Strategic litigation

Same-sex spouses are included in the definition of ‘spouse’, for the purposes of freedom of residence

This judgment reaffirmed that Council of Europe member states have an obligation to safeguard the family life of same-sex couples.

The 14 judges of the Constitutional Court ruled that marriage should be open to same-sex couples and also that different-sex couples should have the option of availing of registered partnerships.

That is the potentially life-changing situation being considered by the Court of the Justice of the European Union (CJEU) today.

German policymakers now have two options and must legislate before the end of 2018.

On 26 July, Evdokiya Romanova, a Samara activist for civil rights, was summoned to the police under an administrative offense - "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations using the Internet" among minors.

On 14 August, the United Kingdom granted refugee status to a prominent Nigerian LGBT activist, Aderonke Apata. The win ended a 13-year battle over her right to stay in the UK. 

Children born by a surrogate mother in a country outside France (where there is a legal framework on surrogacy) can now be adopted by the partner of their biological partner.

ILGA-Europe invites applications for the upcoming litigation workshop on Fundraising for Litigation to take place in Brussels 1-2 March 2017.

A case involving a woman seeking asylum based on her sexual orientation has been struck out by the European Court of Human Rights.