On Wednesday 8 October, the European Commission presented its new LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy (2026-2030). This text, which is an extension of the initial 2020-2025 plan, has three priorities: protecting people from hatred and violence, ensuring equal rights and mobilising both Member States and civil society.
However, given the opposition to fundamental rights on the part of certain Member State governments, the question arises as to the true scope of the European Union’s action in this area.
Countering conversion therapies and online hate. The European Commission has made combating conversion practices – aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity – one of its priorities.
According to the figures from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, almost a quarter of LGBTIQ+ people as a whole and half of trans people have been victims of them.
A study will be launched on their nature and prevalence, taking into account the European citizens’ initiative recently tabled to ban these practices in the EU (see EUROPE 13642/21).
“These practices are not therapies, they are an attack on human dignity”, European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, told the press, calling on the Member States to take action.
In addition, the Commission will set up a knowledge hub to strengthen the monitoring of the ‘Code of conduct+’, a voluntary instrument signed by the major platforms, and is preparing a European action plan against cyberbullying, particularly against young LGBTIQ+ people.
In the absence of agreement among Member States to include hate speech in the list of European crimes, the Commission is now considering a legislative initiative based on existing powers to harmonise the definition of online hate crimes.
Supporting organisations. The Commission also wants to ensure equal access to employment, health, education and housing. An assessment report on the Employment Equality Directive will be published in 2026, together with new guidelines to promote inclusive recruitment practices.
In addition, greater financial support will be allocated to civil society. Up to €3.6 billion is earmarked for the future AgoraEU programme (see EUROPE 13683/5), which will follow on from the CERV programme and include a greater focus on equality and the fight against gender-based violence.
Mobilising the Member States. Thirteen EU countries already have a national LGBTIQ+ strategy. The Commission is calling on the other fourteen to draw up a plan as soon as possible and is offering support.
“Equality is not just one community’s fight, it’s everyone’s fight”, said Hadja Lahbib.
In addition, the Commission presents itself as the “guardian of the Treaties”, but does not announce any automatic mechanisms for dealing with breaches. Questioned on this point, Ms Lahbib advocated a gradual approach, favouring cooperation over immediate sanctions.
This position has been criticised by NGOs. Forbidden Colours and ILGA-Europe, who welcome the recognition of the issues, criticise the Strategy for being “too cautious”, with no real binding tools.
They are calling for systematic infringement proceedings, for example against Hungary where ‘pride marches’ have been banned (see EUROPE 13720/23).
The Strategy: https://aeur.eu/f/iue (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)