ILGA-Europe

Launched today, our Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI People in Europe and Central Asia confirms that we are entering a new era where LGBTI people have become the testing ground for laws that erode democracy itself. Across Europe and Central Asia, governments are using anti-LGBTI rhetoric to justify restrictions on free speech, civil society, and fair elections. What begins as an attack on LGBTI rights rapidly grows into a wider assault on the rights and freedoms of all individuals in society. “This is not just an LGBTI issue; it is a crisis for human rights and democracy as a whole,” says our Executive Director, Chaber. Find out what’s happening in your country 👉 https://lnkd.in/eipcwrnm #AnnualReview2025

Considering to apply for our call to support work done by and for racialised LGBTI communities? Join our Q&A session on 20 March. Register now here: https://lnkd.in/eDvSubTC This call is aimed specifically for registered and non-registered LGBTI organisations and initiative groups in Europe that are: 🌈 Led by racialised LGBTI people and 🌈 Working for and with racialised LGBTI communities. We will support projects that offer to do this through one (or several) of the following ways of working: 🌈 Facilitating fairer/better access of racialised LGBTI communities to opportunities, services, spaces and care from which these communities have been historically excluded; 🌈 Forging and advancing collaboration and partnerships with other actors: activist groups (racialised or not; LGBTI or beyond), media, authorities and/or service providers; 🌈 Exploring, reclaiming and enhancing voices and experiences from racialised LGBTI communities to challenge existing structures, change existing practices, mobilise wider support and engage the community; 🌈 Strengthening internal organisational structures, skills and practices to build a sustainable presence for and with(in) the communities and wider civic society space.

Donating a legacy in your will to ILGA-Europe means knowing you will leave a meaningful impact towards a better world for future generations of people just like you. Here’s how you can do it 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWnNSCpb #legacygiving #legacy

The UK has banned puberty blockers for #trans youth, putting lives at risk. Meet Tammy, a trans activist from the United Kingdom, working with Mermaids, a vital organisation supporting trans, non-binary, and gender-questioning young people since 1995. As reported in our #AnnualReview2025, the UK’s decision was based on misleading information - and now, other countries like Austria, France, Ireland, and Poland are pushing for similar restrictions. But despite the attacks, Mermaids and other trans organisations refuse to back down, and are continuing their work. “We won't stop until every single transitioning person can access the timely, supportive and holistic healthcare that they are entitled to” says Tammy. Trans rights are human rights. Read our new report to find out more about what’s happening for LGBTI people in the UK, and across Europe and Central Asia 👉 https://lnkd.in/etcW_-P9

It's been a super busy month, and only getting a chance now to congratulate our entire ILGA-Europe team on bringing together the wealth of information that makes up our 2025 Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI people in Europe and Central Asia, and in particular our project lead Katja Štefanec, our writing consultant Niccolò Fantin and the UpRights team, our designer Giulia Parri, and the many dedicated activists working as experts for us in the 54 countries we report on. As my time with ILGA-Europe continues, I am increasingly alarmed by the rise in legal regression, stagnation, hate speech, and hate crimes across our communities. These challenges make it clearer than ever just how crucial it is to meticulously document what is happening—both the setbacks and the progress—for LGBTI people. Accurate and detailed reporting not only helps us bear witness to these realities but also strengthens our advocacy, holds institutions accountable, and ensures that the voices of our communities are heard and protected. #LGBTI #HumanRights #Equality Now more than ever, this work is vital. https://lnkd.in/eYSVtmMx

On 11 March, the #EuropeanCommission proposed a new Regulation on returns. Civil society groups working on #asylum and migration have raised serious concerns. These include the legalisation of return hubs, which make monitoring and accountability harder, increased risks of deportation, weaker protections for appealing return decisions, and the possibility of exceptions for national security. The proposal also expands deportation and detention powers and introduces entry bans based on security assessments. These changes could disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, including #LGBTI individuals. The proposal lacks an explicit ban on discrimination based on SOGIESC, a step back from the 2008 Return Directive, which prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. We are concerned that it does not include clear safeguards for LGBTI individuals. We will work with the Commission to ensure protection against deportation for those facing persecution due to their #SOGIESC, as well as for activists and human rights defenders at risk for promoting equality. We will join other civil society stakeholders to work with the co-legislators, the Parliament and the Council, to ensure that the regulation respects human rights guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights, including in relation to LGBTI individuals. Read about the regulation here: https://lnkd.in/eQhv88Cr

Yesterday, ILGA-Europe and ERA - LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey met with the new EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. We appreciate her commitment to safeguarding #LGBTI human rights amid shifting political landscapes, and tackling rising hatred and discriminatory narratives.

Today, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruled in the case of Deldits (C-247/23) that Hungary must update a #trans refugee’s gender marker in official records. This landmark decision strengthens fundamental rights in the #EU at a critical time when both trans people and fundamental rights face intense challenges. Legal gender recognition has been banned in #Hungary since 2020, with refugees having no legal pathway at all. The applicant challenged this deadlock, asserting that under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation #GDPR —which guarantees all EU residents control over their data—Hungary must allow gender marker changes as a matter of data protection rights. Today’s judgement confirms this. Hungary must now correct the trans man’s data in its official records—and the impact goes beyond Hungary. Member States across the EU need to ensure anyone can request the correction of their gender marker in public registers when it is inaccurate. The Court also said that while authorities can ask for reasonable proof to correct data, they can’t demand proof of ‘gender reassignment surgery’, as it goes against EU fundamental rights. Congratulations to everyone involved for this incredible victory. Your efforts and dedication will make a huge impact on trans lives across the EU. Read the joint statement from ILGA-Europe, TGEU — Trans Europe and Central Asia and Háttér Társaság at our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/ed5W7dck

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s threat to ban the 2025 #BudapestPride march has sparked outrage, raising serious concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms and LGBTI rights in Hungary. This move is part of a broader trend of restrictions tied to the country’s anti-LGBTI law, which has been widely condemned by human rights organisations and the European Union. Last year, 35,000 people marched in Budapest Pride, making it the largest recurring civil rights demonstration in #Hungary. This year, even more are expected, with many first-time attendees publicly declaring their intention to join in defiance of the government’s threats. A ban on Pride would not only strip LGBTI Hungarians of their platform for visibility and advocacy, but also set a dangerous precedent—curbing the right to protest and silencing dissent in a country where democratic backsliding is already a major concern. Pride is more than a celebration—it is a peaceful assertion of fundamental human rights. An attempt to suppress it is an attack on everyone’s right to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and the ability to hold governments accountable. We stand in solidarity with Budapest Pride, who will march on June 28, determined to overcome all obstacles placed in their path. We call on Hungarian authorities—and all democratic governments—to uphold their commitment to protecting peaceful protest and human rights for all. A society that values equality and freedom is a stronger, more just society for everyone. Please share this message to raise awareness of this fundamental threat to freedom of assembly within the EU. Read our statement at https://lnkd.in/ehJbQvy8

GlobalGiving's 2024 impact report shows some impressive figures of solidarity around the globe. To date supporters of ILGA-Europe have given an amazing $17,299 via GlobalGiving towards our work for LGBTI equality across Europe & Central Asia. 🫶 Donating via GlobalGiving is tax efficient for US tax-payers, and donations from UK tax-payers allows us to claim GiftAid. What's more, this March 25 - 28 GlobalGiving will match donations of up to $50, so consider joining a wonderful community of supporters and amplify your impact! ❤️ https://lnkd.in/eaxKgjtN