LGBTIQ+ rights are at the center of political and social discussions across Europe, with both progress and setbacks shaping the current landscape. In response to evolving legal frameworks and emerging challenges, Advancing LGBTIQ+ Equality in Europe: The Role of Equality Bodies offers a comprehensive analysis of how Equality Bodies contribute to advancing LGBTIQ+ equality in Europe, particularly within the current hostile climate and evolving legal and judicial frameworks. Developed by Equinet’s Working Group on Gender Equality and featuring insights from 29 Equality Bodies, the report highlights key strategies, best practices, and areas for future action.
To discuss the key findings of the report and foster collaboration between Equality Bodies and important partners, Equinet will hold a webinar on Monday, 12 May 2025.
State of LGBTIQ+ Equality in Europe: the report
The report offers an overview of the mandates of Equinet Members regarding the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). It highlights the actions they take across various fields of life and aspects of the lived experience of LGBTIQ+ persons, ranging from employment, education, social protection, healthcare, access to and supply of goods and services including housing; to hate speech, hate crime and sexual harassment, family life, legal gender recognition, participation and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ individuals in sports, freedom of assembly and expression, restriction of personal freedom and care-taking. The report includes a chapter focusing on the protected characteristics of gender expression and sex characteristics.
For each of these areas, it presents examples of good practices from Equinet Members, demonstrating the key role Equality Bodies play in advancing LGBTIQ+ equality across Europe.
The Role of Equality Bodies in Advancing LGBTIQ+ Equality
Equality Bodies play a crucial role in protecting the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals, such as that of non-discrimination, are safeguarded.
They are well-positioned to combat discrimination against the LGBTIQ+ community due to their broad range of powers and their institutional nature which allows them to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organizations, rights-holders, duty-bearers, and policy-makers. Additionally, Equality Bodies possess valuable cross-grounds expertise, enabling them to consider the intersection of SOGIESC with other grounds of discrimination. Importantly, Equality Bodies strategically leverage their competencies established by national legislation to act for the protection of LGBTIQ+ individuals even when not explicitly mandated to do so.
Examples of how Equality Bodies take to advance LGBTIQ+ equality and tackle discrimination include:
- Bringing cases to Courts and taking legal action to challenge discrimination.
- Monitoring laws and policies, providing expert recommendations and advocating for stronger legal protections.
- Conducting training, campaigns, and research to inform the public and stakeholders on LGBTIQ+ rights.
- Partnering with civil society, institutions, and governments to strengthen LGBTIQ+ equality.
Strengthening the Impact of Equality Bodies
While Equality Bodies play a pivotal role in protecting LGBTIQ+ rights, they also face significant challenges, including legal limitations, insufficient financial and human resources, and resistance from anti-gender movements and other actors.
In today’s advertising climate for LGBTIQ+ equality, it is fundamental to strengthen Equality Bodies. The recent adoption of the Directive on Standards for Equality Bodies marks a vital step forward in advancing equality, including LGBTIQ+ equality. With a deadline for national implementation by 2026, these Directives provide Equality Bodies with the necessary tools to enhance their efforts. The Directives extend the mandate of Equality Bodies to include sexual orientation in employment and discrimination based on sex (and, to some extent, gender identity) in social security. They also broaden the powers of Equality Bodies to, for instance, investigate discrimination cases or act in Courts as well as ensuring that public authorities must consult them on equality-related laws and policies. Moreover, the Directives require States to facilitate coordination and cooperation. between Equality Bodies and relevant public and private stakeholders. Especially in the current adverse climate to equality and non-discrimination, Equality Bodies need strong alliances. As Europe navigates an increasingly polarized landscape on LGBTIQ+ rights, the role of Equality Bodies has never been more critical. Strengthening their mandates, resources, and collaboration with key stakeholders is essential to ensuring lasting progress. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equal Europe for all.