EU member states unite against Hungary’s anti-LGBTI propaganda law at infringement hearing
On November 19, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held a hearing in the infringement proceedings against Hungary, initiated by the European Commission over anti-LGBTI legislation introduced in 2021. The European Commission argued that the Hungarian state had seriously and blatantly violated EU law. 16 member states are in full agreement.
Kazakhstan’s government will not classify Feminita as extremist
In a closely watched move, a member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, speaking on behalf of the ruling party Amanat, formally requested the government to declare the LGBTI civil society organisation Feminita extremist. However, this month Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov responded to Amanat, stating that labeling the LGBT movement as extremist could be viewed as an infringement on citizens’ rights to participate in public associations.
ILGA-Europe news
Apply for our training on LGBTI homelessness
We’re organising a two-day training on building evidence of LGBTI homelessness and translating it into advocacy actions.
Join our online learning event on Messaging in Times of Crisis
How prepared is your organisation to communicate effectively when a crisis hits?
Register to join us on 4 December.
We’re hiring a new Advocacy Officer
ILGA-Europe is looking for an Advocacy Officer to join our dynamic team to develop new, exciting areas of ILGA-Europe’s policy work aimed at bringing legal, political and social change for LGBTI people across Europe.
Read more and apply by 3 January.
New podcast on new strategies for LGBTI activism
With rising levels of backlash and political scapegoating, how do LGBTI organisations relate to the greater struggle for democracy, freedom and equality? How do we avoid playing into political division in our quest for success? And in a world where there are no easy wins, what does that success look like? The latest episode of The Frontline, recorded at our Annual Conference, looks for new ways forward for activism.
What happened at the 2024 ILGA-Europe Conference
At this year’s ILGA-Europe Annual Conference in Romania, we had three dedicated activist reporters attending sessions across the event, so they could reflect on what was happening right now for the LGBTI movement in Europe and Central Asia.
latest news
BIAS-MOTIVATED VIOLENCE
350 trans people were reported murdered in the last 12 months
TGEU released their annual update of the global Trans Murder Monitoring project. 350 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered since the 2023 update. This is a significant increase in comparison with the previous year, when 321 cases were reported.
Seeking justice and dignity for Uzbekistan’s LBQT women
As the global community marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the hidden struggles of LBQT women in Uzbekistan bring forward urgent calls for decriminalisation and systemic change. Uzbek activists, working tirelessly to amplify these voices, underscore that criminalisation of LGBT identities and strict patriarchal norms create conditions of unchecked violence and discrimination for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women, who face isolation and danger within their own communities and families.
EU research on gender-based violence fails to mention LBTI women
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, European Institute for Gender Equality, and Eurostat published a new publication ‘Key Results of the recent EU Gender-Based Violence Study’ in which LBTI women are not mentioned. ILGA-Europe encourage the EU to increase the use of the Commission’s Guidance note on the collection and use of data for LGBTIQ equality, and to work to ensure that future work on gender-based violence in the EU reflects the realities of LBTI women and LGBTI people.
Equality and non-discrimination
Hadja Lahbib is the new Commissioner for Crisis Preparedness, Prevention and Equality
ILGA-Europe have followed the hearing of the Commissioner-designate for Crisis Preparedness, Prevention and Equality Hadja Lahbib very closely, as her mission letter posed questions about the leadership, level of ambition and resources made available to ensure a strong EU Union of Equality and decisive EU action on the rights and equality of LGBTI people. On 27 November, the European Parliament approved the new Commission.
Family
Limiting access to IVF is found unconstitutional in Slovenia
The Constitutional Court in Slovenia found that limitations to access IVF for same-sex couples and single women are unconstitutional. The national assembly has one year to complete the legal changes in the law.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Uzbekistan plans to ban “LGBT propaganda”
Alisher Qodirov, leader of Uzbekistan’s Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) party, announced that a draft law banning discussions of LGBT topics is being prepared. He referenced a post by Ivanka Trump supporting U.S. measures against “inappropriate sexual content” and “transgender ideology,” calling the shift in focus “very good.” Qodirov confirmed work on legislation prohibiting LGBTQ+ propaganda but provided no further details.
LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION
Kyrgyzstan drafts new regulations on legal gender recognition
The Kyrgyz Ministry of Health has drafted a resolution detailing the medical commission process for trans people to begin transitioning. While the document is adequate, legal gender recognition is not established in law, requiring trans people to go to court to change their gender markers. Additionally, as of January 2024, legislation prohibits transitioning for those under 25.
Notice board
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for inputs for their upcoming report on combatting discrimination, violence and harmful practices against intersex people. Send your input by 20 December.
- The European Commission has a call for proposals for action grants to support transnational projects on training of justice professionals covering civil law, criminal law or fundamental rights. You can send your proposals by 26 March.
- Digital Freedom Fund is accepting applications for funding for strategic litigation to advance digital rights in Europe. Send your proposals by 17 February.
- European AI & Society Fund launched two new funding opportunities: AI Accountability Grants and AI Act Implementation Grants. Applications are open until 6 January.
- Front Line Defenders is currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. Send your nominations by 10 January.
- IGLYO – International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Youth and Student Organisation is organising a webinar on 17 December about organisational development. Register now here.
- ILGA World is hiring for a Research Manager. Read more and apply by 8 December.
- International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) European Network is recruiting an Advocacy Intern and a Strategic Communications Intern. You can apply before 12 December.
- The European Endowment for Democracy is looking for a Grants Assistant Coordinator to support its democracy support work. Read more and apply by 8 December.
- Systemic Justice is looking for a Legal Programme Manager. Read more and apply before 20 December.
- Outright International is conducting a survey for 18 to 28-year-olds about their recent educational experiences in primary and secondary school. Respond to the survey by 15 December.
