By Juliane Marie Neiiendam

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s 'Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030' as a vital step towards ensuring that everyone in the European Union can live freely, safely and with dignity. At a time when fundamental rights and democratic values are under increasing pressure, reaffirming this commitment is more important than ever.

Despite progress in recent years, discrimination, violence and exclusion remain a daily reality for many LGBTIQ+ people across Europe, particularly for trans, non-binary and intersex persons, and in environments where civic space is shrinking.

Against this backdrop, in its opinion on the Commission's strategy, the EESC stresses that the key challenge is no longer only setting ambitious goals, but ensuring effective implementation. Rights must be meaningful in practice, not only on paper.

European courts are playing an increasingly important role. Their rulings clarify rights and make them directly applicable across Member States. In doing so, they create a concrete push for implementation and help ensure that fundamental rights are not only written in law but respected in people’s daily lives.

The EESC calls for stronger monitoring, enforcement and accountability, and reiterates the importance of adopting the long-awaited Horizontal Equal Treatment Directive to close existing legal gaps. It also stresses the need to safeguard civic space and respond firmly to discriminatory practices, including by countering misinformation and strengthening awareness of intersectional discrimination.

Our opinion highlights the essential role of social partners in promoting inclusive workplaces. Through social dialogue and collective bargaining, they can help translate legal protections into concrete improvements in working conditions. The EESC calls for practical support, training and guidance—developed together with civil society—to advance fair recruitment, career progression and safe working environments, and to support gender transition at work.

The EESC underlines the need for inclusive and competent healthcare, including mental health support and gender-affirming care, as well as a binding ban on conversion practices.

The EESC supports that legal gender recognition should be based on self-determination, in line with fundamental rights. It also calls for stronger EU support for safe and inclusive schools, including comprehensive sexuality education and teacher training, to ensure that all young people can learn in an environment free from fear and discrimination.

More broadly, the opinion underlines the link between equality and social conditions. Many LGBTIQ+ people face higher risks of poverty, housing insecurity and exclusion, particularly those experiencing multiple forms of discrimination. Addressing these inequalities is essential to achieving real and lasting inclusion.

Looking ahead, the EESC addresses emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence and online hate, to ensure that new technologies do not reinforce or create new forms of discrimination. It also promotes inclusion in culture, sport and public life, recognising the importance of visibility, participation and dignity in all areas of society.

Ultimately, the EESC calls for a renewed and collective effort to turn commitments into tangible change. A true Union of Equality requires not only political will, but sustained action ─ ensuring that LGBTIQ+ people across Europe can fully enjoy their rights in everyday life.