ILGA-Europe

As #Ukraine advances on its path toward #EU membership, its commitment to human rights must move forward, not backward. Draft amendments to Ukraine’s Civil Code would roll back protections for #LGBTI people and effectively block the introduction of registered partnerships, despite rulings from Ukraine’s Supreme Court, the European Court of Human Rights, and recent EU case law. The proposals would also weaken protections for women, persons with disabilities, and children. At the same time, they move Ukraine further away from the human rights commitments linked to its EU *#accession process. The Speaker of Parliament and author of the draft, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has publicly stated that registered partnerships will not be legalised and has rejected most of the amendments proposed by human rights organisations. In response, Ukraine’s human rights community is calling on Parliament to reject the entire package. Public opposition has been significant: protests took place across the country on 17 May, a petition gathered 25,000 signatures in just 10 hours, and demonstrations have continued at Odessa Pride, Lviv Pride and today at Kyiv Pride. The return of #Pride events during wartime reflects the determination of Ukraine’s LGBTI community and allies to defend fundamental rights and ensure the country stays on its democratic, human rights and European path. Photo by KyivPride

World Refugee Day is on June 20, the same month during which most countries celebrate Pride. The EU celebrates LGBTI rights through parades and institutional rhetoric, positioning itself as the progressive force of the globe. Yet, the very same EU institutions have recently adopted the Deportation Regulation, which will accelerate the exclusion, mass detention, and deportation of racialised LGBTI asylum seekers and migrants to countries outside of Europe. For racialised LGBTI migrants and asylum seekers, this contradiction is not abstract but deeply lived: while Europe celebrates Pride, it simultaneously strengthens the borders, detention regimes, and deportation systems that deny them protection and belonging. We refuse to speak of queer liberation in isolation from the liberation of all those oppressed by white supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism, and other systems of domination. We commit to building with racialised queer refugees, not for them; to centring their voices, experiences, and leadership in the struggles that shape their lives. That’s why we join this statement with ENAR and Queerstion and other signatories on World Refugee Day, to build community across our struggles. Read the statement and join the call by sharing this post widely. https://lnkd.in/eKDs6rRV

The EU’s Return Regulation, adopted yesterday, is really a Deportation Regulation. It’s presented as a way to make deportations of asylum seekers and migrants more efficient. In reality, it would expand detention, increase surveillance and enforcement, weaken safeguards, and enable transfers to so-called "return hubs" outside the EU. For LGBTI people, the risks are particularly severe. Deportation can mean being sent to countries where they face criminalisation, violence, discrimination or barriers to essential healthcare. Expanded detention and enforcement measures can also deepen existing vulnerabilities and trauma. Protection systems should safeguard people from harm, not expose them to it. Swipe through to learn more about what the proposed Regulation could mean for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, including LGBTI people. Read our full analysis of the Regulation 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJHvmCuz

5 things I'm doing this year to celebrate Pride Month my way 🏳️🌈 (2026 edition) 1️⃣ I am attending and marching at Torremolinos and Madrid Pride, Spain. Spain's first gay bar opened in Torremolinos in 1962, and Madrid Pride is the third biggest in the world! 2️⃣ I donated to ILGA-Europe, an independent organisation that advocates for legal, political, and social equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people. ILGA is the organisation behind the #RainbowMap, and this year Spain sits at the top of the ranking. 3️⃣ I donated to Micro Rainbow, a non-profit organisation, and I again encourage you to do so! They run safe houses and socio-economic programmes for LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. 4️⃣ I’m joining Pride events at VistaPrint. You know you are in the right company and place when an amazing group of people is looking after you this month, and all year round! 5️⃣ Writing posts on LinkedIn like I do every year, because visibility and education are simply the key ✍🏻 Happy Pride Month! #PrideMonth #LGBTQ

We’re #hiring: Senior Programmes Officer (Temporary Cover, full-time) We’re looking for someone who can step into an active portfolio, quickly make sense of complex realities, build strong relationships with activists and partners, and turn strategic thinking into meaningful action. Over the coming months, you will carry forward the work of the ILGA-Europe Racial Justice Fund, accompany grantee partners, and contribute to programme learning and future planning. You will also help design and facilitate movement-support activities focused on mobilisation, base-building and civic engagement. This role is ideal for someone who combines strategic thinking with effective practical delivery and is comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity. 🟡 The position is offered under a replacement contract and is guaranteed until 31 December 2026, with the possibility of longer-term continuation depending on the evolution of organisational needs and funding. 🟡 Please note that we are only accepting candidates that have the legal right to work in Belgium, due to the temporary nature of the role. 🟡 Relocation to Brussels will not be required under this contract. 🟡 Applications close: 23 June, 10:00 CEST. 🟡 Start date: as soon as possible and not later than 1st week of September. 🟡 Salary: 4,748 EUR gross per month. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eMZu_tu7 Please share widely with your networks.

#Uzbekistan is escalating sharply its enforcement of Article 120 of the Criminal Code, which criminalises consensual sexual relations between men and is used to prosecute gay, bisexual men and also trans women. Data documented in our joint statement show a significant increase in criminal cases: from an average of 17 per year in 2021–2023, to 48 in 2024, to 71 cases in the first nine months of 2025 alone. A series of coordinated raids in early 2026 resulted in at least 62 detentions and 34 criminal cases opened. Enforcement goes beyond prosecution. Those detained are subjected to forced invasive examinations which the UN Committee Against Torture and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture have determined constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment that may rise to the level of #torture. Law enforcement use of dating applications for entrapment and extortion has also been documented, as has systematic targeting of trans women sex workers for blackmail and violence. Criminalisation creates structural barriers to public health. Fear of law enforcement contact prevents people from accessing HIV testing, prevention services and treatment, which is a direct obstacle to Uzbekistan's commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. ILGA-Europe has joined ECOM, TGEU, EHRA and MPACT in calling on the Government of Uzbekistan to #repealArticle120, end forced invasive examinations, and align national legislation with its obligations under the ICCPR and the Convention Against Torture. We also call on international partners, including diplomatic missions, bilateral donors and international financial institutions, to raise these issues in human rights dialogues and ensure that development programming applies do-no-harm principles to LGBTI people. Read our joint statement at https://lnkd.in/e-hDgwWp

In the new episode of ILGA-Europe’s podcast, The Frontline, we explore how LGBTI movements can respond to rising political and financial pressures by turning uncertainty into collective power, strengthening cross-border solidarity, and rethinking how we build sustainable impact together. Joining us are: 🎙️ Tamás Dombos of Háttér Society in Hungary. 🎙️ Claudia Bollwinkel joins us, from the philanthropic foundation Dreilinden in Germany. 🎙️ Antonija Stojanović of LORI in Croatia. 🎙️ Jabu Pereira, Senior Fellow at Equality Without Borders and founder of Iranti, an organisation focused on LGBTI rights across Africa. Guided by ILGA-Europe board member Masen Davis, our guests reflect on what movement-building requires in today’s context, and how we can work more strategically across differences while staying grounded in shared purpose. How do we broaden participation without losing clarity of purpose? How do we build alliances across diverse contexts? And how do we use limited resources in ways that strengthen, rather than fragment, our collective work? This conversation brings together perspectives from across regions and realities, but with a shared focus: how to build movements that don’t just withstand pressure, but grow stronger through it. Listen now 👉 https://lnkd.in/edxUTddy

We’re #hiring: Senior Programmes Officer (Temporary Cover, full-time) A typical day on the job might include: 🟡 Speaking with grantee partners to understand emerging needs and identify how ILGA-Europe can best support their work. 🟡 Reviewing reports and notes from the previous phase of the programme and drawing out key learning and recommendations for future work. 🟡 Facilitating an online exchange session with activists working on base building. 🟡 Meeting with colleagues to discuss developments in your portfolio and identify opportunities to strengthen the impact of our work across teams. 🟡 Providing feedback and support to a grantee partner on their request for changes in the scope of their project and budget. 🟡 Working on an internal programme reflection document that brings together developments, learning and recommendations from across the portfolio. 🟡 Thinking through how to create a meaningful experience for participants at an upcoming in-person meeting. A large part of the role takes place behind a desk, whether communicating with activists, grantee partners, colleagues or funders, analysing information, writing, planning activities, or working with tools such as Zoom, Outlook, Slack and Excel. You will work across several activities simultaneously, manage your own priorities, and regularly switch between strategic thinking and practical implementation. You will work closely with colleagues across ILGA-Europe to ensure that different strands of our work are connected and mutually reinforcing. You will also contribute to broader organisational priorities, including learning and reflection processes, communications work, fundraising and reporting, and the Annual Conference. Learn more and apply by 23 June: https://lnkd.in/eMZu_tu7