EESC marks Pride Week, champions LGBTIQ Rights

With Brussels Pride Week currently underway, it is important to take stock of the situation surrounding the rights of LGBTIQ persons in Europe. Though there are significant variations between Member States,  overall, 37 % of LGBTIQ respondents to a recent EU-wide survey felt discriminated due to their belonging to this community. Though there has been gradual progress on equality-related issues over the years, there is still much work to be done and the EESC is at the forefront of such efforts.

The EESC has actively supported the European Commission’s LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025, which aims to reduce discrimination and ensure the safety and fundamental rights of LGBTIQ individuals throughout the EU. Even before the Strategy was issued, the EESC in 2012 called for the extension of the Equal Treatment and Employment Directive to protect transgender, non-binary, intersex, and queer people against discrimination in the workplace and beyond.

The Committee adopted an opinion on the Strategy in 2021, urging Member States to develop and execute national action plans. Furthermore, under the umbrella of the Strategy, the Committee has adopted a series of related opinions in defence of LGBTIQ rights including: No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred (adopted in 2024); Measures to fight stigma against HIV (adopted in 2023) and the Initiative to extend the list of EU crimes to all forms of hate crime and hate speech (adopted in 2022).

The “No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred” opinion outlines several key measures to combat hate in Europe, including:

• ensuring sufficient resources for civil society organizations (CSOs) to facilitate reporting
• mediation, and legal assistance for hate crime victims
• enhancing coordination between EU institutions and Member States to fight disinformation and foreign interference.

The text calls for the inclusion of hate speech and hate crime in the list of EU crimes, the establishment of a network of national law enforcement contact points, and the implementation of the 2008 Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia. It stresses the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, including persons belonging to the LGBTIQ community.

The Measures to fight stigma against HIV opinion sets out several key actions to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination by 2030, including:

• promoting awareness-raising, training, and information campaigns, especially in schools
• ensuring equal opportunities for people with HIV in the workplace, including flexible working hours

The text emphasises the importance of removing barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to increase access and implementing targeted prevention programs for key populations such as drug users, sex workers, and migrants. It further stresses the crucial role of community-led organisations in promoting accountability and driving prevention efforts.

The opinion "Initiative to extend the list of EU crimes to all forms of hate crime and hate speech" stresses the need for a comprehensive EU-level legislative framework to combat hate crimes and hate speech effectively. Key measures include:

• defining hate speech and hate crime as EU crimes
• ensuring coordinated definitions and approaches across Member States
• enhancing the role of civil society organisations in monitoring and promoting safe environments.

The text highlights the importance of compulsory training for law enforcement personnel, targeted actions in public spaces, and collaboration with social media platforms to address online hate. It also calls for better protection and support for victims, increased awareness and education on the impacts of hate speech and hate crime.

The full list of opinions related to the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 is available here.

Advocacy, conferences and promotion efforts

The EESC has set up an Ad hoc Group on Equality (AHGE or "Equality Group"), which has been in place since 2020, tasked with promoting a cross-cutting culture of equality within the EESC, including all aspects of this principle.

The EESC regularly organises hearings, conferences and forums to discuss and promote LGBTIQ rights. A notable upcoming event is the lunchtime conference which will be organised on 22 May entitled "Proud in Europe - how our continent became the most LGBTIQ tolerant in the world," which will highlight the progress and challenges in achieving LGBTIQ equality.