Rainbow Digest November 2025
For the first time in the EU, a Pride activist is facing criminal charges
EU Member States must recognise same-sex marriages from other EU countries
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that it is unlawful for Poland to refuse to recognise a same-sex marriage concluded by two Polish citizens in Germany.
This case marks a significant step towards the protection of same-sex couples across the EU, notably in countries that still do not provide any legal recognition and protection to same-sex couples, such as Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania and Poland.
ILGA-Europe provided support to the applicants and their lawyers from KMA Law Firm, Paweł Knut, Artur Kula, Anna Mazurczak and Milena Adamczewska-Stachura in this case.
“With this judgment, the CJEU clearly states that the recognition of marriage status is key to enjoying EU citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of movement across the EU. The EC now needs to ensure that this judgment is implemented quickly by the Polish state and across the EU.” Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director at ILGA-Europe
For the first time in the EU, a person is facing criminal charges for organising Pride
Géza Buzás-Hábel, a teacher from Pécs, Hungary’s fifth largest city, has long been the organiser of Pécs Pride, Hungary’s only Pride event outside Budapest. He is also a dedicated educator who has taught Romani language and Roma culture at Europe’s first Roma nationality high school.
In October 2024, hundreds of people marched in Pécs after the assembly was banned under Hungary’s Pride ban. Now, Géza faces up to one year in prison. If convicted, he will lose his right to teach, simply for organising a peaceful Pride march.
This is not only a Hungarian issue. It is a European one. It is time for the European Union to act. Infringement procedures and interim measures are urgently needed to ensure that this case cannot go ahead.
No EU citizen should face criminal charges or imprisonment for organising a peaceful protest.
Kazakhstan moves to ban so-called “LGBTI propaganda”
On 12 November, the lower chamber of the Kazakhstan Parliament, the Mazhilis, adopted provisions banning so-called LGBTI propaganda. All 85 members of the Mazhilis present during the plenary discussion voted in favour.
The provisions will now move to the upper chamber, the Senate, and then to the President of Kazakhstan for his signature before becoming law.
International solidarity is crucial. If you represent an LGBTI organisation, urge your government to raise concerns directly with Kazakhstan.
Everyone can help by sharing this information, talking about it in networks, or supporting media coverage. Local activists are ready to speak publicly. Amplifying their voices makes a difference.
ILGA-Europe news
New report highlights hidden homelessness faced by LGBTI people
New cross-country findings show how systemic stigma and economic vulnerability push LGBTI people into hidden homelessness and long-term instability.
New learning resources on offline community building
We published three new learning resources about Ljubljana Pride’s youth-led mobilisation, WISG’s intersectional and resilient strategies in Georgia, and ILGA-Europe’s Fundraiser event building community strategies. They’re all now available on The Hub, our free learning resource centre for LGBTI activists.
Latest news
CIVIL SOCIETY SPACE
EU Parliament’s NGOs scrutiny group starts on the wrong foot
The EPP and far-right groups in the European Parliament set up the new EU Parliament “NGO Scrutiny Working Group” without any public agenda, no mandate, it is a prime example of lack of transparency. Together with 30 other civil society organisations, we’re calling on the EP’s progressive political groups to maintain their political boycott of the newly created Scrutiny Working Group on NGOs.
EDUCATION
4 in 5 countries have no laws protecting LGBTI youth
ILGA World expands their online database with laws protecting LGBTI youth from school bullying. Data released shows that a large part of the world has yet to adopt explicit legislation to protect LGBTI youth in schools.
EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
EU opens an infringement procedure against Slovakia
The European Commission has formally opened an infringement procedure after Slovakia adopted constitutional amendments claiming to “protect national identity” in a range of areas, including family law, education and “public morality”. According to the Commission, these reforms contradict the primacy of EU law.
Read more about the amendments in Slovakia.
Albania amends the law on gender equality
The Albanian Parliament has adopted the Law On Gender Equality, aligning the definition of gender with the Istanbul Convention while preserving Article 6, which protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Turkey drops anti-LGBTI provisions from the judicial reforms
The Turkish government officials submitted the official package of draft laws to the national parliament, revealing that the previously-planned anti-LGBTI amendments have been removed amid public outcry.
HATE CRIME
281 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered this year
TGEU published the 2025 edition of their Trans Murder Monitoring, revealing a growing number of murder victims are trans movement leaders and activists. 281 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered in the last 12 months. Since 2009, TGEU’s monitoring has recorded 5322 murders worldwide.
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Trans activist is sentenced to jail in Turkey
Janset Kalan, a prominent trans activist in Turkey was sentenced to prison on “obscenity” charges in a ruling her lawyers describe as part of a systematic crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community.
Three activists were detained in Kazakhstan
On 21 November, three LGBTI activists in Kazakhstan were attacked, stalked and detained after intruders disrupted a community event. LGBTI activist Ardzh was tortured while in custody. Zhanar from Feminita and Temirlan from Queer.kz were followed by the same group before being detained and now face fines or charges.
Trans activist is attacked in Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan, a trans woman activist’s apartment was surrounded by aggressive young men. When she sought police protection, officers ignored her requests and left the perpetrators untouched. Community organisers from Kol Kabysh stepped in, supported her and helped her relocate to a safer place.
Notice board
- The European Disability Forum is recruiting an Operations Manager. Apply by 5 January.
- IPPF EN – International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network is looking for an Advocacy Intern and a Strategic Communication Intern. Apply by 7 December.
- The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is looking for an expert on gender-based violence. Apply by 12 December.
- The LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Türkiye have a call for applications from LGBTQIA+ organisations based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia seeking long-term tailored capacity-building support. Apply by 1 December.
- The Williams Institute announced a call for proposals for research grants focused on SOGIESC in least developed, low-, and middle-income countries. Apply by 15 December.
- Digital Freedom Fund invite litigators, activists, journalists, researchers, technical experts, and community organisers to apply for their Digital Democracy Strategic Litigation Hub – a two-day event in February 2026. You can apply to join by 11 December.
- Front Line Defenders is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. Send your nominations by 23 January.
- ACT (Against Conversion Therapy) is planning to issue a statement urging the European Union to take actions toward the elimination of conversion practices. Your organisation can sign the statement by 10 December.
- IGLYO is looking for an organisation to host their International Youth Conference on Counteracting the Anti-Gender Movement in April 2026. Apply before 7 December.
- The IDAHOBIT Advisory Committee announced that 2026’s theme will be “At the heart of democracy”. You can register your event around IDAHOBIT here.
