Actions for LGBTIQ equality

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people in the EU suffer discrimination, hatred and harassment daily. This can lead to damaging effects to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We must strive to protect the rights and safety of LGBTIQ people.

For some people in the EU, it is still unsafe to be open about their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, and to simply be themselves without feeling threatened. An important number of LGBTIQ people are also at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Not all feel safe to report verbal abuse and physical violence to the police.

The EU must be at the forefront of efforts to better protect LGBTIQ people’s rights and actively promote equality and non-discrimination across Member States.

^{Sources: Eurobarometer 2023, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) 2019 survey}

In 2020, the Commission adopted the first-ever strategy on LGBTIQ equality.

The strategy sets out a series of targeted actions to address the inequalities affecting LGBTIQ people, to integrate LGBTIQ equality in all policy areas, and to help lift the voices of LGBTIQ people. It aims to bring together Member States and actors at all levels in a common endeavour to combat LGBTIQ discrimination more effectively by 2025.

The strategy focuses on four main pillars:

Tracking progress

The progress report on the strategy’s implementation, published in 2023, shows that hatred and anti-LGBTIQ narratives have widely spread in European societies in recent years. The Commission has taken measures to tackle this and has not hesitated to initiate infringement procedures in cases where the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ people have been violated.

On the other hand, the report found that a growing number of EU countries have adopted national LGBTIQ action plans or strategies to combat discrimination against LGBTIQ people. They have also introduced or amended laws to extend the scope of protection against discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

Although progress may take time, many of the measures contained in the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 have been delivered or are being implemented with the aim to mainstream equality into all EU policies, legislation, and funding programmes, and to continue to promote an intersectional approach and attention to LGBTIQ people.

The European Commission financially supports projects promoting LGBTIQ equality, for instance through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. 

In addition, 5 European LGBTIQ umbrella organisations receive direct financial support through CERV grants:

• the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA Europe)
• the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO)
• Transgender Europe (TGEU)
• Organisation Intersex International Europe (OII Europe)
• Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community (EL*C)

More information on funding and new calls for proposals

The European Commission is also committed to sharing video testimonies of personal stories by LGBTIQ people across Europe.

The European Union is focused on enforcing and improving legal protection for LGBTIQ people in various key areas, including: 

• Reinforcing legal protection for LGBTIQ people against hate crime, hate speech and violence 
• Ensuring rights and improving the protection of LGBTIQ people and families in cross-border situations 
• Upholding the rights of LGBTIQ migrants and applicants for international protection

EU countries are required to comply with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights when implementing EU law. Fundamental rights are also usually protected by your country’s constitution. If you feel that your equality rights are being breached, see how you can file a complaint at national level.