COVID-19 impacts on LGBTI communities in Europe and Central Asia: A rapid assessment report

COVID-19 and the resulting measures to contain and combat the virus are generating complex challenges and risks. While the virus does not discriminate per se, it is very clear that it hits marginalised communities in our societies disproportionally harder. In addition, social distancing and other prevention measures, as needed as they are, can have unwanted negative impacts on the lives of marginalised groups.

See also

Blog

The 5 trending attacks on the fundamental rights of LGBTI people in the EU in 2021

Right now, as the war on Ukraine escalates, democracy, human rights and equality matter more than ever in Europe. In our submission to the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law report, we’ve identified key trends in the systematic attacks on the rights of LGBTI people across EU member states.
read more
Press Release

Rising challenges for LGBTI organisations in Europe and Central Asia, new report finds

A survey of LGBTI organisations across Europe and Central Asia finds they face significant challenges in the face of growing anti-LGBTI forces, and the ongoing […]
read more
Blog

What has 2021 meant to the LGBTI movement in Europe? Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out this year’s highlights

As 2021 comes to an end, we have collected some of the moments, events and trends that have marked the year in the latest episode of The Frontline, ILGA-Europe’s podcast about LGBTI activism and lives in Europe and Central Asia. Read here some of the episode’s highlights and find out reasons to stay hopeful in 2022.
read more
Blog

What Pride Reminds: How anti-gender forces and blocks to progress on HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia are intertwined

In moments like these, where even our former allies are using us to advance their own political goals, pride and its value become ever clearer.
read more
Blog

The shocking truth about LGBTI asylum seekers living through COVID-19 in Europe

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.
read more
Blog

#SexWork in Europe: “We are still asking for the basic things: housing, work, and respect for our identities”

To mark #InternationalSexWorkersDay on June 2, we talked to Sabrina Sánchez, trans migrant sex worker based in Spain, on her journey, the pandemic and why sex workers rights are central to the LGBTI movement.
read more
Blog

How to build a fairer, healthier world during a global pandemic

On 7 April, in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, we celebrated World Health Day with the motto: “Building a fairer, healthier world”. But […]
read more
Podcast

The Frontline: LGBTI communities in Europe: Pushed to the brink

Reporting from country after country provides a glaring clarification that progress which has been taken for granted is not only increasingly fragile, but particularly vulnerable […]
read more
Blog

No One Left Behind: A Fund to tackle LGBTI socioeconomic inequalities

Early in June, ILGA-Europe launched the ‘No One Left Behind’ fund, an initiative to tackle persisting socioeconomic inequalities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. Read on to find out what it is, why we launched it and how we went about awarding 25 grants.
read more
Report

COVID-19 in marginalised groups: challenges, actions and voices

Marginalised groups such as people experiencing homelessness, undocumented migrants, sex workers, people who use drugs, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and prisoners […]
read more
Blog

The seven ways COVID-19 has hugely impacted LGBTI people

“While the Coronavirus does not discriminate, it has hit vulnerable communities disproportionately harder.” This is the conclusion of ILGA-Europe’s rapid assessment report on the impacts of COVID-19 on LGBTI people, organisations, and communities in Europe and Central Asia. In this blog, ILGA-Europe’s policy team share the seven main areas of life in which COVID-19 has specifically impacted LGBTI people.
read more
Blog

COVID-19 and digital security: How to organise safe Prides online?

This year, Pride Month will be like no other. Despite the current challenges, it remains as the opportunity of coming together for equality and celebrating our diversity. Many organisations are getting ready for this important month of visibility by organising digital events. Are you wondering how your organisation can prevent possible attacks online this month? ILGA-Europe Programmes & Policy team shared some possible scenarios and tips for you!
read more
Report

COVID-19: Tips for Online Management of Financial Resources for LGBTI Organisations

Covid-19 is having far-reaching consequences for LGBTI communities and organisations around the world. While you may currently be focussed on understanding what the immediate future […]
read more
Report

States’ Positive Obligations Under International Human Rights Law During The Coronavirus Outbreak

Evidence Requirements to Hold States Accountable Through Litigation and Advocacy Certain areas of States’ positive obligations depend on whether the State knew or ought to […]
read more
Report

Obligations Of States In The field Of Human Rights In The Context Of Covid-19

In times of emergency, International and European Human Rights Law enable States to derogate from their obligations and enter a different regime of legality; provided […]
read more
Report

COVID-19 and specific impact on LGBTI people and what authorities should be doing to mitigate impact

COVID-19 is generating complex challenges and risks and while the virus does not discriminate, it is very clear that it hits marginalised communities in our […]
read more
Blog

COVID-19: Keeping LGBTI communities together

Many countries have surpassed the peak of the COVID-19 crisis and are beginning to plan phased-out endings of their lockdowns. But we’re not out of the woods yet, and if numbers of coronavirus cases start rising again, lockdown measures are most likely to be extended or reinstated, as was seen in Singapore. In a webinar presented by ILGA-Europe earlier this month, participants shared the activities and strategies their organisations have used to stay connected while confined to their houses.
read more
News

Open Letter to President Ursula von der Leyen: keeping equality for all at the core amid the COVID-19 crisis

ILGA-Europe's Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis calls the European Commission to prioritise minority and human rights. "The response to Covid-19 is bringing so many vulnerable people in our society into focus, and we cannot look away."
read more
Blog

COVID-19: Making online fundraising events work for your organisation

As we gear up to bring our annual fundraising event online, ILGA-Europe’s Partnerships Manager, Anna Shepherd gives her top tips for organising online events and bringing supporters on board.
read more
Blog

COVID-19: Great resources for your LGBTI organisation

While some countries begin to plan what the end of social confinement and lockdowns will look like, the struggle to adapt to new ways of working and tackle unforseen challenges, continues for everyone. There are so many resources out there to help it’s hard to know where to begin, so as part of ILGA-Europe’s three-part plan to support the LGBTI movement through the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve hand-picked ten of the very best.
read more
Blog

Pride in the time of COVID-19

As 300 Pride events, and counting, have been called off across Europe, President of the European Pride Organisers Association, Kristine Garina talks about what this will mean for the LGBTI community, and how we can come together to rise to this critical challenge.
read more
Blog

COVID-19 Crisis Communications: LGBTI Q&A

After our blog on crisis communication, ILGA-Europe hosted a Q&A call for LGBTI groups to share experiences and advice on communicating clearly during the COVID-19 crisis. Here is a summary and 60-second video of five lessons we
read more
Blog

COVID-19: Tips for online financial management for LGBTI organisations

The COVID-19 crisis is having far-reaching effects on now our organisations are working. ILGA-Europe are adapting and finding new ways to continue our work using online platforms and resources. Our Finance and Admin team have brought together a really great resource for online financial management througout this time of lockdown, and here they share their top tips.
read more
Report

Guide: COVID-19 Pro bono legal resources and support

As part of our ‘Protect, Adapt and Rally’ package, please find below an overview of leading pro bono service providers and clearing houses that are […]
read more
Blog

Protect, Adapt and Rally: A three-part plan to support the LGBTI movement through the COVID-19 crisis

The COVID-19crisis is generating complex challenges for the day-to-day work of LGBTI activist organisations, while it has become clear the global reaction to the virus is hitting marginalised communities disproportionally hard. ILGA-Europe’s three part plan seeks to help LGBTI organisations navigate and adapt to a constantly changing landscape, and work towards the time when the immediate crisis has passed.
read more
Blog

COVID-19: Re-thinking 2020 for activist organisations

In every activist organisation, previously solid plans are up in the air as we adapt to a new and never before experienced working landscape. With more questions than answers on the table, our Programmes Director, Bjorn Van Roozendaal
read more
Blog

Top ‘working at home’ tips for LGBTI activist organisations

Amid the global outbreak of COVID-19, the fight for the human rights of LGBTI people doesn’t take a break, but how can activists and organisations connect and do their best work from kitchen tables? ILGA-Europe member organisation, All Out, has some answers.
read more
Blog

Working from home: How the ILGA-Europe staff are striving forward!

Check out these top tips from our management team as they tell their personal stories of suddenly finding themselves working from home.
read more
News

We continue to be committed to our members and to the movement

We are living through a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty. We know that everyone is grappling with how best to respond to this rapidly changing reality, wondering how to navigate these unsettling times. 
read more