About: LGBTI

UK, Romania lose ground on LGBTI rights despite overall progress in Europe

LGBTI rights are slowly improving across Europe, but “big gaps” persist with a number of countries slipping down the ladder, according to a new ranking published by ILGA-Europe on Thursday (12 May).

Anti-LGBTI rhetoric rising throughout Europe

Anti-LGBTI rhetoric is on the rise across Europe, according to a report published on Tuesday (15 February) by ILGA-Europe, an advocacy group. At the same time, numbers show public opinion has also shifted positively towards the community, most notably in Hungary.

European rights court throws out UK gay wedding cake case

The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday rejected a case brought over a UK bakery's refusal to bake a gay wedding cake, saying British legal options had to be exhausted before it would get involved.

Spanish government reacts to alleged homophobic gang assault

The Spanish government has convened an urgent meeting for Friday (10 September) over an alleged homophobic gang assault on a young man in Madrid that has raised the alarm over hate crimes in the country. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.

Portrayal and promotion – Hungary’s LGBTQI+ law explained

Controversy over a new Hungarian law banning LGBTQI+ references for minors is set to be raised by several EU leaders during their 24-25 June summit, originally intended to focus on foreign policy issues. But what is this law, and how does it fit into the Hungarian government’s anti-LGBT agenda? EURACTIV's media partner Telex takes a closer look.

Time to raise awareness of €1.5bn EU equality and rights programme, says leading MEP

Last month, European lawmakers proclaimed the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programmes as the largest ever amount of EU funding dedicated to promoting the bloc's values such as democracy and fundamental rights.

Gay French minister to visit ‘LGBT-free zone’ in Poland

French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune told a magazine to be published Wednesday (9 December) that he is gay and plans to visit a so-called LGBT-free zone in Poland to support local activists.

Ambassadors to Poland call for ‘environment of tolerance’ for LGBT+ people

Fifty ambassadors to Poland have written an open letter calling on Warsaw to help forge "an environment of non-discrimination, tolerance and mutual acceptance" as international concerns grow over the treatment of LGBT+ people in the country.

Discrimination against LGBTI community in Germany higher than EU average

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely limited the celebrations of Pride Month. However, it may be necessary to pay attention to the LGBTI community given that discrimination based on sexual identity is not uncommon in Germany, according to several studies. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EP condemns Hungary and Poland’s controversial coronavirus moves

The European Parliament passed a resolution on Friday (17 April) describing the recent Hungarian and Polish government actions during the coronavirus outbreak as "totally incompatible with European values."

EU’s soft power to improve human rights in Morocco

Morocco has made significant progress on a number of human rights issues since the revision of its Constitution in 2011 and the creation of the National Council of Human Rights (CNDH) in 2012, but the EU must continue using its soft power to help Rabat take up other sensitive issues, writes Willy Fautré.

Europe needs better sex ed to tackle violence against women

The #MeToo movement saw the scale of sexual harassment and assault in Europe thrust into the spotlight. Last October, thousands of women spoke out about sexual harassment within the European Institutions, and a petition for change gathering over 120,000 signatures was delivered to European Parliament President Antonio Tajani on International Women’s Day of this year.

Commission strives to reach 40% women in management by end of mandate

The European Commission has come up with new measures on Wednesday (19 June) to reach the target of having 40% of women in top positions by the end of its mandate in 2019.

Malta minister says politicians must ‘help shape public opinion’ on LGBTI rights

Malta’s minister for civil liberties has kicked off a conference on LGBTI rights across the EU with a call for politicians to swim against the tide by “helping shape public opinion, not to be led by it".

The Brief: Mrs May’s 12-point Brexit shopping list

While the UK media might be presenting this as a "12-point plan", at the moment it is nothing more than a glorified wishlist.

Populism in Europe stoking violence, say gay activists

Activists at Europe's biggest annual gay rights conference warned today (21 October) that populist political movements across the continent are stoking violence against minorities.

After Orlando: Minority groups united for universal human rights

In the wake of the recent horrific homophobic attack in Orlando, some will use this attack to justify counter-terrorism measures that restrict human rights and lead to backlash against immigrants, Muslims and others, write  Michaël Privot and Evelyne Paradis.

EU child custody laws need updating

Modern families are evolving, but family law has failed to keep up. It is time for the EU to step in to ensure that families, and particularly children, have protection and legal certainty, wherever they are in Europe, argues Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea.

Why Kosovo and the Balkans found relief in Austria’s election result

As president of the tiny Republic of Kosovo in the Western Balkans, Hashim Thaçi is the first one to admit to being very relieved by the results of the presidential elections in Austria.

Latvia is worst place to be gay in EU, index shows

Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have been ranked the worst places in EU to be an LGBTI citizen, according an index by the gay rights organisation ILGA.

Just how safe is the EU ‘safe list’?

The inclusion of countries that persecute homosexuals on the “safe list” has led the German Greens to ask for infringement proceedings to be launched. EURACTIV’s partner Tagesspiegel reports.