Equality for lesbians and gay men- a relevant issue in EU accession process

This report, from 2001, maps the legal and social situation of lesbians and gay men in 13 candidate countries to EU accession.

Three years after the publication of the “Equality Report” on the situation of lesbians and gay men in the EU Member States, ILGA-Europe has produced the current report, “Equality for Lesbians and Gay Men – A Relevant Issue in the EU Accession Process”, with a view to filling the information gap regarding the situation for lesbians and gay men in the candidate countries. The report was produced as part of the project “Lesbian and Gay People in Candidate Countries to EU Membership”. 

All 13 accession countries are represented with individual reports: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey. A further chapter presents the European Union’s legislation and policies that are relevant to the rights of lesbians and gays in the accession countries, policies which have developed very significantly in the recent past.

See also

Podcast

The Frontline: Lessons from Cyprus in Solidarity and Resistance

Cyprus is often framed as a polarised place, but its LGBTI movement is rewriting that story. In this episode of The Frontline, activists from both […]
read more
News

Statement: Alarming escalation in repression of LGBTI activists and organisations in Turkey

Europe’s leading LGBTI organisation, ILGA-Europe express deep concern at this week’s court ruling in Turkey to shut down the LGBTI youth organisation, Genç LGBTI, noting […]
read more
Press Release

Reports say police seek charges against Budapest Mayor for organising Pride

Emerging reports deepen concerns over misuse of the Assembly Act and shrinking democratic space in Hungary. ILGA-Europe are deeply concerned by emerging reports that the […]
read more
Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: the pressure facing Pride organisers in Hungary

Brussels briefing sheds new light on the pressure facing Pride organisers in Hungary and the stakes for the European Union At a media briefing in […]
read more
Blog

Q&A: Everything you want to know about the recent ruling on recognition of same-sex marriages in the EU

Here is a concise overview of what the new Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) ruling means for same sex couples moving or living […]
read more
News

We welcome the EU’s Top Court landmark judgment: 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 […]
read more
Press Release

Press Release: New Report Highlights Hidden Homelessness Faced by LGBTI People in Europe

New cross-country findings show how systemic stigma and economic vulnerability push LGBTI people into hidden homelessness and long-term instability. Brussels, 21/11/2025 – A new report […]
read more
Report

The Power of Data – Addressing LGBTI Homelessness in Europe

ILGA-Europe’s briefing combines research carried out in 2023–2024 by five partner organisations and shows that LGBTI homelessness is widespread, often hidden, and rooted in intersecting […]
read more
Blog

The ILGA-Europe Annual Conference 2025 in Pictures

For four days in Vilnius, our photographer was there to capture every memorable moment of this year’s Annual Conference. Here are the highlights! This October, […]
read more
Press Release

From Courtrooms to Parliament: Lithuania Faces a Defining Moment for Family Equality

Lithuania is entering a decisive phase in the recognition and protection of diverse families. Following landmark judicial rulings, civil partnership is now firmly on the […]
read more
News

Joint open letter on new Constitutional amendments adopted in Slovakia

Along with 56 civil society organisations, we have co-signed a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath […]
read more
News

Our letter to von der Leyen on freedom of assembly in hungary

Last week, on september 23, we sent this letter to President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, alongside Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and […]
read more
Blog

Enes Hocaoğulları defends free expression as trial highlights crackdown on human rights in Turkey

On 8 September, the courtroom in Ankara was filled to capacity. Representatives from civil society, political parties, and parliamentarians came to observe the trial of […]
read more
Blog

Turkey’s war on free expression and the courage of Enes Hocaoğulları

By jailing a youth delegate for speaking at the Council of Europe about police violence, Turkish authorities have shown how far they will go to […]
read more
Blog

No borders, just beats: Temple Of’s sonic rebellion

Built by queer immigrants reclaiming joy and cultural memory, Temple Of is a collective transforming resistance into celebration through sound and care. “We are a […]
read more
Blog

Hungary assembly act timeline

read more
Blog

The ILGA-Europe Turkey Pride Monitor

For three years now, ILGA-Europe has been closely following the escalating repression of LGBTI Pride events in Turkey. Each summer, courageous activists across the country […]
read more
News

Joint statement welcoming European court’s ruling against Poland over anti-gay hate crime

The European Court of Human Rights has issued a judgement against Poland for failing to properly investigate and prosecute a homophobic attack against a gay […]
read more
News

Together in Pride, Together in Protest

Joint Statement by the European Trade Union Confederation and ILGA-Europe The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and ILGA-Europe stand united in defending the rights and […]
read more
News

Budapest Pride Could Have Been Legal and Safe. The European Commission Chose Otherwise.

By refusing to act, the European Commission enabled the ban and left activists alone to defend fundamental rights. A joint declaration by ILGA-Europe, Forbidden Colours, […]
read more
Blog

Against the odds: progress for LGBTI rights in Europe

While setbacks for LgbtI rights have dominated the headlines from this year’s Rainbow Map, a quieter story of resilience and progress is unfolding. In the […]
read more
Blog

Not Just Pride in Hungary: More from this year’s Rainbow Map

While the UK, Hungary and Georgia captured the negative spotlight on this year’s Rainbow Map, deeper changes are reshaping the LGBTI rights landscape across Europe.  […]
read more
Press Release

European Court rules Czech Republic violated trans rights with forced sterilisation

In a pivotal judgment delivered today, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has found that the Czech Republic violates the rights of trans people […]
read more
Press Release

Pride Ban Must Not Go Ahead as EU Advocate General Confirms Hungary’s ‘Child Protection Law’ Breaches EU Law

In a major development, Advocate General of Europe’s top court has issued an opinion considering Hungary’s anti-LGBTI legislation to be in breach of EU law, […]
read more
Press Release

Press release: Turkey poised to further roll back LGBTI rights amid ongoing democratic crackdown

As democracy continues to come under attack in Turkey, a draft law moving through parliament threatens to impose harsh criminal measures targeting LGBTI people A […]
read more
Report

EU Enlargement Review 2025

ILGA-Europe and ERA launched our joint LGBTI Enlargement Review assessing gaps in legislation and policy for the human rights of LGBTI people in the enlargement […]
read more
News

What the CJEU AG’s Opinion in the infringement case against Hungary means for LGBTI equality in the EU

The CJEU Advocate General has just delivered her Opinion in the Commission v Hungary “EU values” infringement case (C-769/22) – a major CJEU case on […]
read more
News

Joint Statement: CJEU to rule on landmark case regarding ban on legal gender recognition in Bulgaria

The European Court of Justice has held a pivotal hearing in the Shipov case, challenging Bulgaria’s de facto ban on legal gender recognition and whether […]
read more
Blog

Banning Pride is a fundamental threat to democracy: Why the EU cannot look away from Hungary

As Hungary becomes the first EU country to ban and criminalise a Pride march, the European Commission’s failure to respond signals a deeper crisis for […]
read more
Press Release

Press release: UK joins Hungary and Georgia With the Biggest Drops on Annual LGBTI Rights Ranking

The UK has dropped six places in ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map, as Hungary and Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how […]
read more