Rainbow Digest April 2026
Hungary’s Magyar faces his first real test on LGBTI rights
Infringement ruling tests whether Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister will put his pro-EU commitments into practice
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a landmark ruling on 21 April, finding that Hungary’s 2021 “anti-LGBTI propaganda” law violates the foundational values of the EU. For the first time in the Court’s history, judges found a standalone breach of Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, the provision that enshrines the Union’s core values, ruling that the law systemically undermines the rights of a minority group and dehumanises LGBTI people. The ruling also found violations of multiple EU directives and several provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The verdict lands at a pivotal political moment for Péter Magyar, Hungary’s pro-EU Prime Minister elect. Will his European commitments translate into action? Repealing the 2021 law and lifting the ban on Pride events would be the clearest possible signal that Hungary is ready to turn the page. So far, that commitment has not been made.
“Hungary cannot enter a post-Orbán era without repealing this legislation, including the Pride ban”
Katrin Hugendubel, ILGA-Europe’s deputy director
The ruling is the result of years of determined advocacy. When the law was adopted in 2021, ILGA-Europe joined Hungarian LGBT organisation Háttér Társaság and others in immediately alerting the European Commission that it breached EU rules and the Treaties. That coalition of organisations kept up the pressure ever since, and this week their work produced a historic result.
The ruling has set a precedent. What Magyar does with it will say everything about the kind of leader he intends to be.
ILGA-Europe news
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Latest news
CONVERSION PRACTICES
European Parliament votes on conversion practices ban
On 29 April, the European Parliament voted on a report on threats to women’s rights, LGBTIQ+ equality, civic space, media freedom and journalists’ safety in the EU. The report included a motion that urges the European Commission to present a proposal for a legal act establishing an EU ban on conversion practices in all Member States. The Commission will respond to the European Citizens’ Initiative on conversion practices ban on 18 May.
FAMILY
Lithuania plans to hold an anti-gender referendum
A group of Lithuanian MPs registered a draft resolution proposing a referendum, asking citizens whether they agree that the Constitution should explicitly state that “family legal relations arise only from the marriage of a man and a woman, motherhood and fatherhood.” On 9 April, the Seimas passed the referendum initiative.
Ukraine’s draft law excludes same-sex families from legal protection
On 28 April, Ukraine’s parliament passed a new Civil Code in its first reading that defines “de facto family unions” as exclusively opposite-sex partnerships, explicitly excluding same-sex families and overriding existing court decisions that had already recognised them. Press freedom, women’s and children’s rights, and the legal foundations that civil society organisations depend on to operate are also all affected.
FREEDOMS
Criminal cases against LGBTI+ activists in Turkey continue
On 8 April, the first hearing took place for the case against 11 people, including members of the Young LGBTI+ Association’s board members on charges of violating the law on associations. The case follows the December-dated court order to dissolve the organisation on the grounds of “obscenity”. The hearing is rescheduled for 14 October.
President of Belarus signs the “anti-LGBT propaganda” law
On 15 April, Alexander Lukashenko signed into law the bill introducing penalties for so-called “LGBT propaganda”. The legislation imposes fines and other sanctions for sharing information related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or even childfree lifestyles, with harsher penalties where minors are involved. The law will come into effect in two months.
Russian LGBT Network is labelled “extremist”
On 27 April, a Russian court designated the Russian LGBT Network an “extremist organisation” and imposed a nationwide ban on its activities. Last month, Coming Out LGBT Group was also labelled extremist. This is not a symbolic move. It is a direct criminalisation of an organisation supporting LGBTI communities, placing activists, staff, and anyone connected to them at serious risk of prosecution.
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
LGBTI activist Zhanar is unlawfully convicted in Kazakhstan
On 22 April, a court in Kazakhstan convicted LGBTI activist Zhanar Sekerbaeva of battery and fined her with penalty. The decision is a textbook case of the justice system being weaponised to punish activists for defending themselves and for speaking up. It is politically motivated and part of a broader, systemic pattern of intimidation against human rights defenders in Kazakhstan.
Get in touch with Feminita for your support.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development commits to gender equality
EBRD’s draft Strategy recognises the persistent structural barriers faced by women and LGBTIQ+ people, including unequal access to employment, finance, infrastructure and public services, as well as gender-based violence and the criminalisation of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
European Parliament proposes consent-based rape legislation
On 28 April, the European Parliament adopted a report that calls on the European Commission to propose legislation establishing a common definition of rape based on freely given, informed, and revocable consent.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Have your say on the future of housing in the EU
The European Commission is conducting a study on equal treatment in housing in the European Union. Civil society organisations are invited to fill out an online survey until 26 June. Individuals can join online focus groups or interviews until 8 May. Your insights will be key in shaping a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and informing future actions on housing.
European Commission needs to take a strong and decisive stance on anti-poverty
On 6 May, the European Commission will launch the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. However, in the face of the EU’s failure to consider poverty in newly adopted frameworks, the Coalition on the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy urges the Commission to ensure the strategy is ambitious, human-rights based, and backed by adequate funding.
MOVEMENT
Feminist organisations across Europe launch joint manifesto for transfeminist solidarity
TGEU, AWID, Deutscher Frauenrat, EL*C, ENAR, Heinrich Böll Foundation, and IPPF European Network launched ‘In This Together’ – a joint campaign and a messaging toolkit as an invitation to choose solidarity over division, to expand rather than narrow our understanding, and to defend a feminist future where everyone is free to live safely as themselves.
Notice board
- The European Disability Forum is recruiting a Communications Officer to join their team in Brussels. Apply here by 11 May.
- The European Center for Digital Action offers two webinars next month: “Mobilizing stories into action: The power of public narrative” on 13 May and “Attention and authenticity: Drivers of 2026 political messaging” on 20 May. Register now.
- Civil society organisations in Iceland, Lithuania, Moldova can submit their shadow report for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Send your report by 25 June.
- Adidas Foundation and IGLYO invite organisations based in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia that are interested in learning more about how to make sport inclusive for LGBTQIA+ youth to apply for financial and mentorship support. Apply here by 12 May.
- The Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, the Nordic Council of Ministers, and the Council of Europe are co-hosting the 13th European IDAHOT+ Forum on 19 May in Copenhagen. Register now.
