium, on 13-17 October for an in-person IGLYO Annual Members’ Conference (AMC). Only representatives of IGLYO Member Organisations can register for the IGLYO AMC. The agenda will include networking, taking part in workshops, learning about the organisation’s current structure and activities, casting your vote on statutory issues, and more.
Read more and register before 9 September. |
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Applications continue for the online learning labs on artistic activismThe Center for Artistic Activism is organising the Learning Labs – a six-week remote training programme connecting, strategising, brainstorming and being inspired to take activism to the next level. The next training course will take place between 26 October and 30 November.
Read more and apply before 16 October. |
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Digital Defenders Partnership seeks a consultantThe Digital Defenders Partnership, a programme hosted by Hivos, seeks a consultant to support their grants and networking work in the Eastern Europe Central Asia Region. It is a remote position for 6 months with the possibility to extend until the end of 2023.
Read more and apply by 11 September. |
Rainbow Digest July 2022
ILGA-Europe |
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We are hiring a new Grants and Finance OfficerAre you interested in making and managing grants, and supporting LGBTI groups in Europe and Central Asia in building financial management skills? We are hiring for a position of a Grants and Finance Officer. This role merges financial operations and expense verification tasks with capacity building and administration. Remuneration starts from 51 459β¬ to 57 397β¬ per year, gross. We also provide a great set of benefits (incl. many aiming at supporting staff who face intersectional exclusions), and manage the work permit process for non-EU citizens.
Read more and apply before 31 August. Read more about working at ILGA-Europe. Β
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We are looking for a consultant to conduct an inventory of SOGIESC case-lawSince 2010 ILGA-Europe has been conducting an annual inventory of SOGIESC case-law as part of its strategic litigation work. In order to focus our strategic litigation efforts across Europe to fully protect and advance LGBTI rights, with this inventory ILGA-Europe wants to support members and partners across the region to identify trends and gaps in protection at the European level, which can commonly be tackled through litigation. We are currently looking for a consultant to continue this process.
Read more and apply before 4 September.
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Bodily integrity
| Greece bans intersex medical interventions on intersex childrenOn 19 July, surgical and other medical interventions, which until now have been carried out on intersex infants and children, often secretly and without consent, to make their sex characteristics βconformβ with βtypicalβ male or female anatomy have been legally banned in Greece. Although this law may not solve all the rights violations experienced by intersex people in Greece, it is an excellent start as it emphatically affirms that intersex rights are human rights. ILGA-Europe encourage the Greek government to complete the process towards full protection.
Read more on Intersex Greeceβs press release.
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EU Enlargement
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EU Parliament takes stock of developments in the Western BalkansOn 6 July, the European Parliament outlined its assessment of the political situation in three accession countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. The report on Montenegro includes calling for full implementation of the registered partnership law, the drafting of an LGR law based on self-determination and ensuring trans people’s access to hormones. The report on Bosnia and Herzegovina includes calling on the government to draft a law on same-sex partnership, for the adoption of the stalled LGBTI Action Plan and for SOGISC to be added as protected grounds to the criminal code. The report on Serbia calls for the adoption of the draft law on same-sex partnerships, action to combat harassment, propaganda and hatred against LGBTI people, including proper investigation & conviction of hate crimes.
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Albania and North Macedonia open accession negotiations with the EUOn 19 July, the European Union officially opened accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. This step helps to restore faith in the accession process, and ILGA-Europe look forward to seeing both countries step up efforts to ensure equality for LGBTI people.
Read more.
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Equality and non-discrimination
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βGeorgia should ensure effective implementation of the anti-discrimination legislationβOn 15 July, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja MijatoviΔ, published a report following her visit to Georgia in February 2022, with recommendations on human rights issues, including combating discrimination against LGBTI people. To ensure that LGBTI people and persons belonging to religious minorities live free from violence and discrimination, the Commissioner calls on the authorities to address the inadequate implementation of legal standards and the persistent deficiencies in combating impunity for hate crimes and incitement to violence, and to remove the discriminatory barriers to the enjoyment of their rights.
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Step forward with the new law in AndorraOn 21 July, the Parliament in Andorra unanimously approved a law that allows trans people to change their name and gender marker on official documents, and eliminates any distinction between married heterosexual couples or same-sex civil partnerships. However, the law remarks that canonical marriage is only open to heterosexual couples and change of official documents is not fully based on self-determination. ILGA-Europe celebrate these important steps and hope Andorra will continue to push forward LGBTI peopleβs rights.
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Family
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Rainbow families have the right to move and reside freely, EU court reiteratesOn 24 June, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a reasoned order establishing that when an EU country has recognised two persons of the same sex as parents of a child, then the EU country of which that child is a national, should issue identity documents to that child with both parent on them, and all EU countries should protect the right to freedom of movement of the child and their family. This is a confirmation of a previous landmark judgement, that of Baby Sara. Poland has been told that it must now provide the child known as Baby Sofia, born in 2018 to Irish and Polish mothers, with identity documents and guarantee her and her parents the right to move and reside freely in the country.
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Top court in Slovenia rules for marriage equalityOn 8 July, the Constitutional Court in Slovenia ruled that bans on same-sex couples getting marrying and adopting children are unconstitutional and ordered its parliament to amend the law within six months to guarantee they can, but until the law is amended its ruling stands as the law and means that marriage is a union between two persons regardless of gender, and same-sex partners living in a civil partnership may adopt a child together under the same conditions as married spouses. Discrimination against same-sex couples βcannot be justified with the traditional meaning of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, nor with special protection of family,β according to the ruling.
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Freedom of expression
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Hungary to be brought before top EU court for its ban on LGBTI contentOn 15 July, the European Commission formally referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union over discriminatory amendments adopted in June 2021, which ban the βportrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexualityβ to under 18s. According to ILGA-Europeβs Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis: βThese amendments breach a variety of EU laws in a wide range of areas, and have already had a devastating impact on the rights of LGBTI people in Hungaryβ.
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Russian feminist and LGBTI activist Yulia Tsvetkova has been acquittedOn 15 July, Yulia Tsvetkova, a Russian activist facing criminal ‘pornography’ charges for feminist art, was acquitted after a 3-year ordeal. Tsvetkova was charged with with βdistribution of pornographyβ in connection with online dissemination of her feminist drawings. Tsvetkovaβs trial began in April 2021 after an investigation during which she was fined for spreading LGBT “propaganda” and put under house arrest. In May of last year, she launched a hunger strike to protest the case against her.
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Hate crime
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LGBTI centre was attacked in MontenegroOn 23 July, an LGBTI drop-in centre in Podgorica, Montenegro was attacked. The attackers wrote “Death to fags” in red on the door of the center and crossed out the name of the Gay Straight Alliance while writing the same message on the wall and drawing the Nazi symbol. ILGA-Europe condemned the attack and called on authorities and representatives to use all the tools at their disposal to pursue investigations. (Photo by Queer Montenegro)
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Intersectionality
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EP adopts new report on intersectionalityOn 6 July, the European Parliament adopted a new report on intersectional discrimination, focusing specifically on the socio-economic situation of women of African, Middle-Eastern, Latin-American and Asian descent. It stresses the need for EU policymaking to address and eliminate intersecting forms of discrimination; calls for the policies and actions under the Union of Equality to be strengthened, enhanced and adapted if necessary and for an EU framework on intersectional discrimination with cross-cutting objectives and measures to be promoted; recognises the need to mainstream equality and gender equality into EU policies and create inclusive solutions that protect the most marginalised and those facing intersectional discrimination in communities. The report includes clear reference to an LGBTI-inclusive approach to gender-based violence.
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Legal gender recognition
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New CoE report on legal gender recognition in EuropeOn 7 July, the Council of Europe (CoE) published its new report reviewing the progress achieved in European countries in guaranteeing full legal gender recognition (LGR) in all areas of life. The report acknowledges advances in legislation, practices and public attitudes, but progress is slow and additional steps are needed, inter alia, to βdepathologiseβ legal gender recognition, as well as to ensure that family members of the persons concerned are not adversely affected and the childrenβs best interests duly taken into account.
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Just three European countries recognise non-binary identitiesTo mark International Non-binary Peopleβs Day on 14 July, we shared a blog post about the countries that have introduced the registration of gender markers other than male or female, who using no gender markers at all in their official documentation, and those who are working to adapt their systems to recognise non-binary identities in the near future.
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Notice board
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GATE hires an Executive DirectorGATE – Global Action for Trans Equality, is looking for a new Executive Director to build on GATEβs prior successes to continue establishing a dynamic, flourishing, and resilient organisation that shifts power to and meets the needs of trans, gender diverse, and intersex (TGDI) individuals. The new Executive Director will be tasked with leading GATEβs efforts to amplify the voices of TGDI communities and boost TGDI organising resources.
Read more and apply before 16 September.
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Stonewall seeks a Policy and Research OfficerStonewall is hiring for the position of a Policy and Research Officer. For this role they are looking for a person with outstanding administrative and relationship-building skills to ensure the work with politicians is effective and reacts timely to developments in Parliament and Government. You will be able to analyse large amounts of information from a variety of sources and have the written communication skills to turn this into high-quality briefings for a variety of audiences. You will have an interest in the work of Government, Parliament and the Civil Service, and be able to adapt your communication style for their broad range of stakeholders.
Read more and apply before 12 August.
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Fill out survey on knowledge and attitudes of young people on contraceptionTo mark the upcoming World Contraception Day on 26 September and the European Year of Youth, European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights (EPF) is conducting a large-scale study on βKnowledge and Attitudes of European Youth on Contraceptionβ. The study covers young people from 18-30 years and the findings will be presented to European politicians to ensure that policies on contraception are aligned with the real needs of young people. The study will cover all 47 countries of the larger geographical Europe and the questionnaire is available in Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Dutch, English, French , German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish.
Fill out the survey by 15 August. |
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Rainbow Digest June 2022
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 321. June 2022. InΒ this issue… ILGA-Europe
#UkraineLGBTI Data collection Equality and non-discrimination
Family Freedom of assembly Freedom of expression Freedom of movement Hate crime
Institutional support Sexual and reproductive rights Notice board |
ILGA-Europe |
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We are looking for a new Grants and Finance OfficerAre you interested in making and managing grants, and supporting LGBTI groups in Europe and Central Asia in building financial management skills? We are hiring for a position of a Grants and Finance Officer. This role merges financial operations and expense verification tasks with capacity building and administration. Remuneration starts from 51 459β¬ to 57 397β¬ per year, gross. We also provide a great set of benefits (incl. many aiming at supporting staff who face intersectional exclusions), and manage the work permit process for non-EU citizens.
Read more and apply before 31 August. Read more about working at ILGA-Europe. Β
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We held our Equality Fundraiser 2022On 28 June, ILGA-Europe hosted our Equality Fundraiser 2022 in Brussels bringing supporters and allies together in solidarity with the LGBTI equality movement in Europe and Central Asia. All funds raised on ticket sales and during the night will go directly towards providing emergency grants to frontline activists in response to the war in Ukraine.
If you missed our Fundraiser event, you can still donate. Β
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We launched our brand-new websiteOn 14 June, after 18 months of planning and work, we introduced our brand-new website. Working together with SOLOS, a communication and image agency based in Portugal, we re-imagined the structure and design of our site to streamline the access to information, express in simpler but more dynamic ways the complex work we do, be closer to visitors and make them feel part of the ILGA-Europe community, and to be connected to and useful for our 600-plus membership organisations across Europe and Central Asia, and other LGBTI activists and allies.
Read more. |
#UkraineLGBTI |
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UN identifies LGBTI people as a group specifically affected by the war in UkraineWorking alongside ILGA-Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Refugee has published recommendations for humanitarian actors working with LGBTI people affected by the war in Ukraine. ILGA-Europe have worked together with the UN, via its Protection Cluster Ukraine, on a list of recommendations for humanitarian actors and service providers working with people affected by the war in Ukraine, so they can better understand and address the risks faced by LGBTI people staying or fleeing the country.
Read more about the recommendations on our blog. |
Data collection |
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Britons are not polarised over trans equality, study findsOn 16 June, a British research agency More in Common released their new study βBritons and Gender Identity,β an in-depth analysis of the British publicβs attitudes to gender identity and trans equality. Based on polling of more than 5,000 people and 20 focus groups, the report finds that the divisive debate is out of sync with the publicβs approach to the issue β with only 2 percent thinking βthe debate about transgender peopleβ is one of the most important issues facing the country.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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The anti-discrimination bill is adopted by the Lower Chamber of the Tajik ParliamentAfter nearly 3 years of nontransparent behind-the-curtain discussions, the Lower Chamber of the Parliament of Tajikistan finally voted for the Bill on Equality and Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination known as the anti-discrimination bill. The early drafts did include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected grounds. It is unclear if SOGIESC is kept in the final text of the bill. Experts and local activists speculate that SOGIESC was removed from the final version. The draft bill was never made accessible for public debates and even now, after the Lower Chamber of the Parliament adopted it, the text of the bill is yet to be published. It is the first anti-discrimination bill in the entire Central Asian region which expands the definition of discrimination in the national legislation according to local media outlets.
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Organisations worldwide are urging the United Nations to renew IE SOGIOn 17 June, over 1117 civil society organisations from 134 States and Territories delivered a joint global statement calling for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). βA decision by Council Members to renew this mandate would send a clear message that violence and discrimination against people of diverse sexual orientations and/or gender identities cannot be tolerated,β the coalition said in their statement.
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Family |
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Uzbekistan may restrict marriage as a union between man and womanUzbekistan is undergoing constitutional reform. At a recent session of the Committee on drafting the amendments to the Constitution, a Member of the Uzbek Parliament Tulkinjon Karimov proposed to specify marriage as a union uniquely between a man and a woman. This proposal was also supported by another MP Alisher Qodirov. In his speech on 21 June the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also mentioned this as one of the proposed amendments to the Constitution. In the current version of the Constitution the article 63 does not specify any gender and simply states that βmarriage is based on the free will and equality of the sidesβ. Similar norms were introduced into the Constitution of neighbouring Kyrzgystan in 2017. Meanwhile consensual sexual relations between men in Uzbekistan remain criminalised.
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Freedom of assembly |
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At least 530 people were detained in Pride events in TurkeyOn 10 June, the students and academics at the METU planned to organise a Pride March on their campus, which was unlawfully banned by the rectorate, and was dispersed by police using teargas and rubber bullets. 38 students were arrested. Planned for 26 June, the Istanbul Pride March was also banned by local authorities and was repressed by police. 373 participants were detained and kept in custody for a night. The same day, 12 were detained at Izmir Pride. According to Kaos GL, there have been 10 official bans and at least 530 detainees during this yearβs Pride Month. (Photo by Kaos GL)
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Freedom of expression |
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New draft bill in Romania copies Hungarian anti-LGBTI lawThe Romanian Chamber of Deputies is currently deliberating on a draft bill, already tacitly adopted by the Senate in May, which would ban βdissemination by any means of content on deviation from sex at birth or popularization of sex change, or homosexualityβ among minors in any environment, such as βfamily, educational institutions, medical, protection, crime investigation and rehabilitation/detention, internet, media, places of work, sports, community, etcβ. This draft law contains a number of amendments which discriminate against LGBTI people. In addition to banning dissemination of information about LGBT people to minors, it aims to freeze the identity of the child, with all its elements, until the age of 18. The bill is similar to the Hungarian law which attracted negative opinions by the Venice Commission, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, 18 EU Member States, numerous EU bodies, institutions and policy makers, and is also similar to another bill that was declared unconstitutional by the Romanian Constitutional Court in December 2020.
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Freedom of movement |
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Complaint filed with EC against lack of free movement for same-sex couples in HungaryOn 7 June, on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the 2018 CJEU’s Coman Judgement, we and Hungarian LGBTI organisation, HΓ‘ttΓ©r Society filed a complaint to the European Commission because of Hungaryβs non-compliance with the judgement. With a complaint already pending on Romania because it has not implemented the 2018 ruling, and is thus disrespecting EU law, proof has also been provided that Hungary also continues to ignore the judgement and is prohibiting freedom of movement for same-sex couples.
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Hate crime |
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European Court ruled that Bulgaria had an inadequate legal response to homophobic murderOn 14 June, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) released a judgement in the case of Stoyanova v. Bulgaria, finding that Bulgaria had an inadequate legal response to a homophobic murder, hence there is no legal protection in the Criminal Code that includes sexual orientation as aggravating factor. The Court found a violation of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) taken together with Article 2 (right to life). ILGA-Europe called on the Bulgarian authorities to introduce hate crime and hate speech laws that explicitly cover all bias-motivated crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
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Oslo Pride Parade was cancelled following an attack at an LGBTI barOn 25 June, a gunman killed two people and injured 21 at an LGBTI bar on the day the city was due to celebrate its annual Pride Parade. The Pride organising group FRI cancelled all events under the auspices of Oslo Pride following a recommendation from the Oslo police. ILGA-Europe shared a message of solidarity with all Norwayβs LGBTI community, and the organisers of Oslo Pride, with a message βYou are not aloneβ.
Read more. |
Institutional support |
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Foreign missionsβ support increase in KyrgyzstanMore and more diplomatic missions of EU countries, US and Canada are publicly showing support to the LGBTI community in Kyrgyzstan in the month of Pride. Following the EU Delegationβs statement on May 17, the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan showed its support to LGBTI people and LGBTI human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan in June, along with the UK Embassy. This is an unprecedented display of solidarity among certain diplomatic missions in publicly demonstrating support to LGBTI in Kyrgyzstan despite the overwhelming anti-LGBTI discourse in the country.
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Sexual and reproductive rights |
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Joint statement on protecting abortion access in EuropeOn 29 June, ILGA-Europe joined the Center for Reproductive Rights, alongside many other organisations calling on European decision makers to remove impediments in access to abortion care. The statement follows the United States Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, thereby dismantling the US constitutional right to abortion.
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Notice board |
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OHCHR hires for two Human Rights Officer positionsThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is hiring for two Human Rights Officer positions, on the human rights of LGBTI people. These are two fixed term posts based in Geneva. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
Read more and apply before 6 August. |
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ESWA launches online training toolkit for youth sexual health advocatesOn 6 July, European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA), along with the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), and Legebitra will host a webinar to present their e-MPOWER online toolbox for youth-focused online sexual health training programmes. Contents include 20 public materials that are recent, accurate and inclusive in respect to the sexual health and rights of sex workers, people living with HIV, and LGBTQI+ persons.
Read more and register for the launch webinar. |
Rainbow Digest: May 2022
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 320. May 2022. In this issue… ILGA-Europe
Bodily integrity Enlargement Family
Hate crime and hate speech
Health Freedom of assembly Legal gender recognition Notice board |
ILGA-Europe |
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A new dynamic has appeared in LGBTI rights across Europe, Rainbow Map revealsPublished on 12 May at the IDAHOT+ Forum in Cyprus, ILGA-Europeβs annual Rainbow Europe Map and Index, ranking the legal and policy situation of LGBTI people in 49 European countries, finds that over the past 12 months a new dynamic has appeared to fill in the gaps that exist around LGBTI rights and push standards, giving governments ground to build upon as democracy in Europe faces exceptional challenges.
Read more on our press release. Find out your country ranking on the interactive module. |
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Panel addressing the vulnerabilities and challenges facing LGBTI people in and fleeing from UkraineOn 17 May, UNAIDS and ILGA-Europe co-hosted an event to mark IDAHOBIT. Panellists addressed the existing gaps within the humanitarian response in the context of the war in Ukraine, and concluded with recommendations and commitment to better protect the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people staying in Ukraine or who have left. Moderated by CianΓ‘n B. Russell, Senior Policy Officer of ILGA-Europe, the event brought together LGBTI representatives and a wide range of thought leaders, policymakers and practitioners.
Read more about the outcomes of the event and watch back the recording. Read UNAIDSβs interview with Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe. |
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6 tips for LGBTI organisations partnering alongside a business in Pride seasonIn the new mini-series of our podcast The Frontline, we are talking about how businesses engage with LGBTI inclusion. Today, more businesses actively seek to work together with civil society organisations, while these may find new allies in the private sector. Our new mini-series was recorded before the war began, but with itβs deep dive into how actors in the private sector, from big corporates to small and medium businesses, can work with LGBTI organisations to shape a better future for us all, we think it is more important than ever to have this discussion.
Listen to the mini-series of the podcast. |
Bodily integrity |
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The European Court sets the basis for the qualification of IGM as tortureOn 19 May, the European Court of Human Rights communicated its decision on the case M c. France. While the Court rejected the application on procedural grounds, it paved the way for future positive decisions on the qualification of non-vital medical interventions performed on intersex persons without their personal prior free and fully informed consent as intersex genital mutilation (IGM) and therefore as a form of torture.
Read more. |
Enlargement |
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European Parliament adopted reports on Albania and North MacedoniaOn 19 May, the European Parliament adopted its annual country reports for Albania and North Macedonia. The report on Albania calls for proper resolution of hate crime and speech cases against LGBTI people, full implementation and budgeting of the LGBTI action plan and collection of LGBTI disaggregated data, among others. The report on North Macedonia calls for adoption of LGR based on self-determination, adoption of inclusive education laws and proper investigation of hate crime and threats against LGBTI people which have starkly increased.
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Family |
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Bulgarian Court rules Baby Sara must be issued birth certificateOn 16 May, a Bulgarian court has ordered city hall authorities in the capital city of Sofia to issue a birth certificate to the baby born to a same-sex couple from Bulgaria and Gibraltar, known as βBaby Saraβ. The courtβs decision follows a ruling last December by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), saying that if one EU member state recognises a parental relationship between a child and its parents, then all member states should, in order to give the child its right to freedom of movement.
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High Court in Croatia paves the way for adoption by same-sex couplesOn 26 May, NGO Dugine Obitelji announced that the High Administrative Court of Croatia confirmed that same-sex couples can adopt children, indicating that parents cannot be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. The Court decision rejects the appeal of the competent Ministry against the judgment of the Administrative Court in Zagreb from April 2021, which should have given a same-sex couple access to the adoption procedure.
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Hate crime and hate speech |
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European Court rules against Armeniaβs inaction in anti-LGBTI hate crime caseOn 17 May, The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Armenian authorities failed to protect an LGBT bar owner and activist from homophobic physical and verbal attacks, and arson, and to carry out effective investigation. According to ILGA-Europeβs Head of Litigation, Arpi Avetisyan: βThe judgment makes it clear that without legislation which explicitly covers bias-motivated crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity, such crimes will remain invisible and foster impunityβ.
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Council of Europe proposes a comprehensive legal and policy framework to combat hate speechOn 20 May, the Council of Europe issued a set of guidelines to its 46 member states aimed at preventing and combating hate speech, both online and offline. The guidelines recommend that member states differentiate between, firstly, the most serious cases of hate speech, which are to be prohibited by criminal law, secondly, hate speech subject to civil and administrative law and, finally, offensive or harmful types of expressions which are not sufficiently severe to be legitimately restricted under the European Convention on Human Rights but nevertheless call for alternative responses.
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Health |
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New report on the impact of the pandemic on transgender health careEuropean Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH), in cooperation with the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf and Ghent University, have published the results of their cross-sectional survey in 63 upper-middle-income and high-income countries on βHow the COVID-19 pandemic affects transgender health careβ. The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic has an extraordinary impact on the transgender population in upper-middle-income and high-income countries, and that transgender people might suffer under the severity of the pandemic even more than the general population.
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Freedom of assembly |
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Police attacks a university Pride event in TurkeyOn 20 May, police brutally attacked the Pride March that was planned to take place on the campus of the Bo?aziΓ§i University in Istanbul. 70 people including students and academics were taken into custody and released at around 3am local time, after roughly 10 hours, after submitting their testimonies. Prior to the event, the university administration announced that they wouldnβt let any event happen on the campus other than a music festival scheduled for the same day, however there was no official ban. The administration also set up x-ray machines at the entrances to the campus. (Photo: ΓniKuir)
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Legal gender recognition |
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UKβs Supreme Court refused application against puberty blockersOn 5 May, the Supreme Court in the UK has refused Quincy Bellβs application for permission to appeal in the matter of Bell v Tavistock β a challenge to Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trustβs Gender Identity Development Service β βGIDSβ β and its practice of referring patients under the age of 18 for prescription of puberty-blocking treatment. The Court decision protects the right to health for trans youth and importantly reaffirms that trans youth should be assessed in the same way as their peers as to their competence.
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Notice board |
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Join Social Platform as a Senior Policy & Advocacy OfficerSocial Platform is currently looking for a Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer to join their team on a full-time basis. The Senior Officer will lead on the policy and advocacy work related to the European Pillar of Social Rights, more specifically on income, social services, equality and anti-discrimination, and civil dialogue in the social sector.
Read more and apply before 6 June. |
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Apply for Equinetβs traineeshipsThe European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet) has opened three traineeship positions. You can apply to be their Communication Trainee, Network Administration Trainee, or Policy and Legal Trainee. You are eligible if you are a recent graduate in a field of studies related to the responsibilities at stake in the position, less than 30 years old, and already living in Belgium or authorised to work in Belgium.
Read more and apply before 6 June. |
Rainbow Digest April 2022
#UkraineLGBTI |
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LGBTI shelters need urgent support, medication continues to be a major issue and moreOn 15 April, we published a blog post with our latest update on what’s happening for LGBTI people either staying in or fleeing Ukraine, the ways we’re working to help, and how you can urgently help too. Two months after the Russian invasion began, many shelters for LGBTI people in Ukraine are running out of necessities. Trans and intersex people in Ukraine continue to experience difficulties accessing the medications they urgently need, as are people living with HIV. Particular attention continues to be paid to the situation of trans people who are in Ukraine.
Read more on our blog post. |
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Contacts if you are an LGBTI person fleeing UkraineWe are constantly updating a list of organisations who are reaching out to help LGBTI refugees from Ukraine landing in countries across Europe. If you are an LGBTI person fleeing Ukraine, the webpage shows a list of contacts you can get in touch with.
Read more about the groups you can support in Ukraine. |
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Temporary protection and LGBTI people in EU member statesOn 4 March, the Council of the EU adopted a decision to activate the EU Temporary Protection Directive. This is the first time the TPD has been activated since its adoption in the aftermath of the Yugoslav war. As organisations reach out to help LGBTI people who have fled Ukraine, some specific limitations to the TPD are being identified.
Read more on our briefing note. |
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PACE general rapporteur expresses deep concern for the rights of LGBTI people in or fleeing UkraineChristophe Lacroix, the General Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the rights of LGBTI people issued a statement saying “I am deeply concerned about the safety of LGBTI people in the context of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.” He adds that LGBTI people in and fleeing Ukraine must be considered and protected.
Read the full statement. |
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The situation for lesbian women in and from UkraineLike all members of the LGBTI community who have either remained in Ukraine, or are on the move to a safer place, lesbians are facing specific challenges and needs. To mark the Lesbian Visibility Week, Dragana Todorovic, from the EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community, tells us about the work on the frontlines, the needs that are arising, and how you can support.
Read more on our interview. |
ILGA-Europe |
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Call for proposals to support strong communications by LGBTI organisationsWe opened a call for proposals for multi-year project grants to support LGBTI organisations in Europe and Central Asia in strengthening their own strategic communication capacities.The aim of these grants is to support organisations to make communications into one of the core functions in their work and to amplify their existing communications skills and experiences. Grantee partners will have access to various learning opportunities and will be asked to share their own learning with ILGA-Europe and with the wider LGBTI movement.
Read more about the call and how to apply before 29 May. |
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The private sector and LGBTI equality: New podcast mini-seriesOur new podcast mini-series was recorded before the war began, but with its deep dive into how actors in the private sector, from big corporates to small and medium businesses, can work with LGBTI organisations to shape a better future for us all, we think it is more important than ever to have this discussion. From making the business case for engagement, to exploring the different ways businesses can work with LGBTI organisations, to a case study in how the coffee giant Starbucks successfully worked with a trans youth organisation to help shift attitudes, this is a series with learnings for both businesses who want to help shape a better world, and LGBTI organisations seeking to work with them.
Listen to the mini-series of podcasts. Find the previous episodes. |
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Panel discussion on the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Ukraine and EuropeOn the occasion of IDAHOBIT, on 17 May from 12:00 – 13:30 CET, ILGA-Europe and UNAIDS are hosting an event focusing on the rights of Ukrainian LGBTIQ+ people. The interactive panel session will be moderated by ILGA-Europe’s Senior Policy Officer Cianán Russell to discuss how to better protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Ukraine and Europe. The event will feature the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as keynote speaker as well as other policy makers and community representatives from Ukraine.
Join the webinar with the passcode 737628. |
Equality and non-discrimination |
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“It is the time for France’s leadership in Europe”Ahead of the elections in France, on 6 April, ILGA-Europe joined our member organisation Inter-LGBT in calling on French political actors to put human rights and LGBTI equality at the core of their political agenda. The statement says “More than ever it is the time for renewed commitment and leadership in Europe”.
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Freedom of expression |
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Public vote on anti-LGBT legislation was invalidated in HungaryOn 3 April, the same day as the Hungarian general elections, the ruling Fidesz party held a referendum asking the public to validate anti-LGBT legislation that was introduced last year. Orban’s party won the elections, but the referendum was invalidated which shows that many in Hungary are accepting and reject further stigmatisation of LGBTI people. The law, banning the “portrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality", was decried by a majority of member states of the European Union, and led the European Commission to take infringement procedures against Hungary.
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Family |
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Step forward on recognition of more than two parents in DenmarkOn 3 March, the Danish parliament adopted a bill to amend the Law on Parental Leave. According to these provisions, the two legal parents can decide to share the parental leave with social parents. In the public hearings of the bill, LGBT komiteen criticised the wording in some of the paragraphs, e.g., the use of the term “parent-like relation” for a social parent and “female employee”. The Government agreed on the latter only and made changes to the bill.
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Hate speech |
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The first judgement for discrimination against LGBTI persons in Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn 4 April, the Municipal Court in Sarajevo issued a first instance judgement in which discrimination against LGBTI persons was confirmed by a court for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The judgement refers to a public statement made by a former member of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, on social media. ”From a legal standpoint, it is critical to develop case law and strengthen legal standards concerning discrimination and hate speech. The Sarajevo Open Centre (SOC) is handling multiple lawsuits before several courts in the country” says Darko PandureviΔ, Advocacy and Programme Manager at SOC.
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Health |
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UK Government drops plans to ban conversion therapy for trans peopleOn 4 April, after a government leak indicating that the conversion therapy ban process would not go ahead, the government of the United Kingdom published a statement that says the plans to ban conversion therapy will go ahead, but gender identity will be excluded from any legislative ban. Following this decision, the LGBTI organisations and groups across the UK including Stonewall UK withdrew their support to a governmental conference entitled “Safe To Be Me.” ILGA-Europe joined calls from the UK LGBTI civil society demanding a ban which is fully inclusive of all LGBTI people.
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Community meeting on biomedical HIV preventionThe European AIDS Treatment Group, PrEPster, AVAC, AIDS Action Europe and ECOM are organising a community e-meeting “Developments in the Biomedical HIV Prevention Pipeline & PrEP Implementation Issues – an Update for Community Educators and Advocates”, which will take place on 18 May at 13:00 – 14:30 CET. The e-meeting will provide an update on the latest developments in biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation, new approaches and future challenges. Participants will discuss community preferences, uptake and access issues, as well as advocacy efforts to overcome policy and financial barriers at local, regional and European level.
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Human rights defenders |
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European Commission takes action on abusive lawsuits against human rights defendersOn 27 April, the European Commission launched an anti-SLAPP initiative which includes key remedies and safeguards needed in any effective anti-SLAPP legislation. The initiative, which focuses on cross-border cases, is a crucial first step forward in the fight against abusive lawsuits against public watchdogs in Europe. The abusive lawsuits are used against LGBTI activists, among many others, to silence their activism.
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Intersectionality |
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New academic journal focusing on Roma LGBTI people was publishedOn 20 April, the Critical Romani Studies, an international, interdisciplinary, double blind peer-reviewed journal, published a new issue that focuses on Roma LGBTI, feminist movement and scholarship. The thematic issue talks about a range of subjects such as representations of Romani queer and feminist identities, intersectional inequalities, and violence as well as art and litrature reviews.
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New report on sex work and racismOn 13 April, European Sex Workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA) published a new community report that gives historical overview of racism in anti-sex work, anti-trafficking, & anti-immigration laws and policies in Europe. ESWA conducted a literature review on the history of sexualised racism in the European context and racism in global and national sex work policies and laws.
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Sexual and reproductive rights |
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Join the research study on transmasculine people and sexual healthGATE and Columbia University are conducting a research study about transmasculine people and sexual health to learn about transmasculine people’s access to sexual health services and gender-affirmative care. In addition, the study aims to explore whether transmasculine people are interested in using PrEP, whether they have access to it, and where they would prefer to receive PrEP-related services. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
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Notice board |
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EPATH holds a summer school on transgender healthEuropean Professional Association for Transgender Health (EPATH) calls for applications for their first summer school about transgender health which will take place from 28 June – 1 July 2022, at Ghent University in Belgium. The seasonal school ‘Transgender Health: Interdisciplinary Approaches’ deals with the multidisciplinary approaches to the social, mental and physical well-being of transgender and gender diverse persons. Clinicians, other researchers and professionals, and students are encouraged to apply.
Read more and apply before 30 April. |
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Astraea seeks a consultant for a research on LGBQTI organising in Central Asia and the CaucasusThe Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is seeking a research consultant(s) to conduct a Landscape Analysis. The focus of research will be to provide a legal, political, social and cultural context analysis as well as a movement analysis of LGBQTI organising in Central Asia and the Caucasus, particularly organising led by LBQTI communities. Astrea encourages LBTQI, BIPOC, young activists/researchers as well as research teams who are based in either/both of the research focus subregions (Central Asia and South Caucasus) to apply.
Read more and apply before 20 May. |
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New call for proposals to support strategic litigation on digital rightsThe Digital Freedom Fund will open their next call for grant applications on 23 May and run until 1 July. You can submit applications for litigation track support or pre-litigation research. You can join two informal sessions about the call on 24 May or 9 June. The grantmaking process aims to support strategic litigation on digital rights in Europe that contributes to advancing human rights in the digital context.
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Systemic Justice recruits a Head of CommunicationsSystemic Justice is looking for a Head of Communications to help them radically transform how the law works for communities fighting for racial, social, and economic justice. The Head of Communications will be part of Systemic Justice’s group of founding individuals and help shape its vision from the beginning. It is a full-time 1 year consultancy, with a remote work possibility.
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Institute for the Study of Human Rights accepts applications for the Human Rights Advocates ProgramThe Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) opened the application for the 2022-23 Human Rights Advocates Program, which leverages the resources of Columbia University and those offered by NYC as a hub of NGOs and international organisations to provide human rights advocates with academic, skill-building, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The Program is designed for human rights activists working with NGOs on issues including sexual and gender-based violence, minority rights, LGBTQI+ rights, labor rights, indigenous peoples' rights, migration, health, social exclusion, environmental justice, disability rights, and corporate social accountability.
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IGLYO organises a strategic messaging webinarIGLYO is organising a webinar on strategic communications on 19 May at 13:00 CET. In the webinar, there will be opportunities to learn about reframing narratives to empower our communities, values-based communication, and testing messages. The webinar will also include hands-on exercises for participants to practice these skills.
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Rainbow Digest March 2022
#UkraineLGBTI |
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Information, Action, DirectionAt ILGA-Europe we recognise that the war is not going to be a short-term situation for vulnerable people in Ukraine, Russia, neighbouring countries, and all countries in Europe and Central Asia that are and will be hosting displaced people. We recognise that efforts to help are complex and will become more so as time goes on. Our work as well constantly needs to adapt and reflect the developing situation for LGBTI people. Our central working principle, for, with and on behalf of LGBTI activists and organisations in Ukraine, Russia and other affected countries, in the short, medium and longer term, is to connect and mobilise people, institutions and resources to strengthen and reinforce the work happening on the ground. We are working to make it as effective as possible on three core levels: Information, Action, and Direction.
Read more and access our resource page. |
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Support for LGBTI people in UkraineLGBTI groups in Ukraine are playing a critical role in trying to support their communities. Current needs are around shelter, access to food and medication and psychological support, and often relocation to safer places. For now, we feel it is most appropriate to direct donations to groups in Ukraine who are receiving funds. We encourage people to support initiatives that are already in place and doing the work.
Read more about the groups you can support in Ukraine. |
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Podcast episode on LGBTI people and the war in UkraineIn the new episode of our podcast The Frontline, we are talking about how we at ILGA-Europe are responding to the war in Ukraine, and in particular the effects on LGBTI people, both in Ukraine and Russia, in neighbouring countries, and all host countries across Europe and Central Asia. With us to talk about the current situation, from ILGA-Europe’s perspective, combined with what we know from our member organisations in Ukraine, Russia and across the region, is our Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis.
Listen to the podcast. |
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Here’s what you should know about trans communities from UkraineTo mark March 31, Trans Day of Visibility, we shared a blog post to tell about the current needs of trans communities staying or leaving Ukraine. The blog talks about some of the current needs of trans people from Ukraine and how trans-led organisations are responding.
Read our blog. |
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“The EU and Member States must now work together to put commitments into practice”On 27 March, ILGA-Europe joined over twenty NGOs to jointly urge the EU and European countries to work together to put into action their refugee response commitments in light of the crisis in Ukraine. This call came ahead of EU justice and home affairs ministers meeting on 28 March to discuss the EU’s support for people fleeing the crisis in Ukraine.
Read the joint statement. |
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“Specific needs of LGBTI people should be included in humanitarian aid and international protection”On 28 March, the EU home affairs ministers met in Brussels to discuss European coordination for the reception of people fleeing Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting ILGA-Europe called for inclusion of the specific needs of LGBTI people in humanitarian aid and international protection. (Photo credit: MININT / J. Rocha)
Read ILGA-Europe’s letter to home affairs ministers. |
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“Simplify access for trans and intersex refugees to hormones and medicines”Ahead of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting on 29 March, where EU health ministers discussed European coordination for the reception of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, ILGA-Europe sent a letter to the ministers calling for active inclusion of the health needs of LGBTI people, including access to hormones, in humanitarian assistance and refugee planning.
Read our letter. |
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UN expert: “Protection of LGBTI and gender-diverse refugees remains critical”On 22 March, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, UN Independent Expert on protection from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, issued a statement and expressed his deep concern about evidence being brought to his attention confirming that exposure to dangers faced by people who seek protection during this time is greatly exacerbated for those who identify as LGBTI and/or gender-diverse.
Read more about the statement. |
ILGA-Europe |
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Join OrgMinds – a new programme on designing purposeful LGBTI organisationsA big part of our mission has always been to support LGBTI activists in developing their organisations in ways that truly make sense for them, their communities, and their purpose. This year, we are creating a dedicated space for LGBTI activists to dive deeper into organisational design and development. This space is OrgMinds – an ILGA-Europe learning programme for LGBTI activists on designing and running organisations that are fit to advance their missions, withstand troubles, and make the best of their resources. The programme runs from 1 May to 1 December 2022.
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Apply to be our next Programmes DirectorWe are looking for a passionate Programmes Director with strong and relevant experience, who can lead our dedicated programmes team at a time in Europe and Central Asia when the movement for equality and democracy is more important than ever. Our new Programmes Director will lead ILGA-Europe’s work supporting the development of a resourced, skilled, accountable and sustainable LGBTI movement in Europe and Central Asia.
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Bodily integrity |
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Sign the petition to end forced sterilisation of persons with disabilities in EuropeThe European Disability Forum (EDF) has launched a campaign to ask the European Parliament, the Council and European Commission to prohibit forced sterilisation in all EU Member States as a part of the EU Directive on violence against women and domestic violence. In Europe today, persons with disabilities, especially women and girls, face forced sterilisation, which only puts them at further risk of abuse.
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Family |
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Kosovo’s Parliament rejected draft bill on same-sex partnershipsOn 16 March, the Parliament of Kosovo rejected a draft bill that would recognise the rights of same-sex partnerships. The debate in parliament highlighted discriminatory, homophobic views and rhetoric and incitement to hatred. ILGA-Europe condemned the misinformation and discriminatory speech used in the parliament when the draft civil code was rejected due to its inclusion of the possibility to regulate same-sex partnership.
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Join the event on cross-border recognition of familial ties within the European UnionOn 19 April, COFACE is organising an online talk within their regular breakfast byte webinars looking at different types of support to families. The event will discuss cross-border recognition of familial ties within the European Union. The webinar will present the results of a study conducted on this topic in 2021, giving more evidence of the existing obstacles and offering a range of recommendations to the EU institutions and Member States on why and how they could push for a better cross-border recognition of rainbow families.
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Human rights defenders |
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New report highlights stories of LGBTI activists targeted by SLAPPsOn 16 March, The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) published a new report entitled “Shutting Out Criticism: How SLAPPs Threaten European Democracy” which was compiled by the ARTICLE 19 and the The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. At the launch event for the report, The European Commissioner for Values and Transparency VΔra Jourová said that "Stories of LGBTI activists targeted by SLAPPs really stuck with me”.
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Rule of law |
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Urgent call on the European Commission and the Council to refrain from approving recovery funds to the governments of Poland and HungaryOn 23 March, ILGA-Europe joined eleven other NGOs for a joint letter to The President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel to refrain from approving recovery funds to the governments of Poland and Hungary and provide direct support to local authorities, civil society and human rights defenders providing for refugees of the war. Revising the critical decision to suspend approval of the EU recovery funding for Poland and Hungary now, would send the wrong political signal to the governments of Poland and Hungary who have made no progress in course-correction of laws, policies and practices undermining checks and balances and the overall rule of law architecture.
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The 5 trending attacks on the fundamental rights of LGBTI people in the EUIn ILGA-Europe’s submission to the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law report, we’ve reported on the systematic attacks on the fundamental rights of LGBTI people across the EU, which have been enabled by the weakening of rule of law and democratic structures in several member states. ILGA-Europe, with the input of various national-level LGBTI organisations, has submitted written input to inform the 2022 annual report, in order to ensure the violations of LGBTI rights linked to rule of law deterioration are recognised by EU institutions, and are addressed in their follow-up with member states. (Photo credit: Lukasz Kobus)
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ILGA World is looking for a UN Programme OfficerILGA World seeks a Programme Officer to join their United Nations team to support the members and other local LGBTI groups engaging with UN human rights mechanisms and organising national activities aimed at follow-up on and implementation of UN SOGIESC recommendations. Anyone with dedication to – and experience in regard to – the human and social rights of persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristicsis welcome to apply.
Read more and apply before 8 April. |
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ERA LGBTI seeks an Executive Co-DirectorERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Turkey is looking for a talented, dedicated and committed individual to join its team as its Executive Co-Director. The Executive Director functions as a primary liaison for the key stakeholders, holds the responsibility for overall implementation of the new ERA’s strategy for 2022/2023-2028, and oversees the work of all ERA staff members and the implementation of all ERA programmes.
Read more and apply before 17 April. |
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Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice is hiring a Communications LeadEquinox Initiative for Racial Justice is looking for an Communications Lead to creatively manage their communications and press and take Equinox’s public presence to new heights. Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice is a people of colour-led initiative working to advance rights and justice for all people in Europe.
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Take GATE’s online training on safety, security and wellbeing for activistsGATE launched their brand-new Safety, Security and Wellbeing Training that is offered freely to global trans and gender diverse activists (and LGBTQI activists in general) engaging with digital communications. You can explore five key areas in the video sessions: Reflections on violence, Security and Safety, Feminist self-care, Digital security, and Safety and Self-Care Plans for Organizations.
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Apply for IGLYO’s Activist AcademyThe call for applications is open for IGLYO — International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation’s Online Activist Academy, which is a 2-week skills-based training programme for young people between 18 and 30 at the beginning of their activist careers who are passionate about activism, advocacy and learning, and have a strong interest in LGBTQI rights.
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Join the study on Iranian queer refugees living in Turkey, the UK and CanadaThe University of Sussex started a new project entitled “Negotiating Queer Identities Following Forced Migration (NQIfFM): A Comparative Study of Iranian Queer Refugees Living in Turkey, the UK and Canada.” If you have you left Iran to escape persecution or discrimination related to your sexual orientation or gender identity or if you support someone who has gone through this experience, the research team invites you to share your story as part of a study to improve the experiences of queer Iranian refugees in Turkey, the UK and Canada.
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Rainbow Digest February 2022
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 317. February 2022. In this issue… ILGA-Europe
Bias-motivated speech Bias-motivated violence Education Equality and non-discrimination
Family
Human rights defenders Rule of law
Notice board |
ILGA-Europe |
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Support for LGBTI people in UkraineAs is the world, at ILGA-Europe we are continually assessing the rapidly developing situation in Ukraine and the region, and in particular for LGBTI people. We are in contact with activists and other organisations working to support LGBTI communities in Ukraine and those fleeing, to better understand the needs and see what kind of support may be helpful. The situation on the ground is changing rapidly, and we will provide information on how best to support when appropriate. We are also in touch with activists in Russia and Belarus. As we all know, many people in Russia and Belarus are mobilising in protest against the Russian invasion. It is vital that in this time particularly, we continue to support those working for human rights in democracy in Belarus and Russia, and so ILGA-Europe continues to do this simultaneously. We are in groups where information is exchanged and will be taking part in calls with groups of Ukrainian activists in the coming days. We will provide updated information on our website regularly. |
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Behind the smokescreen of anti-LGBTI rhetoric, there’s a groundswell of allied determination to tackle hatredPublished on 15 February, ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI people in Europe and Central Asia finds that while there was a staggering rise in 2021 of anti-LGBTI rhetoric from politicians and other leaders, fuelling a wave of violence, with anti-LGBTI hate crime reported in every country, the response to this has been an allied determination in many countries, and at the European level, to tackle hatred and exclusion of LGBTI people.
Read more on our press release. Download your own copy of the report. |
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EU enlargement countries called on to urgently ensure protection of the human rights of LGBTI peopleOn 24 February, ILGA-Europe and the LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey (ERA), published our annual Enlargement Review, which outlines the developments in recognising and respecting the human rights of LGBTI people in each enlargement country (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey) from January to December 2021. The report urgently calls on all EU enlargement countries to properly implement their anti-discrimination, hate crime and hate speech legal frameworks, in the context of rising anti-gender, anti-rights and far-right groups.
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Bias-motivated speech |
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Hungarian court rules that comparing LGBT people to pedophiles is lawfulOn 1 February, an appeals court in Hungary ruled against Labrisz Lesbian Association, saying that an article in a pro-government newspaper likening them to pedophiles did not injure the group’s reputation. The court ruling reversed a November 2021 decision by a lower court that found comparing LGBT activists to pedophiles was both unfounded and offensive.
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Bias-motivated violence |
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Joint manifesto for an inclusive and comprehensive EU gender-based violence policy for allIn the lead up to International Women’s Day, 8 March, and the expected publication of a draft EU law to address violence against women and domestic violence, ILGA-Europe joined 11 other organisations for a manifesto for a truly inclusive EU law and policy. We call on the European Union to adopt a forward-thinking and truly inclusive approach to gender-based violence – that leaves no one behind and strives to achieve real change in the lives of all people, without discrimination. (Photo credit: Emir EΔricesu)
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Education |
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Parents Union of Qazaqstan is against “university reforms” because of potential “gay propaganda”Recent educational reforms announced by the Qazaq President Tokaev came under attack by the Parents Union of Qazaqstan. According to the reforms, a number of state-run universities would be transferred under the trusteeship management of leading foreign universities. The Parents Union particularly opposed the transfer of the North Qazaqstan State University under the trusteeship management of the University of Arizona (AU), claiming that “the latter is famous in the United States not for the quality of education, but for providing benefits for LGBTQ+”. According to the President of the Parents Union Anar Kairbekova, AU promotes tolerance in lectures, teaches students to accept other people's gender roles, and provides housing for gay couples. She resented saying: “Do you want it in Qazaqstan? Thank you, no.” Co-founder of Feminist initiative “Feminita” Zhanar Sakerbaeva objected to Kairbekova, saying that students in all universities may identify themselves differently, and proposed that all educational institutions shall provide safer spaces to support LGBTQ+ students.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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LGBTQ+ organisations in Great Britain spark international review of the EHRCOn 22 February, a coalition ofβ―LGBTQ+ and trans focusedβ―charitiesβ―and human rights bodies, led by Stonewall and supported by the Good Law Project, wroteβ―to the United Nations and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANRHI) to formallyβ―submit evidence to support calls forβ―a Special Review of theβ―‘A’β―status ofβ―EHRC asβ―Great Britain’s National Human Rights Institution. For an NRHI to achieve an ‘A’ status, which allows them to participate at the UN Human Rights Council, they must be fully compliant with the Paris Principles.
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“LGBTI people in Qazaqstan have no barriers to serve in the military”Head of the Department of Organisational and Mobilisation Work of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Qazaqstan Saken Zhusupov was questioned by a reporter, if representatives of sexual minorities [LGBTI people] can serve in the army, and whether non-traditional [non-heterosexual] orientation would be a reason for refusal to conscribe into the military service. Saken Zhusupov responded that representatives of sexual minorities are the same citizens as everyone else in Qazaqstan, and there are no legal barriers for them to serve in the military. He added that according to the Qazaq Constitution, no one can be discriminated against under any circumstances. Reportedly, according to the Tengrinews.kz, the question had risen after a few cases when LGBTI people were refused to conscribe because of their sexual orientation.
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Family |
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Trans woman recognised as child’s mother in landmark French court rulingOn 9 February, a court of appeal in the city of Toulouse ruled that a trans woman should be considered the mother of the child. The court said that France’s 2016 gender recognition laws have left an “undeniable legal vacuum” due to their lack of provision for trans parents, and ruled that it’s in the best interests of the child with a trans parent, or parents, to have a birth certificate that maintains their privacy and so it will be possible to list two mothers or two fathers on the birth certificate.
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Family law in Denmark improvedOn 10 February, the Danish parliament passed a bill improving the rights of rainbow families in the country. Persons using home insemination will be subject to the particular rules on recognition for rainbow families, which could previously be applied only when using fertility clinics. Also, trans parents will be registered as parents in the proper gender, e.g., a trans man will be registered as a father, even if he gave birth to the child. In the Code of Judicial Procedure, paragraphs dealing with a “mother” are changed to be dealing with “the one who gave birth to the child,” i.e., getting rid of gendered terms.
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Human rights defenders |
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More than 200 thousands people told the EU to stop bully lawsuitsOn 1 February, the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) victims, including LGBTI SLAPP victim Kamil Maczuga, met VΔra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency in the European Commission, to hand-over 213,432 petition calling for a strong anti-SLAPP Directive. (Photo credit: Thomas Cytrynowicz)
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Rule of law |
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CJEU confirms the legality of the EU’s rule of law conditionalityOn 16 February, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on the cases that were brought before the court by Poland and Hungary in early 2021. CJEU ruled that the rule of law conditionality mechanism is in line with EU law and can be applied where Member States breach EU law in ways that affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union in a sufficiently direct way.
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EU Ministers must act on the serious breach of EU’s rule of law and values in PolandOn 16 February, ILGA-Europe, along with 86 other NGOs, wrote a letter to EU Ministers to act decisively on Poland’s rule of law crisis, ahead of the General Affairs Council meeting on 22 February. The letter addresses the major rule of law concerns in Poland, including media freedom, civic space, SRHR and LGBTI rights. It outlines how systemic rule of law violations have enabled Poland to directly attack the human rights of LGBTI people and their defenders.
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Notice board |
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Participate in the Rainbow Advocacy ProgramRFSL, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights, is accepting applications for their Rainbow Advocacy Program (RAP) which is a 13-month-long fellowship for LGBTIQ+ activists from Global South and East to affect change at home through UN advocacy. The first phase of the program will be between 3 and 16 September2022 in Geneva; the second phase will be between October 2022 and September 2023; and the third phase will be one week in July 2023, in New York.
Read more and apply before 15 March. Check out the list of eligible countries. |
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Apply for the support and funding opportunity for LGBTIQ+ projectsBØWIE initiative has published a call for LGBTIQ+ projects as a part of the first incubator dedicated to queer and feminist entrepreneurial projects in Europe. The 6-month incubation programme brings the support you need to launch or grow your project: new skills, guidance, resources, visibility, funding opportunities, and a community. You can apply for the opportunity if you are an entrepreneur, an activist, or individual from Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, or Ukraine.
Read more and apply before 22 April. |
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Apply for END FGM European Network’s Policy and Advocacy traineeshipThe End FGM European Network is looking for a Policy and Advocacy trainee to assist in its implementation of the 2022 Work Plan and other EU level advocacy activities. The Network is based in Brussels and brings together 32 national organisations based in 15 European countries and working in the field of female genital mutilation (FGM) as a form of violence against women and girls. They will be accepting applications on a rolling basis, and will close the call as soon as they have found a candidate or on 20 March 2022 at the latest.
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Rainbow Digest January 2022
ILGA-Europe |
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Rising challenges for LGBTI organisations in Europe and Central Asia, new report findsOn 11 January, ILGA-Europe published their brand-new report indicating that LGBTI activists are struggling to resource their work amid a number of challenging factors. The report, entitled, “Funding To Meet Changing Realities – LGBTI Organisations on the State of Funding in Europe and Central Asia,” based on survey responses from 300 LGBTI organisations across Europe and Central Asia finds that about one third of LGBTI organisations operate on yearly budgets under 20,000 Euro. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, organisations across the region stepped up to fill the gaps by providing services to LGBTI people that should have been provided by public authorities. Every second LGBTI organisation in the region experiences stress and burnout due to not being able to meet the needs of LGBTI people coming in for help.
Read more about the report on the press release. Download the report and watch the video of the presentation of the results. |
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New podcast episode discusses hope and the LGBTI movementIn the newest episode of The Frontline podcast, we looked back at the year that was 2021, and what it meant for the LGBTI movement in Europe. At ILGA-Europe, when the pandemic first kicked in, our motto was ‘the work goes on’, and that work most certainly continued apace throughout 2021, with the growth of a perceived east-west divide in Europe over LGBTI rights, infringement procedures taken by the European Commission against Hungary and Poland because of their anti-LGBTI laws and programs, a sharp rise in the demonisation and isolation of trans people from the women’s movement, and an overall rise in authoritarian regimes seeking to instrumentalise LGBTI lives to limit the rights of others.
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Join our next Skills Boost session on making graphics with free tools and no design skillsOn 17 February, ILGA-Europe will hold a Skills Boost session on graphic design for LGBTI activists. This online session will cover when and how is graphic design useful to LGBTI activists specifically, basic design principles to get you started, and practical tips for using free tools that have been released or updated recently. At the end of this session participants will be given resources for an assignment to design their own graphic. We will hold a second follow-up session in March where participants will get feedback on their graphic from ILGA-Europe’s experts, and help to ‘premiere’ the graphic publicly.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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Denmark’s landmark amendment in its non-discrimination laws and Penal CodeOn 21 December 2021, the Danish Parliament passed a bill amending the legislation on equal treatment, non-discrimination, and the Penal Code by explicitly mentioning sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics. Only sexual orientation was a protected ground in the labour market before this legal change. The amendments entered into force on 1 January 2022.
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PACE adopts groundbreaking reports on the human rights of LGBTI peopleOn 25 January, The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted two groundbreaking reports: “Rising hate against LGBTI people in Europe'' and “Alleged violations of the rights of LGBTI people in the Southern Caucasus'' which both make a clear statement that LGBTI people within the Council of Europe remain at risk of human rights violations, and States have a responsibility to ensure their full protection. During the debate, Gen. Rapporteur on the rights of LGBTI people Fourat Ben Chikha said “The rising hatred is not an expression of individual prejudice, but the result of sustained and often well-organised attacks which cannot be effectively combated if it is treated purely as an individual phenomenon.”
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What is happening since the adoption of the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy?Just over a year ago, on 12 November 2020, the European Commission adopted the first ever EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, committing to be at the forefront of efforts to better protect LGBTIQ people’s rights. But how far has the Commission gone in its implementation so far? With a new briefing paper, ILGA-Europe set out five key points that have become clear in the first year of implementation of the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy.
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Fill out the consultation on equality bodies in the EUEU citizens and LGBTI organisations can give feedback to the European Commission about the mandates of equality bodies in the EU. Many equality bodies do not address discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), and even where they do, how this is implemented varies across Member States. Your feedback is crucial for making the argument for the inclusion of these grounds. Even if you do not have experience with equality bodies, your feedback is still helpful as it helps build the argumentation.
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Freedom of expression |
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Atlas of Hate activists acquitted from first trial of charges of defamation for their activismOn 29 December 2021, the activists of the Atlas of Hate, an online map launched in 2019 that tracks which Polish municipalities have adopted anti-LGBT resolutions, won their first case of 8 court cases initiated by far-right organisation Ordo Iuris on behalf of local governments, who accuse them of defamation. The number of cases and the charges of defamation for stating factual information of public interest, show that the activists are being targeted with SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation) – a form of legal harassment used by the wealthy and powerful to obstruct activism.
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Defendants of Polish “Rainbow Halo” trial acquitted again during appeal hearingOn 12 January, defendants in the “Rainbow Halo” trial in Poland, Ela, Anna and Joanna, were acquitted of charges of “offending religious beliefs” for their posters with the image of the Virgin Mary with a rainbow halo from 2019. They had faced up to 2 years in prison and they had originally been acquitted on 2 March 2021. This trial was an appeal trial, and the Polish Ministry of Justice has already indicated that they intend to use an extraordinary complaint to appeal again. (Photo credit: Amnesty Polska)
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Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Hungary’s decision to hold anti-LGBT referendumOn 13 January, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja MijatoviΔ published a press release condemning the Hungarian government’s decision to hold a referendum on children’s access to information concerning sexual orientation and gender identity issues on the same day as the national elections – 3 April. She also notes that in December 2021 the Venice Commission deemed the anti-LGBT amendments in the child protection law as incompatible with international human rights norms.
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Uzbekistan sentences blogging LGBT supporter to three yearsOn 21 January, the blogger Miraziz Bazarov was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom for slander in Uzbekistan. Last year in March Bazarov attempted to organise a K-Pop gathering which was labelled by religious groups as a “gay pride march”. A group of aggressive men took to the streets of Tashkent attacking young people who they perceived as LGBT people. Later the same day Bazarov was beaten and had to be hospitalised. Upon rehabilitation he was detained for instigating the riots. Blogger Bazarov became popular for publicly criticising Uzbek authorities for insufficient use of foreign aid when tackling the pandemic. In one of his blogs, he also called for decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations between men in Uzbekistan. Bloggers in Uzbekistan have long been under strict surveillance and control by the Uzbek authorities. In January the authorities reportedly banned bloggers from covering the unrests in neighbouring Kazakhstan. (Photo credit: Miraziz Bazarov – Facebook)
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Health |
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Greece lifted ban on blood donation for men who have sex with menAs of 10 January, men who have had same-sex sexual relations can donate blood in Greece, following the lifting of a decades-old ban. The Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris and his deputy, Mina Gaga, signed a ministerial decree creating a new form that prospective blood donors must complete. The new document removes same-sex acts from the list of criteria debarring someone from donating blood. It will come into force upon publication in the Government Gazette.
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France will allow everyone to donate blood regardless of their sexual orientationOn 11 January, the French Minister of Health Olivier Véran announced that everyone regardless of their sexual orientation will be able to donate bloods. Jérôme Salomon, France's director-general of health, added that references to sexual orientation will be removed from blood donor forms. France has currently a restriction on gay and bisexual men who had sexual activity within the last year. The new regulation will come into force on 16 March.
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Legal gender recognition |
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Lithuania will ease name change procedures for trans peopleOn 31 December 2021, Lithuanian Justice Minister Evelina Dobrovolska signed an order allowing trans people to change their names. This means that trans persons may apply for name change via regular civil registry without the need to resort to court proceedings. However, it now prescribes additional imperative requirements of F.64.0 diagnosis as well as the authorisation by the Ministry of Justice. The new regulation will come into force on 2 February 2022.
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Notice board |
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The EL*C has two new vacanciesThe EL*C – EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community is recruiting for two new positions: a Finance and Administration Manager and a Media, Journalism and Communications Dykerector. Both of the positions have a 1 year contract (with the possibility of extension) and are remote. The EL*C – EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community is a non-governmental organisation, representing the needs of lesbian, queer, bi and trans women and of lesbian organisations, formally established in 2017 in Vienna, Austria.
Read more and apply before 13 February. |
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TGEU seeks for an Operations/Grants OfficerTGEU is looking for a full time Operations/Grants Officer who will be working in the Operations team to be responsible for providing administrative, financial, and human resources services in order to ensure effective and accurate operations of the organisation in compliance with German and funder regulations. The position is located in Berlin, Germany. Due to COVID relocation challenges and funding restrictions, preference may be given to applicants who are eligible to work in Germany; however, all are welcome to apply.
Read more and apply before 7 February. |
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OHCHR is hiring for an Associate Human Rights ExpertThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has a vacancy for an Associate Human Rights Expert on the human rights of LGBTI people, gender equality and women’s rights, based in Geneva. Only nationals of these countries are eligible to apply: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen and Zambia.
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The European Institute for Gender Equality hires a Communications and Media OfficerThe European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is organising a call for applications with a view to establishing a reserve list for the post of Communications and Media Officer. Based in Vilnius Lithuania, EIGE is a regulatory agency of the European Union (EU) entrusted with specific objectives envisaged to contribute to, and strengthen the promotion of gender equality. To be considered eligible for selection, an applicant must have the nationality of an EU Member State.
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Apply for grants to advance digital rights in EuropeThe Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) is currently accepting grant applications to support for strategic litigation to advance digital rights in Europe. DFF provides two types of grant support: Litigation track support for litigation of a case and Pre-litigation research support for activities to prepare for litigation. DFF also welcomes applications for projects that fall outside these general thematic focus areas if they can contribute to advancing the respect for human rights in the digital sphere.
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Rainbow Digest December 2021
ILGA-Europe |
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Happy 25th birthday, ILGA-Europe!Time flies! ILGA-Europe was founded at the 18th ILGA European Conference in Madrid held 27-31 December 1996. Over the holidays, tune in to our channels as our staff, board, members and supporters from throughout the years look back on 25 years of building a strong, unified and resilient European LGBTI movement, taking huge strides forward for LGBTI rights and equality. Today, as anti-LGBTI forces across Europe are gaining strength, our vital work must continue.
Show your solidarity by giving 25 euro (or whatever you can afford) to mark 25 years of activism, and help our commitment to a future when all LGBTI people will live in equality. |
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Three exciting opportunities to join our Programmes TeamThere are currently 3 exciting opportunities to join ILGA-Europe’s Programmes Team. Do you want to lead ILGA-Europe’s efforts to ensure the LGBTI movement has the funding, knowledge and skills they need? Consider becoming our next Programmes Director (apply by 17 January). Do you enjoy supporting organisations and activists in their efforts to shape public narratives, raise awareness and change public attitudes? Apply for the position of Senior Programmes Officer (deadline 10 January). Are you good at organising learning and coaching activities to support LGBTI activists’ communications work? Consider applying for a temporary consultancy opportunity (deadline 17 January).
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New resources on supporting LGBTI migrantsTo mark International Migrants Day, we have published two key resources for LGBTI organisations who wish to support migrants, both in their country of departure and their destination country. You can read the resources on The Hub, ILGA-Europe’s free resource sharing centre for LGBTI activists in Europe and Central Asia.
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5 profound lessons we learned from working with disabled LGBTI activists and organisationsMaking our work more inclusive is at the core of ILGA-Europe’s purpose. This is especially true in the case of disabled LGBTI people, who continue to be marginalised in our movement. In 2019 we hosted a gathering of 11 of D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activists from nine countries throughout the European region who clarified their priorities with us: connecting voices, visibility, educating organisations, and the fundamental necessity for D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people to lead this work. Following this initiative, we launched a funding call aimed at developing projects that would support activism at this intersection. In a new blog, we share some of our learnings from working alongside disabled LGBTI activists.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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EU holds firm in face of Hungary’s blatant lies surrounding anti-LGBTI lawOn 2 December, the European Commission began the second phase of its infringement procedure against EU member state, Hungary, due to discriminatory amendments adopted on 23 June in the country, which ban the "portrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality”. Hungary now has two months to remedy the breaches identified by the Commission. If they do not amend the law to remove the breaching anti-LGBTI provisions, then the Commission will refer the case to the CJEU.
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Hungary’s anti-LGBT amendments incompatible with international human rights standards says Venice CommissionOn 14 December, the constitutional law experts of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission published their opinion on Hungary’s June 2021 law which targets LGBT people: the law breaches the ECHR, and democratic and rule of law standards. “The Venice Commission recalls that gender as a component of personal identity and homosexuality as a variation of sexual orientation, are protected under the ECHR and as such, cannot be deemed contrary to morals by public authorities, in the sense of Article 10§2 of ECHR.” Taking into account the democratic requirement of a fair and proper treatment of minorities, and the lack of reasonable and objective criteria to justify the anti-LGBT prohibitions in the law, the Venice Commission confirms the law discriminates on the basis of SOGI.
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The far-right party VOX attempts to deny a wide range of rights to LGBTI people in MadridOn 15 December, ILGA-Europe sent a letter to Spain’s Partido Popular, concerning a vote on 16 December in the Madrid regional assembly, requesting them to reject a parliamentary draft which would remove or water down the LGTBI Law and the Trans Law. Both laws were passed in 2016 with a wide consensus within the regional chamber. The draft was brought into parliament by the far-right party VOX, and can only be turned down if the Partido Popular rejects it. (Photo by Zarateman)
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Alarming new research shows how LGBTI people are affected every day by inequalityRecent data shows that LGBTI young people perceive the labour market with fear and that most of LGBTI youth living with their families have experienced violence in different parts of Europe. These are among the alarming facts related to the impact of inequality and oppression in LGBTI communities, as identified through ILGA-Europe’s No One Left Behind initiative, which supported projects addressing socio-economic barriers for LGBTI communities in Europe and Central Asia. (Photo credit: Sand Crain / Unsplash)
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Joint NGO letter concerning human rights and rule of law violations of Poland and HungaryOn 8 December, ILGA-Europe joined Amnesty and 16 other civil society organisations to call on the EU General Affairs Council and upcoming French Presidency to clearly state what is expected from Hungary and Poland authorities to remedy the long list of human rights and rule of law violations as part of the Article 7 (1) TEU procedure.
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Civil society calls on the EU to put fundamental rights first in the Artificial Intelligence ActOn 30 November, 115 civil society organisations, including ILGA-Europe, European Digital Rights (EDRi) and others launched a collective statement to call for an Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) which foregrounds fundamental rights. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly being used in all areas of public life. However, the lack of adequate regulation on the development and deployment of AI-powered technology poses a threat to our digital and human rights. That is why the European Union (EU) institutions' proposal for an AIA is a globally significant step. But the AIA must address the structural, societal, political and economic impacts of the use of AI. This will ensure that the law is future-proof, and prioritises the protection of fundamental rights.
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Family |
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Top EU court recognises relationship of same-sex parents and their children under EU lawOn 14 December, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that if one EU member state recognises a parental relationship between a child and its parents, then all member states should, in order to give the child it’s right to freedom of movement. The CJEU ruled that it is contrary to the fundamental rights for the child to be deprived of the relationship with one of her parents when exercising her right of free movement or for her exercise of that right to be made impossible or excessively difficult on the ground that her parents are of the same sex. The ruling asserts that the Bulgarian authorities are obliged to issue an identity card or a passport to Baby Sara, which all other EU Member States are obliged to recognise.
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Freedom of assembly |
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“Authorities failed to prevent IDAHOT event from the violent counter-demonstration in Georgia” the Court rulesOn 16 December, the European Court Of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a judgment on the case of WISG and Others v Georgia, concerning homophobic attacks and violence against the peaceful demonstrators and LGBTI activists during the IDAHOT March in 2013. The Court found violation of Article 3 (prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment) together with Article 14 (non-discrimination) due to authorities’ failure to prevent IDAHOT event from the violent counter-demonstration, referring to the “indications of official acquiescence, connivance and even active participation in individual acts motivated by prejudice.” The Court further found that the authorities failed their obligations under violation of Article 11 (freedom of assembly) together with Article 14 (non-discrimination) by omitting to put in place effective measures to protect the applicants and ensuring peaceful gathering.
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Hate crime and hate speech |
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European Commission includes LGBTI people in initiative to tackle hate crime and hate speechOn 9 December, with its initiative to tackle hate crime and hate speech across the European Union, the European Commission has recognised ever-growing violence and hate speech against LGBTI people by including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) as protected grounds in the second step of the initiative. By doing so, the Commission has drawn attention to the prevalence of bias motivated violence and incitement against LGBTI people due to historical and structural discrimination and oppression, and sends a signal to the criminal justice system, potential perpetrators and victims of hate crime or hate speech that hate crime and hate speech against LGBTI people should be taken seriously.
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New ECHR judgment concerning failure of authorities in Moldova to investigate a homophobic attackOn 14 December, the European Court of Human Rights issued a judgment in a case concerning failure of authorities in Moldova to investigate violence against a man who was the victim of a homophobic attack, on the grounds of sexual orientation. The court stressed that “The absence of such a meaningful investigation undermines public confidence in the State’s anti-discrimination policy”, and found a violation of Article 3 (prohibition of torture, procedural limb) and Article 14 (non-discrimination).
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Health |
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French parliament voted to ban so-called conversion therapyOn 14 December, France's parliament voted to ban so-called conversion therapy which are practices that seek to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the proposed legislation, people offering “conversion therapy” could be jailed for up to two years and fined 30,000 euros, with even tougher sentences if under-18s or vulnerable adults were involved. The bill needs to be signed by the President before coming into effect.
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Human rights defenders |
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Council of Europe’s new report on current challenges faced by LGBTI human rights defendersOn 9 December, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja MijatoviΔ published a comprehensive report on the challenges faced by LGBTI human rights defenders in Europe. The report mentions restrictions on civil society and their impact on LGBTI human rights defenders, “anti-gender” and “anti-transgender” narratives, the COVID-19 pandemic, other challenges that LGBTI people face.
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Meet these powerful activists in the intersection of LGBTI and disabilitiesThis International Day of Persons With Disabilities, ILGA-Europe had interviews with Dina, Ingrid and Louise; three LGBTI activists with disabilities based in different parts of Europe. They’re fighting for disabled LGBTI people to have a seat in LGBTI movements, and for equal rights in society. They told us about their aims and activism, and how everyone can be an ally under their motto: Nothing about us without us!
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Legal gender recognition |
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New strategy to support gender identity services in ScotlandOn 20 December, the Scottish Government launched a brand-new three year strategic action framework for transforming gender identity services. The Strategic Action Framework includes a series of commitments which will support and fund new work to address waiting times for accessing services, bring gender identity services within national waiting times standards, support new multidisciplinary models of delivering care, increase support available for people waiting to access services, improve collection of data and develop national standards for services, and provide a sustainable platform for gender identity service improvement from 2022.
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Notice board |
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New EU funding to support cancer screening, diagnosis and careLGBTIQ populations experience increased stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, including with respect to cancer care, though there remains little data about incidence rates or mortality. A new EU funding stream within EU4Health, focused on breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening programmes, provides an important opportunity to increase available data and improve detection services.
Read more and apply before 17 February 2022. |
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ILGA World is hiring for the position of Membership and Admin OfficerILGA World seeks a Membership and Admin Officer to manage, develop and grow ILGA World’s membership, as well as manage the operations of the Geneva-based office. The role of the Membership and Admin officer is to support the membership of over 1,700 organisations worldwide, support regional offices with membership matters, manage the database (CRM), and develop process related to membership. Deadline for applications is Friday 21 January 2022, 1pm CET.
Read more and apply. |
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OII Europe is looking for a Policy Officer and Senior Policy OfficerOII Europe is looking for a 60% (24h/week) Policy Officer and a full time (40h/week) Senior Policy Officer to strengthen their policy team. Fields of advocacy will include, among others, intersex genital mutilation; gender based and domestic violence; hate speech and hate crime; inclusion of intersex people in anti-discrimination and victims’ rights policies and legislative frameworks; access to justice; societal and legal recognition of intersex people.
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ESWA has two job vacanciesEuropean Sex Workers' Rights Alliance – ESWA is recruiting a part-time Campaign and Communication Officer and a part-time Researcher. The Campaign and Communication Officer will be responsible for developing and leading campaigns for sex workers’ rights using our newly developed website and managing the organisation’s external communication. The Researcher will develop, lead and write research on access to justice and support the development of other resources related to ESWA Advocacy Priorities (including health, migration, gender, anti-racism, trafficking and digital rights).
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IGLYO is seeking a Communications OfficerIGLYO is seeking a Communications Officer with skills in content creation for social media and copywriting. They are looking for a pro-active, communicative and LGBTQI policy-savvy person, wishing to lead the IGLYO team into strategic and effective communication, and bringing the added abilities and skills necessary for good design, video making, and maintaining websites.
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Rainbow Digest November 2021
ILGA-Europe |
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New episode of the podcast: Navigating change as an LGBTI activistIn the latest episode of our podcast, The Frontline, our Executive Director Evelyne Paradis is joined by queer activist Natia Gvianishvili from Georgia to talk about resilience and self-empowerment in the LGBTI movement at a time of great change in the world. Director at Women's Initiatives Supporting Group, Natia has been actively engaged with local, regional and international LGBTI and feminist movements for over 10 years, and she currently also works with the Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights.
Listen to the new episode on your favourite podcast platform. Have a look at the previous episodes. |
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What we learned at Europe’s largest online LGBTI conferenceIn a new blog post, Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe reflects on the annual Gathering, the online version of Europe and Central Asia’s LGBTI conference, and what it affirmed for the movement at this time of momentous change.
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Holiday gifts in support of ILGA-EuropeLooking for Christmas gift ideas? We’ve gathered some from our creative and talented supporters and supportive brands. Sylvia Pride Earrings, by feminist and queer art store Ctrl Art Del, and Onda Pride Ring by Belgian jewellery brand Georgina Sanginés both support our work with 10% of profits. Berlin-based design agency ag-prop have created a unique poster based on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Europe 2021 data, with €10 from each one sold donated to our work, while Portuguese brand TOINO ABEL will donate €20 from each of their sold rainbow dyed reed basket. Rainbow Stories is both a storybook for children and guide for parents, available in English and Italian with all proceeds donated to ILGA-Europe. Finally, when you purchase from underwear brand Andrew Christian’s Project Love collection online, you can add a donation to ILGA-Europe when checking out.
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Asylum |
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Joint call on the EU: Restore rights and values at Europe’s bordersOn 26 November, ILGA-Europe, along with the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and other civil society and professional organisations, called upon the European Union to ensure a clear-headed response to the situation of asylum seekers at the borders with Belarus, which includes a firm defence of the right to asylum of people with particular attention to vulnerable groups, including LGBTI people.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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Spanish government is urged to withdraw from any attempts to criminalise sex workFollowing the announcement made on 17 October by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his party's congress about his very personal commitment to “abolish prostitution,” ILGA-Europe joined and the European Sex Workers’ rights Alliance (ESWA) and 11 other civil society organisations in calling on the Spanish government to withdraw from attempts to criminalise sex work. The signatory organisations firmly oppose the criminalisation of sex work (sex workers, clients or third parties).
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New campaign video with trans allies expressing support for trans persons in SloveniaOn 22 November, ILGA-Europe member organisation TransAkcija in Slovenia, published a YouTube video of interviews with 20 trans allies presenting a unique message: “Trans people are among us.” With the video campaign, TransAkcija aims at expressing support for trans persons and topics from a diverse group of members of the general society. The video was supported by ILGA-Europe’s Creating Opportunities programme and can be a useful tool for learning about trans topics, breaking stereotypes and an inspiration for tackling transphobia.
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Family |
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Take part in an international research study about same-sex couplesThe Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is looking for participants for a research study about socialisation among same-sex couples who have children conceived through ART (assisted reproduction techniques). The research team at ULB is taking part in an international study with research teams from Israel, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.
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Freedom of association |
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The Russian LGBT Network labelled as a ‘foreign agent’ and targeted by a smear campaignOn 8 November, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation designated the Russian LGBT Network as a ‘foreign agent’ organisation. On 12 November, the MoJ also designated Igor Kochetkov, the co-founder of the Network, as a “foreign agent” media in his individual capacity. At the same time, the Russian LGBT Network, its partner “Sphere” Charitabel Foundation, as well as its former and current leadership were targeted in several broadcasts by the federal media, in what appears to be another turn of the state-sponsored smear and intimidation campaign against LGBTI groups and activists.
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Hate crime |
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LGBTI community centre attacked in SofiaOn 30 October, an LGBTI community centre was attacked in Sofia, Bulgaria. During a trans community gathering, a group of about 10 people stormed the office, punching one of Bilitis’ employees in the face and vandalising the space – smashing equipment and furniture. One of the attackers, and also the person who assaulted the Bilitis employee, is Boyan Rasate, founder and leader of the far-right Bulgarian National Union, and candidate for the Presidential elections which took place on 14 November. Rasate has been charged with hooliganism with extreme audacity. Bulgarian activists are demanding proper investigation and prosecution of all those who committed the crime, including Rasate, for the relevant government figures and institutions to publicly condemn this attack, and for SOGIESC based hate crimes to be included in the Criminal Code.
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“The murders of 375 trans and gender-diverse people were reported last yearOn the occasion of the International Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR), TGEU released the 2021 update of Trans Murder Monitoring (TMM). The murders of 375 trans and gender-diverse people were reported between October 2020 and September 2021, according to the latest TMM update, and 2021 is set to be the deadliest year for trans communities since TGEU began collecting data. The data shows that a total of 4042 trans and gender-diverse people reported being murdered between 1 January 2008 and 30 September 2021.
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Health |
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First ever European-wide HIV stigma survey launchedThe European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), AIDS Action Europe (AAE) and the EU HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and TB Civil Society Forum (CSF) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) launched the first ever European-wide HIV stigma survey. The purpose of this survey is to ask people living with HIV across Europe and Central Asia about their experience of stigma. The results from this survey will be used to inform decision and policy makers on the importance of addressing stigma among people living with HIV.
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European Commission calls for grant applications on promotion of healthy lifestylesThe European Commission launched a call for grants to support the ‘HealthyLifestyle4All’ initiative by strengthening the health literacy component for the promotion of healthy lifestyles with a focus on the school setting, ensuring equal access to the activities by all socio-economic groups, and thereby reducing health inequalities. The grants were established under the EU4Health Regulation which was adopted to support Member States in building stronger, more resilient and accessible health systems as part of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2021-2027 period. Deadline for grant applications is 25 January 2022, 17:00 (CET).
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Join EMSP’s Young People’s Network and advocate for the equality of people with MSThe European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) established the Young People’s Network, a place where young people advocate of the multiple sclerosis (MS) movement, share their unique stories to create change and connections with other MSers across the EU. You can join this active network and campaigns where you can tell your individual stories.
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Legal gender recognition |
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Dutch government publicly apologises trans people who were forcibly sterilisedOn 27 November, the Dutch government publicly apologised trans and intersex people and announced the start of the implementation of their commitment to provide reparations to trans people who were previously required to be sterilised to have legal gender recognition between 1985 and 2014.
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Sexual and reproductive rights |
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Spain expands the access to assisted reproduction techniques to single women, lesbians, bisexuals and trans peopleOn 5 November, the Ministry of Health in Spain expended the access to assisted reproduction techniques (including IVF) in public healthcare to single women, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people. “We hope to see this model put forth as a good practice so that other countries can learn and follow suit," said Cianan Russell, Senior Policy Officer at ILGA-Europe. (Photo source: FELGTBI+)
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Notice board |
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ILGA World seeks a Director of ProgrammesILGA World seeks a Director of Programmes to conceptualise, lead and oversee the programmatic work of the organisation, to supervise the Programmes Team staff and to strategically develop ILGA World’s programmatic work. In addition, the Director of Programmes will be responsible to oversee and deliver the programme of the upcoming 30th ILGA World Conference. Deadline for applications is Friday 3 December.
Read more and apply for the position of the Director of Programmes. Check out ILGA World’s other opportunities, including junior consultancies. |
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PICUM’s job vacancy for Advocacy Officer – Access to Justice and HealthPICUM, the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, is looking for an experienced advocacy professional to lead the creation, implementation and assessment of its advocacy strategy on access to justice and health to achieve safe reporting for undocumented people who have been victimised and for the further development of PICUM’s work on anti-racism and discriminatory policing and profiling. The deadline for applications is Thursday, 16 December at midnight (CET).
Read more and apply. |
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GATE is looking for a Program Officer and a Communications AssistantGATE is hiring a Program Officer to lead the organisation’s work to increase the capacity of trans, gender diverse and intersex movements to respond to anti-gender movements operating at the international, regional and national levels. GATE is also seeking a Part-Time Communications Assistant who will assist with all aspects of communications work under the supervision of the Communications Manager.
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Call for grant applications to advance digital rights in EuropeThe Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) announced a call for grant applications to support for strategic litigation to advance digital rights in Europe. DFF provides two types of grant support: Litigation track support for litigation of a case and Pre-litigation research support for activities to prepare for litigation. DFF will accept grant applications from 24 January to 1 March 2022.
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Rainbow Digest October 2021
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 313. October 2021. In this issue… ILGA-Europe
Diversity Equality and non-discrimination
Hate crime and hate speech Health
Freedom of assembly Notice board |
ILGA-Europe |
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Our second Gathering Online reflected on the power of us in times of changeThe Gathering Online 2021, our second online alternative to an in-person ILGA-Europe conference, took place between 25 and 29 October. This year’s online event focused on how we can harness The Power of Us at this time, when the change brought about by the rising anti-LGBTI forces, the COVID-19 pandemic and many other socio-economic and environmental changes are altering our world in ways in which we don’t fully understand yet, and are affecting LGBTI communities in adverse ways.
Watch back the opening plenary “The Power of Us in Times of Change.” Watch back the closing panel discussing cross-movement solidarity. |
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Listen to the podcast focusing on LGBTI activism in a changing worldOur new mini-season of the Frontline podcast focuses on the incredible work done by LGBTI activists across Europe at a time of great change in the world, the challenges they face in doing the work, and some of the key ways they are addressing those challenges. We also look at how ILGA-Europe is supporting and underpinning that work, and the ways in which activists and organisations are responding.
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Decriminalisation |
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PACE calls for decriminalisation of same-sex relations in Uzbekistan and TurkmenistanOn 1 October, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) issued a written declaration on the decriminalisation of same-sex relations in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. ILGA-Europe call upon the European Union and the Council of Europe to ensure that decriminalisation of same-sex relations is a cornerstone of partnership and cooperation with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, voluntary sexual relations between two men are punishable by imprisonment under their Criminal Codes. Due to the widespread failure to understand the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity among the general public and law enforcement, this law negatively impacts all of the LGBT community in both countries.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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“Equality Bodies are the safety-net to ensure protection"On 18 October, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja MijatoviΔ gave an opening speech at the annual seminar on equality bodies, organised by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). "When political leaders are failing in their responsibility to promote equality and human rights, national legislation and human rights structures, such as yours [Equality Bodies'], are the safety-net to ensure protection" said-she.
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40th anniversary of landmark Dudgeon v UK judgmentOn 22 October, it was the 40th anniversary of landmark Dudgeon v UK judgment by the European Court of Human Rights, which led to decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in Europe. ILGA-Europe marked the anniversary: “Now as then, strategic litigation plays an important role for the advancement of LGBTI rights and an important part of our work.” The Council of Europe SOGI Unit launched a video of interviews with the participation of Jeffrey Dudgeon, Tim Eicke (the Judge in respect of the UK, European Court of Human Rights), Arpi Avetisyan (Head of Litigation, ILGA Europe) and LGBTI persons' rights advocates Brian Gilmore, Richard Kennedy and Douglas Sobey. (Photo by the Council of Europe)
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New website launched about being intersex in EuropeTo mark Intersex Awareness Day on 26 October, OII Europe and NNID Foundation launched a new website thisisintersex.org, talking about being intersex in Europe and the issues intersex people combat daily. The goal of the website is to increase the knowledge on intersex human rights issues in Europe, contributing to the overarching goal of reaching more acceptance.
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Hate crime and hate speech |
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Italian Senate voted down a bill that would protect LGBTI people from hatredOn 27 October, the Italian Senate voted down a bill to protect LGBTI people, women and disabled people from hate crime and speech. Italy’s Lower House had already approved the bill but following misinformation on freedom of speech, the Senate blocked the law with a majority of 23 votes. “Now, EU legislation on hate crime and speech is needed” said ILGA-Europe in their reaction to the vote.
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Health |
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France plans to ban so-called “conversion therapies”On 5 October, the French Assemblée Nationale passed a bill banning so-called “conversion therapies” on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill, adopted unanimously in the Assemblée, contains provisions to ban these practices entirely, with enhanced penalties for inflicting the practices on minors. The bill will next go to the Senate.
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“The time is now to create an intersectional long-term Mental Health Strategy”On 20 October, the Mental Health Advocacy Platform, in which ILGA-Europe is a member, released a statement calling on the European Commission to develop and adopt a Mental Health Strategy that takes an intersectional approach and can meet everyone’s diverse needs. A comprehensive long-term European Mental Health Strategy is essential to tackle inequalities in mental health care, support prevention and early intervention services.
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New briefing paper on mental health services for people living with HIVTo mark the World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) shared a briefing paper with recommendations emerging to improve the provision of mental health services for people living with and affected by HIV in Europe and Central Asia. The recommendations are addressed to European and national health policy makers, agencies and donors, healthcare professionals and specialty societies, research institutions and researchers, civil society and community-based organisations working with people living with, affected by or at risk of HIV. The briefing paper is available in English and Russian.
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Second round of EU4Health calls launchedThe European Commission launched a call for grants to support the implementation of best practices in community-based services for HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections. The grants were established under the EU4Health Regulation which was adopted to support Member States in building stronger, more resilient and accessible health systems as part of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2021-2027 period. Deadline for grant applications is 25 January 2022, 17:00 (CET).
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Join the webinar about trans depathologisation in a time of anti-gender movementsTo mark the International Day of Action for Trans Depathologisation, GATE launched a call for their webinar ‘Trans Depathologisation in a time of Anti-Gender Movements’ which will take place on 4 November. According to GATE, next year, the implementation of the ICD-11 will officially begin and States will work to make a reality the removal of categories that identified being trans as a mental disorder, implementing new pathways to legal gender recognition, gender affirming healthcare and its coverage.
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Freedom of assembly |
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Turkey acquits 19 LGBTI+ Pride marchersOn 8 October, 18 students and one academic who were detained, charged and prosecuted for their participation in a peaceful LGBTI+ Pride march at Turkey’s Middle East Technical University (METU) in the city of Ankara on 10 May 2019 were acquitted, having faced charges of “participating in an unlawful assembly” and “failing to disperse despite being warned” and up to three years in prison. (Photo by ÜniKuir)
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Trans-led organisations can apply for International Trans Fund’s grantsThe International Trans Fund (ITF) announced their 6th grant cycle for applications from trans-led organisations with budgets below $100,000 USD based in any region of the world. The ITF has two grant types: The SEED grant is a 1-year general support and/or project grant for trans-led organisations that have never been funded by the ITF. The THRIVE grant is a 1-year general support grant only for trans-led organisations that have been previously funded by the ITF. The deadline to apply is 5 December, 2021 at 5pm (ET/New York time).
Read more and apply. |
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New toolkit for engaging with businessWorkplace Pride and Open For Business have launched a new toolkit to help LGBTI activists more effectively and meaningfully engage with private sector businesses. The Civil Society Business Toolkit provides a practical approach to interacting with businesses and building partnerships and includes case studies from LGBTI activists.
Read more and download the toolkit. |
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Register for the webinars about faith and LGBT+A.Ge.D.O., an organisation of parents of LGBT+ persons, is organising a series of webinars about faith and LGBT+ in an attempt to bridge the gaps between laic and faith-based LGBT+ organisations. The webinars are free and will take place online on 11, 18, 25 November and 9 December.
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Join Europe's first trans leaders academyTGEU launched its Trans Leaders Academy, the first-ever e-learning platform for emerging trans activists in Europe. It aims at supporting, connecting, and elevating a new generation of trans leaders. The online academy kicks off with a series of courses on trans leadership developed by trans experts. Participants will be able to follow, at their own pace, courses in various formats, such as videos, quizzes, and external resources, to strengthen skills and sustainably lead and organise communities.
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Join BIPOC sex worker academyAs part of it's new anti-racism program, the European Sex Workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA – formerly ICRSE) announced the launch of their BIPOC Sex Worker Academy, along with its scholarship program. Only BIPOC sex worker activists (including but not limited to representatives of ESWA member organisations) are eligible to apply. The Academy will take place between January 25 and 28, 2022 in Brussels. This training is aimed to fill the participants knowledge gaps around funding, public speaking, conflict resolution, and addressing white privilege within their organisations. ESWA offers 20 full scholarships.
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Rainbow Digest September 2021
ILGA-Europe |
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We seek a writer to create web contentWe are looking for a content creator to write content for the relaunch of the ILGA-Europe website. Content provider will deliver a website copy with a word count of at least 15,000 and will participate in three meetings — one briefing meeting, one check-in/Q&A meeting, and one feedback meeting. There may be extra meetings, which will be paid at the agreed rate. Deadline for applications is October, 14 2021 at 17:00 PM CEST.
Read more and apply. |
Diversity |
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#BiVisibilityDay: Meet these bold activists fighting against invisi(bi)lityTo mark Bi Visibility Day 2021, we interviewed seven bi activists from across Europe and Central Asia about debunking myths, their hopes for the future, and their place within LGBTI communities. We hear from Rachael Moore from Belgium, Diana Arseneva from Kyrgyzstan, Paula Cerescu from Moldova, Leopold Lindelauff from Belgium, Cherine Mathot from The Netherlands, Verity Ritchie from Slovenia, and Stefan Šparavalo from Serbia.
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The disturbing inequality of being older and LGBTIMany older LGBTI people remain invisible to other elderly people, while suffering ageism within their own LGBTI communities and legal and socio-economic barriers in their countries. To mark International Day of Older Persons on October 1, we look at the worrying obstacles LGBTI people may face as they age in Europe, even in countries where LGBTI rights are ensured.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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MEPs call on the EU to identify gender-based violence as crimeOn 16 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that calls on the EU to identify gender-based violence as a new area of crime. The resolution demands targeted legislation and policies to address all forms of violence and discrimination based on gender (against women and girls, but also against LGBTIQ+ persons), whether offline or online. The EP also calls the EU to establish the prerequisite legal basis for common minimum rules on gender-based violence.
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Civil society recommendations: how the Commission can improve the credibility, inclusiveness and impact of the Rule of Law ReportOn 22 September, civil society, human rights defenders, journalists’ organisations, other media actors and other non-government stakeholders issued a joint statement on the EU rule of law report and gave recommendations on how the Commission can improve the credibility, inclusiveness and impact of the Rule of Law Report.
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PACE strongly condemns so-called “honour” crimesOn 28 September, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution condemning so-called “honour” crimes which can take the form of murder, sequestration, abduction, torture, mutilation, burning, forced suicide, forced marriage, or conversion therapy. We are delighted to see so-called “honour” crimes explained in such an inclusive and thoughtful way in terms of their impact on LGBTI people.
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EP: “Same-sex marriages and partnerships should be recognised across the EU”On 14 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution which calls on the European Union to ensure that LGBTI people are equal to other people when exercising their rights to freedom of movement in the EU with their families, including the full implementation of the European Court of Justice’s Coman judgement. The resolution also urges all EU countries to accept the adults mentioned in a child’s birth certificate as their legal parents.
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European Court rules in favour of the best interest of the child in same-sex custody caseIn a judgement released on 16 September on the case of X. v Poland, the European Court of Human Rights found the refusing a mother custody of her youngest child on the grounds of her sexual orientation as discriminatory and a violation of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) in conjunction with Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) of the applicant. ILGA-Europe had intervened in this case jointly with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Network of European LGBTIQ* Families (NELFA).
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New resource available on inclusive family lawLGBT komiteen (Denmark) published an English translation of its Compendium of Inclusive Family Law, which contains a thorough analysis of Danish legislation related to parents and children and lists 30 recommendations for amendments. It also contains a sketch of a Children's Act which recognises more than two legal parents and which is agnostic to the gender of the parents enabling a proper handling of trans parents.
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Swiss voters in favour of marriage equalityOn 26 September, Switzerland held a referendum on a law granting full marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples. Some 64.1% of voters accepted the reform, and none of the 26 cantons came out against it. Switzerland is now the 17th country in Europe to have marriage equality.
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Freedom of expression |
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A book about two men’s love is censored in TurkeyOn 10 September, English author Alice Oseman’s comic book Heartstopper, which depicts the love of two men and was published in Turkish in the past months, was declared as an obscene publication as a result of the decision of the Ministry of Family and Social Services Protection of Minors from Obscene Publications Board. ILGA-Europe expressed solidarity with the LGBTI community in Turkey “who are facing a relentless attack on their human rights, including the right to freedom of expression”.
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“LGBT Free Zones” are reduced by half in PolandOn 22 September, the ΕwiΔtokrzyskie region in Poland repealed its anti-LGBT resolution, that was adopted in June 2019. On 27 September, the regions of Podkarpackie, MaΕopolskie and Lubelskie also voted to repeal anti-LGBT resolutions, reducing “LGBT free zones” in Poland by half. While all regions in Poland should repeal these resolutions, the EU needs to ensure that ΕwiΔtokrzyskie and the regions that follow suit go beyond just avoiding withdrawal of funding and actually abide by the principle of non-discrimination fully respecting EU treaties and legislation.
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Deterioration of media freedom and the rule of law in Poland impact LGBTI rightsIn a resolution adopted on 16 September, the European Parliament condemned the continuing deterioration of media freedom and the rule of law in Poland. The EP resolution shows how deterioration of media freedom and the rule of law impact LGBTI rights: from SLAPPs against LGBTI activists, to discriminatory application of EU funds, to state controlled media conducting smear campaigns against LGBTI people. ILGA-Europe welcome upcoming EP and EC initiatives against SLAPPs, the work to ensure EU funds are not spent in a discriminatory way and the EP launching conversation about direct management of EU funds to ensure they reach beneficiaries in need, when rule of law conditionality needs to be triggered. (Photo credit: Janek Skarzynski / AFP via European Parliament)
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Legal gender recognition |
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Court in UK reversed the judgment affecting trans young people’s access to puberty blockersOn 17 September, the United Kingdom’s Court of Appeal reversed the judgment handed down in Bell v Tavistock by the Divisional Court. The appeal judgment confirms that it is ultimately “for clinicians to exercise their judgment” around the referral of patients for puberty delaying treatment, seeing as how they are already “subject to professional regulation and oversight”. The judgment protects the right to health for trans youth and importantly reaffirms that trans youth should be assessed in the same way as their peers as to their competence.
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“Guidelines for the promotion and implementation of gender equality should be inclusive of all sexes/genders”On 21 September, OII Europe, TGEU, ILGA-Europe and IGLYO a joint statement expressing deep concerns about the exclusive binary perspective on sex and gender shown in the justification of the work item proposal “Guidelines for the promotion and implementation of gender equality” proposed by the French Association française de normalisation (AFNOR). Guidelines, in its current form and justification, is based on a strictly binary understanding of sex and gender, which will likely result in the exclusion of many trans, intersex, and non-binary people from the standard, and any resulting work, thus hindering efforts to reach full gender equality. OII Europe, TGEU, ILGA-Europe and IGLYO recommend not to adopt the work item proposal in its current form and strongly encourage ISO and its organizations to work on a new, more inclusive proposal.
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Three job opportunities at ILGA WorldILGA World is hiring for the positions of Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics (GIESC) Programme Manager; Senior Programme Officer – UN Special Procedures and Sustainable Development Goals; and Communications Officer. Deadline for applications is Monday 25 October 2021 (1pm Central European Time).
Read more and apply. |
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Registrations open for OutSummit 2021OutRight’s annual conference “OutSummit” is now open to registrations. OutSummit will be held virtually this year on 8-10 December, with sessions tailored to different time zones. It's open to everyone interested in learning more about LGBTIQ equality and how to better advance it, from across different sectors and countries. The conference theme this year centers on a basic demand – human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere.
Read more and register. |
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Call to collaboration for organisations working against sexual violenceMenaswell is a Dutch organisation against sexual violence against men, trans and non-binary people. They are currently working with COC, Rutgers NL, GayKrant and Bi+ on a round table discussion to be held on 2nd December, to discuss consent within the LGBT+ community. They also collaborate with GGD Amsterdam to extend existing provisions to include support for male victims of sexual violence. Additionally, they are advising the Ministry of Justice and government to ensure men are included in the forthcoming sexual violence bill. Menaswell is currently looking for organisations across Europe to build a coalition on this topic, in which to share knowledge and resources to build a safer LGBT+ community.
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Rainbow Digest August 2021
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Help transform realities for LGBTI communities across Europe and Central Asia.With your support we can do more. Make change happen here. No. 311. August 2021. In this issue… ILGA-Europe Asylum
Bodily integrity Decriminalisation Equality and non-discrimination
Freedom of assembly
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Join our team as a Grants and Finance OfficerAre you interested in making and managing grants, and supporting LGBTI groups in Europe and Central Asia in building financial management skills? We are hiring for a position of a Grants and Finance Officer. This role merges financial management and verification tasks with providing advice, training and coaching. We provide a great set of benefits (incl. many aiming at supporting staff who face intersectional exclusions), and manage the work permit process for non-EU citizens. Deadline to send applications is Sunday, 5 September 2021 (23:59 CEST).
Read more and apply. |
Asylum |
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Joint Statement: Current priorities for an EU response to the situation in AfghanistanAs European NGOs working on asylum and migration and Afghan Diaspora organisations in Europe, we are alarmed about the situation in Afghanistan and concerned above all about the security of the people of Afghanistan, both those within the country and those displaced and seeking protection in the region and beyond. In this context, it is crucial that the small proportion of displaced people who do arrive in Europe are given rapid access to a fair asylum procedure in line with European states’ obligations under EU and international law.
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5 urgent things the EU must do to help to protect Afghan women, girls and minorities at riskThe vast majority of displaced Afghans will likely be hosted in neighbouring countries. Since 2015, 570,000 Afghans have sought protection in the EU and associated countries. The majority received protection status. In contrast, by July 2021, Iran had hosted 800,000 registered refugees and up to 3 million other displaced Afghans. In Pakistan, there were 1.4 million registered refugees and up to 2 million other displaced Afghans. These figures have been increasing by the day. In addition, there are close to 5.5 million internally displaced people in the country. In a blog post, we listed five responses the EU and its member states must engage in to protect Afghans at risk. (Photo credit: Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona)
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Bodily integrity |
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Intersex Legal Toolkit is now available in GermanOII Germany has translated the Intersex Legal Toolkit into German, which was released in May 2019 by OII Europe and ILGA-Europe. The toolkit describes the areas of life in which intersex people are most vulnerable to violations on the basis of their sex characteristics, and provides detailed guidance on what to do to minimise or eliminate these violations, and is accompanied by a detailed appendix and a checklist for policymakers.
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Decriminalisation |
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President of Uzbekistan should immediately prohibit torturous examsAuthorities in Uzbekistan have subjected at least six men to forced anal examinations between 2017 and 2021 in order to prosecute them for consensual same-sex relations. Forced anal examinations are a form of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment that can amount to torture. ILGA-Europe together with eight human rights organisations urge President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to issue an immediate ban on these exams.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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New report released on LBTI women in sportTogether with EL*C, TGEU, OII Europe and EGLSF, ILGA-Europe launched our brand-new report on LBTI women in sport which reveals the specific situations and barriers that LBTI women face in sport, while discrimination and violence against them remain phenomena largely unknown or not visible. We urge decision makers, stakeholders and sports leaders at every level to take into account the needs of LBTI women in sport and ensure the full respect of their fundamental rights.
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Commissioner for Human Rights issues new comment on political manipulation of homophobia and transphobia in EuropeILGA-Europe warmly welcomes the new Human Rights Comment from Dunja MijatoviΔ, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights on LGBTI human rights defenders. The Commissioner highlights that LGBTI issues are regularly used as a political wedge, undermining human rights of all. She notes that "scapegoating LGBTI minorities has become a tactic applied by ultra-conservative and nationalist politicians posing as defenders of so-called “traditional values” to strengthen their base and gain or stay in power". (Photo credit: Council of Europe)
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Freedom of assembly |
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Thousands made history at WorldPride and EuroGamesBetween 12 and 22 August, tens of thousands of people joined more than 1,100 events in Copenhagen and Malmö as part of Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride and EuroGames. 3,000 people joined the WorldPride Opening Parade in Malmö and on Saturday more than 10,000 people joined six WorldPride Marches in Copenhagen. More than 50,000 people have joined events in WorldPride Square. (Photo credit: World Pride)
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Bucharest Pride marked 20 years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in RomaniaOn 6 August. the Bucharest Pride events were kicked off marking 20 years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in Romania. The Bucharest Municipality originally refused to authorise the Bucharest Pride March which was scheduled to take place on Saturday 14 August. The ACCEPT Association later announced that the Bucharest Municipality authorised the Pride March to take place, as initially requested by the ACCEPT, on Calea Victoriei on 14 August. (Photo credit: ACCEPT)
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IGLYO is seeking an Executive DirectorThis is your chance to lead the world’s largest LGBTQI youth and student network by applying to become IGLYO’s Executive Director. IGLYO particularly welcomes applications from women, trans, non-binary and intersex people, individuals from black communities, other communities of colour and ethnic minorities.
Read more and apply before 3 September. |
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Register for the ILGA World Conference 2022Registration is now open for the 31st edition of the ILGA World Conference which will take place from 2 to 6 May 2022 in LA Long Beach, USA, hosted by the It Gets Better Project under the theme “LGBTIQ youth: future present change”. If you need a visa to the United States (or any other countries of transit), you must register by December 1, 2021, 23:59 CET at the latest. If you don’t need a visa, register before March 1, 2022, 23:59 CET.
Read more and register for the conference. |
Rainbow Digest July 2021
ILGA-Europe |
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Listen to our interviews with author Elif Shafak and journalist Ben HunteILGA-Europe published two new episodes of The Frontline podcast containing interviews with the internationally acclaimed Turkish novelist, essayist, and advocate for women’s and LGBTI rights and freedom of expression, Elif Shafak and BBC LGBT Correspondent, Ben Hunte. Elif Shafak joins ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis to talk about a widespread decline of democracy, the fight for LGBTI rights and equality, the power of our stories and her own journey towards being a vocal member of the LGBTI community. In the next episode, Ben Hunte sat down with us to talk about the relationship between the media and LGBTI issues, why some stories get all the attention to the detriment of others, the rise of anti-trans voices in newspapers and broadcasting, and ways we might get the real diversity of LGBTI stories picked up.
Listen to the podcast episode with Elif Shafak. Listen to the podcast episode with Ben Hunte. Find previous episodes. |
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New survey report on the impact of COVID-19 on lesbian people in Europe and Central AsiaThe Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community – EL*C published their brand-new report “Resistance As A Way Of Living: Lesbian Lives Through The Covid-19 Pandemic”, which analyses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lesbian communities (individuals and NGOs) across Europe and Central Asia. The report highlights the ways the pandemic has exacerbated pre-COVID-19 inequalities and presents a series of recommendations for decision makers to address the issues at stake.
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New publication documenting the status of Prides around the worldOutRight launched a new briefing "Pride Around the World" which shows that 102 countries around the world host some form of Pride event; 8 countries have held their first Pride in the last 3 years; in many places, Pride events are coming under increasing attack; and despite hostile environments, new Pride events emerge every year.
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New report on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in the UKNGO akt’s The LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Report 2021, shines a light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 16-25 who have faced homelessness in the UK within the last 5 years. Using both a quantitative survey and in-depth interviews with young people, it explores factors leading to homelessness (familial abuse and intimate partner abuse), the impact of homelessness, awareness of support services and levels of access, experiences of discrimination and harassment within support services and young people’s recommendations on how to improve services. Trans young people, young people of colour and disabled young people were disproportionately impacted by most of the issues covered in the report.
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Equality and non-discrimination |
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EU has clarified that member states can no longer act against human rights with impunityOn 15 July, the European Commission announced that it will take landmark infringement procedures against both Hungary and Poland. The procedures against Hungary concern the censorship of a children’s book portraying LGBTI characters, and the legislation that entered into force last week, which prohibits the inclusion of LGBTI people in material in schools or in media for under-18s. The procedures against Poland concern a refusal to clarify whether LGBTI people are discriminated against in the labour market in the country’s so-called LGBT Free Zones.
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5 ways you can help the Hungarian LGBTI communityAs Hungary introduces a draconian new anti-LGBTI law, ILGA-Europe have been receiving a huge volume of requests for information about how to support the Hungarian LGBTI community in the face of such a ruthless attack on their fundamental rights and freedoms. In a blog post, we list five concrete things you can do to support LGBTI people in the first EU country to introduce Russian style anti-propaganda legislation. (Photo credit: Nagy Szabolcs / Budapest Pride)
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Family |
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IVF rights to be extended to lesbian and single women in FranceOn 30 June, the French parliament voted in favour of extending invitro fertilisation access to lesbians and single women. Unfortunately, the law fails to address the rights of trans or intersex people, leaving more work to do. This is an important step toward full protection of the right of LGBTI people to found a family, and we hope it will be just one of many steps in ensuring full equality for all. (Photo credit: Inter LGBT)
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ILGA-Europe and TGEU welcome European Court judgement in favour of trans parental rights in RussiaOn 6 July, in a landmark judgement strongly welcomed by TGEU and ILGA-Europe, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of a woman in Russia who was denied access to her children because of her gender identity and transition. Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe said: “Too often we are hearing the best interest of the child being abused as an argument to limit the rights of LGBTI people. We are glad to see the Court clearly rejecting such an abusive argument, and instead naming very concrete responsibilities for state authorities in ensuring the best interest of the child. Spreading hatred, misinformation and splitting loving parents from their children is not in the best interest of children.”
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European Court acknowledges states’ positive obligation to establish a legal framework for same-sex unionsOn 13 July, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a judgment in the case Fedotova and Others v Russia concerning recognition of same-sex unions. The Court reiterated states’ positive obligation to establish a legal framework to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights of private and family life under Article 8 ECHR. The judgment acknowledged the social reality of same-sex couples’ lives in and the conflict the existing legislation creates due to lack of recognition of their relationships: access to rights for a minority cannot be dependent on the acceptance of those by the majority. This is a great step forward in strengthening recognition of same-sex unions and applies across the Council of Europe member states.
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First same-sex partnership concluded in MontenegroOn 25 July, the first ever same-sex partnership was concluded in Montenegro, in the town of Budva. The same-sex partnership law was voted by Parliament on 1 July 2020, making Montenegro a leader in the region as the first Western Balkans country outside the EU to adopt such legislation. We now hope to see all relevant bylaws amended so that the law can be implemented in its entirety and all couples under this law can conclude registered partnerships.
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Freedom of assembly |
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Fourth hearing of METU Pride trial takes placeOn 16 July, the defendants of the METU Pride trial faced their fourth hearing in Ankara, after another postponement in April. The defendants requested to give their defense at the next hearing, which will take place on 8 October. On 31 July 2020 an Ankara administrative court annulled the 2019 ban on the METU Pride March, which should have led to the acquittal of the defendants during the 10 December 2020 hearing. (Photo credit: METU LGBTI+)
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Freedom of speech |
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First trial against Polish activists who created the “Atlas of Hate” takes placeOn 21 July, the team behind the “Atlas of Hate” (which mapped Poland’s municipalities and regions which have adopted anti-LGBT resolutions and Family Charters), faced their first trial in OstroΕΔka. The activists are being sued for “defamation” for the Atlas of Hate. The next hearing will also take place in OstroΕΔka, on 8 October. This case is one of a number of cases, organised by Ordo Iuris in the name of various local councils, aimed at silencing and intimidating the activists who have highlighted the discriminatory nature of the resolutions and Charters that have been adopted. These cases are known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), which ILGA-Europe is working in a coalition of NGOs to tackle at the European level.
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Hate crime |
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MEPs address lesbophobic violence in AlbaniaOn 2 July, the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights published a letter which addressed, among other lesbophobic violence incidents, hate speech against an Albanian LGBTI activist. ILGA-Europe joins the Intergroup in condemning this hate speech, and we also point to the fact that hate speech leads to hate crime: some days after the start of this wave of hate speech against the activist, a trans person was physically assaulted by ten men in Tirana, on 16 June.
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Azerbaijan: Investigate attacks on LGBTI+ personsOn 6 July, ILGA-Europe, The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Civil Rights Defenders, and RFSL released a joint statement calling on Azerbaijani authorities to swiftly respond to the recent instances of hate crime incidents with unambiguous public condemnation, and prompt, thorough, impartial, and independent investigations to hold those responsible to account. Since 30 May 2021, there have been credible reports of a series of attacks against LGBTI+ persons in Baku. The attacks include physical violence, threats, and harassment with explicit homophobic and transphobic intent, including hateful comments made online. According to local human rights defenders, ten hate-related incidents have been reported to the police. (Photo credit: Minority Azerbaijan)
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LGBTI organisations urge Georgia to address recent attacks at the UN Human Rights CouncilOn 9 July, at the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council, ILGA-Europe and ILGA World delivered a joint statement, drafted in consultation with NGO Women's Initiatives Supporting Group, on recent attacks against LGBTI people and organisations in Georgia. Together with several Georgian LGBTI community organisations, we urge the Government of Georgia to address these hate crimes adequately, conduct proper and thorough investigations, and hold those responsible to account. We call as well on the Georgian authorities to take necessary measures to ensure safety for the LGBTI community in general.
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European Commission publishes first funding calls of EU4HealthThe European Commission published first calls for their “EU4Health” projects which will close on 15 September, with the results published in December. As the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy committed to ensuring funding for research on LGBTI health, and specifically on trans and intersex health, ILGA-Europe recommends LGBTI organisations to consider the opportunity.
Read more and apply by 15 September. |
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ILGA World is seeking an Executive DirectorILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is seeking an authentic, respected and mission-driven individual to join as Executive Director. LGBTI D/deaf and disabled people; lesbian and bisexual women; intersex persons; trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary persons; and persons from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply, to increase the representation of people among LGBTI communities in ILGA World’s work.
Read more and apply by 9 August. |
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IGLYO is looking for an Executive DirectorThe International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO) is accepting applications to become their Executive Director. IGLYO particularly encourages applications from women, trans, intersex and non-binary people, people of color and black people, people with migrant or immigrant backgrounds, those with disabilities and those who are under 30 years old.
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Transgender Europe has several staff and consultancy vacanciesTransgender Europe (TGEU) is looking for a Deputy Director, a Research Officer, two Policy Officers, and an EECA Officer to join their team as full-time staff. TGEU also published consultancy opportunities on policy, strategic litigation, translation, interpretation, and evaluation.
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OII Europe is looking for a Finance and Administration OfficerThe Organisation Intersex International Europe (OII Europe) seeks a Finance and Administration Officer who will manage the organisation’s financial resources and implement and control, together with the Executive Director, all finance-related activities of the strategic and operational financial planning, monitoring and reporting of the organisation.
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Rainbow Digest June 2021
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Revolut partners with ILGA-Europe to raise funds for LGBTI equalityFor the third consecutive year, fintech app Revolut have partnered with ILGA-Europe to raise awareness and funds in celebration of Pride. Order a limited edition rainbow card by making a donation to ILGA-Europe in the app, then share a creative photo with your card on Instagram or Twitter using hashtags #PayWithPride and #Revolut. Revolut will give one lucky winner with the best photo Β£5,000, which will be matched as a donation to ILGA-Europe.
Read more about the Revolut rainbow card. See photo contest terms and conditions. Β
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Highlights from the European Equality Gala 2021On 22 June, the European Equality Gala 2021 Online brought together supporters of LGBTI equality to raise much needed funds for the movement and hear from special guests from the worlds of arts, media and activism, including bestselling Turkish author Elif Shafak, BBC LGBT correspondent Ben Hunte, and frontline activists from across the region. The Gala was co-hosted by drag legend LaDiva Live with ILGA-Europeβs Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis.
If you missed the inspiring evening or want to relive the best moments, watch the recording.
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Asylum
| The shocking truth about LGBTI asylum seekers living through COVID-19 in EuropeAcross Europe, sexual and gender minorities can ask for international protection. However, the implementation of EU asylum directives varies greatly across the region. Furthermore, there are no official statistics on the number of asylum claims based on sexual orientation or gender identity, while only a few countries in the EU have specific national guidelines for interviewing LGBTI asylum seekers. The COVID-19 pandemic and the political responses to it have hit already beleaguered LGBTI asylum seekers in Europe particularly hard. We report on the alarming impact. (Photo credit: Kyle Glenn / Unsplash)
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Bodily integrity
| New infographic on FGM and LGBTI rightsThe End FGM European Network (End FGM EU) and ILGA-Europe published a new infoghraphic to bring awareness to the people living at the intersection of FGM and LGBTI issues. Some LGBTI individuals are Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivors and face challenges based on both aspects of their identities.
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Decriminalisation
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MP proposes to βdeport LGBT people out of UzbekistanβOn 7 June, in an interview to Alter Ego Youtube channel, Member of the Uzbek Parliament Alisher Kadyrov, who represents the Milliy Tiklanish party (National Revival), repeated his idea that βLGBT people in Uzbekistan must be deprived of their citizenship, and must be deported out of the countryβ. MP Kadyrov had made a similar anti-LGBT proposal in the past, and also after an incident on 28 March, when a group of men attacked allegedly gay people in the centre of Tashkent. ILGA-Europe is aware of at least 51 cases of convictions against gay men under Article 120 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which penalises consensual same-sex relations between men. The recent draft of the Criminal Code released by Uzebkistanβs Prosecutor Generalβs Office under the ongoing criminal justice reform, retains the punishment for consensual same-sex relations between men.
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Equality and non-discrimination
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European Court fines Romania over inadequate protection against homophobic attacksOn 1 June, in the case of Association ACCEPT and Others v. Romania, Romania has been fined 60,000 euro by the European Court of Human Rights for violating human dignity and freedom of assembly during and after a homophobic attack by extreme right groups during the screening of an LGBTI film at the cinema of the Museum of the Romanian Peasant in Bucharest in 2013. The court concluded that the authorities did not respond adequately to protect the dignity of individual applicants against homophobic attacks, and failed to investigate in the aftermath, and in doing so showed their own prejudices against members of the LGBTI community.
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Sex work in Europe: βWe are still asking for the basic things: housing, work, and respect for our identitiesβTo mark International Sex Workers Day on 2 June, ILGA-Europe talked to Sabrina SΓ‘nchez, trans migrant sex worker based in Spain, on her journey, the pandemic and why sex workers rights are central to the LGBTI movement. While across Europe we start to return to a semblance of the old days, the issues sex workers were facing before 2020 are still present. In Spain, there are two draft bills that could affect sex work, by criminalising their working premises or conflating sex work with trafficking.
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Freedom of assembly
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Police violence and ill treatment against peaceful protestors at Istanbul PrideIstanbul Pride was banned for the seventh year in a row. In protest, the march took place on 26 June, but participants were met with excessive police force and ill-treatment. Almost 50 people were arrested, including journalists, violating their right to freedom of assembly and expression. ILGA-Europe condemned the police violence and ill treatment against peaceful protestors at Istanbul Pride and are particularly concerned about the ban on filming police, which restricts journalism and enables police impunity. (Photo: Cihangir, Meydan Gazetesi via Kaosgl.org)
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Freedom of association
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Kyrgyz Parliament adopts a bill discriminating against NGOsOn 17 June, in a third and final reading the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan adopted a law subjecting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to additional scrutiny on financial reporting. If signed by the President of Kyrgyzstan, the law would be discriminatory towards NGOs, contradicting basic democratic principles of regulating NGO activities. Civil society compares the bill to βthe foreign agent lawβ adopted in Russia several years ago and claims that it proposes to establish additional burdensome requirements only for a part of non-profit organisations. This is not the first attempt of the Kyrgyz Parliament to initiate a similar bill.
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Freedom of expression
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Hungarian parliament adopts legislation censoring communication about LGBTI peopleOn 15 June, the Hungarian Parliament adopted a number of amendments which directly discriminate against LGBTI people. The amendments were tabled by the ruling FIDESZ party and introduce a ban on the “portrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality” for persons under 18. The amendments clearly breach a number of EU laws and violate international human rights norms. It is time for the EU to use all instruments available to hold its member state accountable for the respect of fundamental rights, including LGBTI rights, and for clear breaches of EU law, say ILGA-Europe.
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ILGA-Europe will continue working with the institutions so that words can be translated into real actionIn the light of increasing attacks on LGBTI rights, stagnation of legal progress and clear lack of implementation of the rights of LGBTI people in Europe, the European Commission has clearly signalled its willingness to hold Hungary accountable for its breach of EU law in flagrantly discriminating against LGBTI people and finally follow the call for action, including infringement procedures. Member states also need to follow through, calling out LGBTI rights violations across Europe, while restarting and seeing through the necessary legislative steps in their own countries. Words need to translate into action so that LGBTI people across the entire European Union can be both respected and protected as equal citizens. ILGA-Europe pledges to keep on working to support and inform the European institutions so that this can become a reality and the tide of backward sliding on LGBTI rights, dignity and equality in some EU countries can turn back in the right direction. (Photo credit: Claudio Centonze, European Commission)
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Freedom of movement
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Freedom of movement for same-sex spouses: The Coman Case, 3 years onOn 5 June 2018, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a landmark judgement against Romania, recognising that the term spouse includes same-sex spouses under EU freedom of movement laws. Three years later, Clai Hamilton, spouse of Romanian citizen Adrian Coman, has not been granted residency yet. Now theyβve brought the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). On 24 June, ILGA-Europe hosted an online event commemorating three years since the judgment delivery with Adrian Coman and Clai Hamilton, Commissioner Helena Dalli, Sophie In tβVeld MEP, and ACCEPT Romania. (Photo: Rudolf Costin)
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Hate crime
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Feminist activists attacked in KazakhstanOn 2 June, ILGA-Europe called upon the Government of Kazakhstan to take immediate action to objectively and transparently investigate the attacks on feminist activists: Zhanar Sekerbayeva and Gulzada Serzhan β co-founders of Feminita initiative group. Zhanar and Gulzada were attacked by nearly 30 men in Shymkent city in the south of Kazakhstan as they were trying to organise an event on womenβs rights for a group of local women. A number of men came to the venue chanting religious calls and homophobic slurs. They beat Zhanar and attacked Gulzada, destroying her possessions. The police who were called for help, sided with the men instead of protecting the victims. They dragged Zhanar and Gulzada into a police car and took them to a police station where they were illegally detained for over eight hours. Their attackers were neither arrested nor detained. (Photo source: Zhanar Sekerbayeva) 
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βThe Ukrainian state must protect the LGBT+ communities!βThe LGBT+ community, feminists and other social groups in Ukraine are constantly facing attacks by conservative and ultra-right groups, attacks on educational events and intimidation of community activists and people. ILGA-Europe condemned the attacks on Insight NGO and LIGA, their staff and community members who come to these spaces to seek safety. We call for a timely and adequate investigation, sanctioning the perpetrators accordingly so as to end the attacks on the LGBT+ communities in Ukraine.
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Health
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New podcast about health equity for LGBTI people and marginalised groupsILGA-Europe Senior Policy Officer, CianΓ‘n B. Russell joined the latest episode of the βHealth In Europeβ podcast, hosted by the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe, discussing with other participants about the importance of health equity, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic and presenting ILGA-Europeβs work on health equity for LGBTI people.
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New report on HIV and mental healthThe European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) has launched a report on HIV and mental health, exploring the existing knowledge about the interplay of mental health, well-being and HIV and translating it into practical recommendations for both community organisations and healthcare professionals in the European context. A policy brief based on findings from the survey and reports from the consultations of stakeholders that are ongoing will be published this autumn.
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Legal gender recognition
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A number of Swedish hospitals end puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones to trans youthThe Karolinska Hospital in Sweden has ended the use of hormones (including puberty blockers) for minors. The hospital says it will resume care in the context of a clinical trial, but no such research project is yet planned. The Swedish Association for Transgender People’s Health (SFTH) wrote an open letter to the to the Karolinska Hospital regarding its harmful decision which has been already replicated by three more healthcare units in the country. The SFTH calls on the hospital to revoke the policy change and provide hormonal treatment to children and adolescents with gender dysphoria.
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Sexual and reproductive rights
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EP passes historic resolution on sexual and reproductive health and rightsOn 24 June, the European Parliament passed an historic resolution on sexual and reproductive health and rights, clarifying the rights of women, reconfirming abortion as a human right, and with strong inclusion of these rights for LGBTI people. ILGA-Europe enthusiastically welcome this resolution, applaud the EPβs firm commitment to LGBTI-inclusion and intersectionality, and look forward to coordinated efforts to ensure implementation and protection of the SRHR rights of LGBTI people.
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Notice board
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Equinox Initiative is calling for young, racialised people to join the Next Generation LeadersThe Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice is looking for young racial justice activists, professionals, and organisers to join its three-month training program, entitled the Next Generation Leaders, to empower young, racialised people to take up advocacy for meaningful change and become strong advocates for racial justice. Activities in the program will be centred around solidarity organising, capacity and skills development, and advocacy towards key stakeholders. The program will be launched at the end of July and will continue over the summer until October 2021.
Read more and apply by 5 July.
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COC Netherlands is looking for an International Project ManagerCOC Netherlands, the Dutch organisation for LGBTI persons, is looking for an International Project Manager Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. The office of COC Netherlands is located in the centre of Amsterdam. Applicants are required to have a good command of Russian and English and understanding of the human rights situation of LGBTI in in the field, and need to have the legal right to remain and work in the Netherlands / EU.
Read more and apply by 7 July.
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International francophone conference on LGBTI rights to take place onlineBetween 30 June and 2 July, ΓGIDES is hosting an online international conference entitled βVivre lβΓ©galitΓ© et les diversitΓ©s dans la francophonie : culture, santΓ©, sΓ©curitΓ©β exploring human rights of LGBTQI people in the Francophone countries. ΓGIDES, based in Montreal, Canada, advocates for the rights and the development of LGBTQI organisations and communities located in international Francophone countries.
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Two consultancies and one internship vacancy at ILGA WorldILGA World is seeking a consultant to participate in the fundraising team for the 2022 ILGA World Conference. You can submit your bid until Monday 5 July, 2021, 23:59 PM CEST. The organisation is also seeking a consultant to provide human resources services to the organisation. Deadline to submit your bid is Tuesday 6 July, 2021, 23:59 PM CEST. ILGA World also has a vacancy for an IT Support Intern, for which you can apply by Friday 9 July 2021 at 16:00 CEST.
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Tell WorldPride what #YouAreIncluded means to youThe organising team of the WorldPride and EuroGames in Copenhagen and MalmΓΆ wants to know what this yearβs theme #YouAreIncluded means to you, in your town or city, school or college, workplace, at home, or just walking down the street. Your answers will be placed on a huge online map to be published on 11 August, and broadcast on social media throughout the event between 12β22 August 2021. You can complete the form in different languages.
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New directory of donors for civil societyAre you having a hard time identifying and connecting with donors and allies who can support your work? CIVICUS has created a Donor Finder for civil society groups, organisations, movements and individual activists around the world who face barriers to accessing information on relevant donors and funding opportunities.
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