Actions for LGBTIQ equality

Providing protection and safety to LGBTIQ people

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 and 2024 surveys}

LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2026-2030

Building on the achievements under its first LGBTIQ equality strategy, the Commission set out a fresh five-year strategy in 2025 to tackle persistent inequalities that LGBTIQ people face in their daily lives.

The new strategy pays particular attention to eliminating hate and violence both online and in real life. It presents actions to empower LGBTIQ people to live free from discrimination and looks towards banning “conversion” practices. The strategy also strengthens the cooperation with civil society to ensure everyone is engaged in protecting the rights and freedoms of LGBTIQ people in all areas of their life. 

The strategy focuses on 3 pillars: 

Tracking progress on the 2020-2025 LGBTIQ strategy

In 2020, the Commission adopted the first-ever strategy on LGBTIQ equality. It aimed to address the inequalities affecting LGBTIQ people, to integrate LGBTIQ equality in all policy areas, and to help lift the voices of LGBTIQ people. 

The 2023 progress report on the strategy’s implementation 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.

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.

Supporting 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)

CERV programmes will continue until 2027. Under the EU’s new long-term budget, funding will be provided under the CERV+ strand of the AgoraEU programme. This will include up to €3.6 billion to uphold equality and non-discrimination, combat gender based-violence and promote democratic participation. 

More information on funding and new calls for proposals

Testimonies

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