Everyone should be free to be themselves and love who they want to love without fear. 
Yet lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people still face discrimination in many parts of the world, including Europe. 
The EU is strongly committed to fighting against discrimination. Listen to find out more about how the EU is trying to build a more inclusive society where everyone can feel safe.

Fighting discrimination against LGBTIQ people

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This was&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament. In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”.

In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

Since the Treaty of Amsterdam ratified in 1997, the European Union is equipped to take measures against discrimination.

The EU plays a central role in combatting discrimination against LGBTI community in Europe, and partly thanks to the European Parliament, but there are still significant shortcomings troughout the EU.

Despite progress in many areas over the last decades, people in Europe are still stigmatised because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons cannot fully enjoy their universal rights. They run a risk of becoming victims of hate crime and may not receive protection when attacked in the street by fellow citizens.

Fight for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and interse

In the face of persistent discrimination, Parliament calls for common rules to ensure that the rights of all national minorities are redressed and respected across the EU.

The rules stipulate that people belonging to national minorities are entitled to equal cultural, linguistic and educational rights, and member states are urged to end discriminatory practices.

MEPs call on the European Commission to draft a directive on minimum standards for minorities in the EU, including benchmarks and measures.

Parliament is also calling on EU countries to end statelessness for Roma people and to guarantee that this minority group enjoys full human rights.

#EUelections2019 - Minorities in the EU

IDAHOBIT 2022 - Supporting all EU families and leaving no one behind:.LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the European Schools

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag next to the EPLOs buildings

Facebook live discussion at the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Marc ANGEL,and Terry REINTKE

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag next to the EP building in Strasbourg

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag next to the EP building in Luxembourg

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag next to the EP building in Brussels

National action plans on LGBTIQ equality conference

Press conference LIBE committee delegation to Hungary

Rainbow flag raised at the EP building in Brussels

International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2021 - Online Round Table ' Best practices on LGBTI+ issues: .Taking Stock and Moving Forward '

EP Plenary session - Declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - The new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy

Rainbow flag in front of EP Headquarters to support the International day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations

DG PERS round table on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow zebra crossing next to the EP building in Brussels

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag hanging on the EP building in Brussels

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)- Rainbow zebra crossing next to the EP building in Brussels

At the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Progress Pride Flags are raised in front of the buildings of the European Parliament in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

On the occasion of IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia) on 17th May 2023, rainbow flags are displayed at the entrance of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. Extracts. Today's rainbow flag has six colors - one meaning for each color: red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), turquoise (magic/art), indigo (serenity) and violet (spirit).

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT): Rainbow flags flown at the entrance of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg

MEPs debate on Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia. Closing statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia: closing statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs debate on Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia. Opening statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia: opening statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

To mark the IDAHOBIT, Rainbow flag was hoisted at the entrance of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT): Rainbow flags at the entrance of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg

In the context of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOT) on the 17th of May, Roberta METSOLA, EP President with Marc ANGEL (S&D, LU) and Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE) discuss the LGBTIQ's rights in Europe. Plus, Tobias PELLICCIARI, Chief Executive Director of International Support Human Rights Transphobia and Biphobia is invited to exchange and debate with MEPs from Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI).

IDAHOBIT: ambiance shots from Facebook Live with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from DROI Subcommittee with, Tobias PELLICCIARI, Chief Executive Director of International Support Human Rights Transphobia and Biphobia

The Civil Liberties Committee discusses the situation in Hungary regarding its LGBTI laws with Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders.

Situation in Hungary, including the LGBTI laws: Opening remark by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Chair and opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice - LIBE Committee

A delegation from the Civil Liberties Committee concluded on Friday a visit to Hungary in which they met with the Government, the opposition, journalists and NGOs. The aim of the trip was to assess the respect for press and academic freedom, judicial independence, the rights of minorities and the wider rule of law context on the ground. The delegation exchanged views with the Justice and Interior ministers, Budapest’s Mayor and representatives of the political opposition. They also met civil society organisations, journalists, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, representatives of academia and the education system, and of several cultural institutions. The delegation was headed by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR). Video of the entire press conference released by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR).

EP Press conference EP LIBE delegation to Hungary, Budapest

Rainer WIELAND, Vice-President of the EP, announces the results of the single vote on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning (LGBTIQ) rights in the EU - Rule 227. Results 671 voting - 387 in favour: 161 against and 123 absentions.

Announcement of the results on the single vote on LGBTIQ rights in the EU - Rule 227

This infoclip illustrates Graffitis pro and anti LGBTIQ community in Krakow (Poland), 2021 Gay pride in Budapest (Hungary), the rainbow flag at the entrance of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, in support of LGBTQI rights.

Infoclip: LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

This Infoclip illustrates European fundamental rights (freedom of press and media, independence of justice, reception of migrants) and European democracy (European elections, MEPs voting in plenary sessions, the Conference on the Future of Europe).

Infoclip: European democracy

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland (first part of the debate).

Joint debate - Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland: MEPs debate (part 1/3)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland. Closing statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Joint debate - Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland: closing statement by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland (part 3 of the debate).

Joint debate - Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland: MEPs debate (part 3/3)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland (second part of the debate).

Joint debate - Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland: MEPs debate (part 2/3)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland. Opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint debate - Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland: opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Nicolaus FEST (ID, DE) and Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL) statements before the first debate. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: MEPs statements before the first debate

Renew leaders meet ahead of the European Council in Brussels: arrivals and roundtable.

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