Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

20/10/2026

🌈 How can LGBTIQ inclusion help local communities thrive?

Today, the Council of Europe’s SOGIESC Unit and EPBN are bringing municipalities together for the second webinar in their LGBTIQ workplace inclusion series. Building on the first session about translating European standards into local practice, this time we’re looking at the economic case for LGBTIQ equality in local communities - and the practical choices available to local authorities.

With insights from Open for Business and examples from across Europe, participants will explore how local authorities can help create communities where people and businesses can flourish. 🤝

This collaboration is part of the EU/CoE joint project “Combating Anti-LGBTIQ Violence and Hate Speech, and Strengthening Awareness and Fact-based Narratives about LGBTIQ People.”



➡️ Learn more: https://go.coe.int/ix2bl

08/10/2026

📢 The LGBTIQ Anti-rumours Toolkit is now out!

Launched at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Rainbow Cities Network on 8 October 2026, the toolkit was developed by the SOGIESC Unit of the Council of Europe in collaboration with Diversit. It offers practical guidance for local authorities and civil society organisations working to challenge prejudice and discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

🛠️ Bringing together 16 practical tools, it provides a flexible approach to address misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, while encouraging critical thinking, dialogue and collaboration rather than simply responding to harmful narratives. 🤝

Prior to its launch, the toolkit was tested with the Spanish cities of Getafe and Santa Coloma de Gramenet and is now available to all stakeholders aiming at building more inclusive communities.



➡️ Learn more: https://go.coe.int/ITzGP

29/09/2026

Online Workshop Empowers European Cities to Champion LGBTIQ Workplace Inclusion! 🌍🏳️‍🌈

Today, the SOGIESC Unit of the Council of Europe and the European Pride Business Network are organising a dynamic online workshop: “From European Anti-Discrimination and Workplace Inclusion Standards to Local Action.”

Municipal staff from the Intercultural Cities Programme and Rainbow Cities Network are coming together to learn how to turn European anti-discrimination standards into real workplace policies that prevent discrimination and foster LGBTIQ inclusion. 🤝

Participants will reflect on practical challenges, identify gaps between formal policy and lived workplace experiences, and exchange best practices. It’s the start of a broader initiative helping cities move beyond compliance towards real inclusion. 🚀

This workshop is part of the EU/CoE joint project “Combating Anti-LGBTIQ Violence and Hate Speech, and Strengthening Awareness and Fact-based Narratives about LGBTIQ People.” 📢


➡️ Learn more: https://go.coe.int/3iRW0

24/09/2026

🌈 Everyone should be able to live freely and safely, with equal rights and dignity.

🇪🇺 The Committee of Ministers adopted the first Council of Europe Strategy for Equal Rights for LGBTI People, providing a framework for advancing that goal across Europe from 2027 to 2032.

⚖️ While important progress has been made, discrimination, violence, hate speech and disinformation continue to affect LGBTI people. The Strategy sets four priorities:

🤝 Promoting respect and inclusion 📢 Countering disinformation 🛡️ Preventing violence and hatred ⚖️ Strengthening legal and institutional protection

🏠📚💼🏥 It will guide action in areas including private and family life, education, employment, healthcare, public services, victim support, civil society participation and the responsible use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. 💻

🔎 Find out more about how the Strategy will help turn Europe’s human rights standards into more consistent protection in practice:

🔗

The Strategy for 2027–2032 provides a structured framework for implementing existing human rights commitments to advance equality and prevent discrimination and violence The Committee of...

24/09/2026

🗣️ Hate speech targeting LGBTI people has consequences far beyond words.

It can take a serious toll on the well-being of LGBTI people, discourage them from using public services or participating in public life, and create a climate in which discrimination and violence become more acceptable. When people are silenced or excluded in this way, social cohesion and democracy also suffer.

📘 A new Council of Europe report examines how member States are addressing hate speech based on s*xual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and s*x characteristics. It identifies promising practices, but also significant gaps in legislation, reporting, victim support and enforcement.

📢 Its 19 recommendations call for stronger legal protection, accessible reporting and support, better-trained institutions, sustainable cooperation with civil society and more effective responses to online and AI-generated hate speech.

🤝 Protecting people from hate speech means protecting their right to participate in society freely, safely and equally.

🔗 Learn more and read the report:

11/09/2026

🌈 Making Rights a Reality: Training on Strategic Litigation and Advocacy for the Implementation of SOGIESC Judgments
On 9–10 September 2026, civil society representatives from 20 Council of Europe member states joined a pilot training in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on strategic litigation and legal advocacy for protecting the human rights of and advancing equality for LGBTI people. Organised by the Council of Europe’s SOGIESC Unit, together with TGEU, ILGA Europe and the European Implementation Network (EIN), the training focused on using strategic litigation before the European Court of Human Rights to address rights violations, and advocating for the effective implementation of the Court’s judgments at national level.
Through group exercises and peer learning, participants developed advocacy strategies, deepened their understanding of the Court procedures, and explored opportunities for impactful change at national and European levels.
The event also piloted “Making Rights a Reality: A Practical Guide to Litigation and Advocacy for the Implementation of SOGIESC Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights” set for publication later this year.
Key message: the Court rulings mark important milestones for rights, but real change on the ground depends on turning these judgments into lasting reforms.
We look forward to building on the experience of this pilot and continuing our work through future training and capacity building activities to advance equality for LGBTI persons across Europe!

TGEU - Trans Europe and Central Asia ILGA-Europe
➡️Learn more: https://go.coe.int/f9u6y

07/09/2026

🌈 Strengthening Implementation of the Court’s Judgments on SOGIESC
• What does it take to turn the SOGIESC judgments of the ECtHR into real change on the ground?
• What role can civil society play in making that happen?
The thematic briefing session organised by the Council of Europe Unit in partnership with the on 4 September 2026, ahead of the September Committee of Ministers Human Rights meeting (CM-DH), addressed these questions.
Civil society organisations shared evidence, experiences and perspectives from the ground, highlighting remaining legislative and practical barriers to the implementation of judgments concerning the rights of LGBTI persons on three priority areas:
• Registered partnerships and legal recognition of same-s*x couples
• Legal gender recognition
• Freedom of assembly & combating hate crime
The briefing highlighted the important role civil society can play in supporting the Committee of Ministers’ supervision of judgments by providing timely briefings and sharing data and evidence from the ground and in helping identify where action is still needed.
Sustained dialogue, coordinated action and collective commitment are essential to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Court’s judgments, and ultimately to protecting the rights and equality of LGBTI persons and upholding the values of the system.

07/08/2026

Today, the Council of Europe S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit is taking part in Workplace Pride Pride Amsterdam to discuss the current and future state of LGBTI inclusion in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Yanna Parnin, Head of the SOGIESC Unit, highlights the link between fostering inclusive workplaces and strengthening democracy across the continent, as set out by the Council of Europe’s .
LGBTI inclusive cities are more innovative, hold a higher retention rate for business and attract more talent. Discrimination, on the other hand, in addition to the personal costs to those affected, has the very tangible consequence of economic losses reflected in the national GDP.
The Council of Europe’s objective is to ensure that progress is not isolated, but becomes systemic, durable and resilient across Europe. We are committed to supporting inclusion in workplaces through common standards, guidance and dialogue.

➡️ Learn more: https://go.coe.int/75ET9

06/08/2026

At , on 6 August 2026, the Council of Europe S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit, together with the European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups, presented the new communication toolkit “Countering Hate Speech and Strengthening Words of Inclusion: The Use of Language by Religious Actors and Communities of Faith” as part of the Religious Pride track of the Human Rights Conference.
It includes:
📘 A practical guide offering actionable strategies to help religious leaders and communities engage constructively with their traditions, foster inclusive language, and counter hate speech;
🎥 A series of educational videos designed for use in educational, pastoral and dialogue settings, including training programmes and human rights education initiatives.
In addition to the presentation of the toolkit, the session also highlights practical uses of both guide and videos and possible dissemination pathways in the months to come.


➡️ Learn more: https://go.coe.int/EfFrA

06/08/2026

The Council of Europe S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit is speaking today at 2026 Human Rights Conference, taking place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 5 to 7 August 2026.
At the panel discussion on “Political Leadership at the Global Level: mechanisms and programmes of international institutions to advance equal rights for LGBTQIA+ persons” Parnin, Head of the SOGIESC Unit, exchanges with other international organisations on the available instruments that help set a framework for inclusion and promote human rights.
This global event gathers international organisations, government representatives, academia, businesses and civil society, to raise visibility and awareness of LGBTI issues worldwide. Under the theme of “Unity”, World Pride and the city of Amsterdam aim to show that tolerance, connectedness and love are key to fighting intolerance.
We look forward to making the most out of this global platform, forging new connections and strengthening collaborations with co-organisers and participants alike.

➡️ Learn more: https://go.coe.int/gSK2D