On 8 October 2025, the European Commission published its new LGBTIQ+ equality strategy for the period 2026 to 2030. According to the Commission, this strategy seeks to build on the ambition and achievements of the 2020-2025 equality strategy and is part of the EU’s effort to build a Union where ‘diversity is celebrated as part of our collective richness, where all people can be themselves without risk of discrimination, exclusion or violence’. While data from the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency show that LGBTIQ people’s social acceptance has steadily increased across the EU, there is also evidence that discrimination, hate and violence against LGBTIQ communities not only persist but have reached a new high. Based on a comparative analysis, it appears that, overall, the Commission has followed up on most of its key actions proposed in the 2020-2025 strategy. By adopting a new LGBTIQ equality strategy for the period 2026 to 2030 and re-appointing an Equality Commissioner, the Commission met two key demands of stakeholders, including the European Parliament. Compared with the previous 2020-2025 strategy, the 16 key actions proposed under the new strategy concern mostly non-legislative and support measures. The Commission has proposed to more than double the funding for LGBTIQ support under the next multiannual financial framework. Consistent implementation and enforcement will be essential. This holds true for both the Commission and the Member States, particularly where the rule of law is under threat.
Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
