
Before the EU Elections next June, a recent report reveals a significant increase in anti-LGBTI, especially transphobic, remarks made by politicians throughout Europe.
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Concerns rise over increasing transphobic rhetoric in Europe ahead of EU Elections
Published on February 29 by ILGA-Europe, the 13th Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI People in Europe and Central Asia reveals alarming instances of hate speech from politicians in 32 European countries last year, with 21 of them being EU member states.
There has been a clear accumulation of hate speech against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) community from officials across Europe, much of it targeting trans people, in countries including EU member states Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.
The majority of anti-trans statements often exploit children, employing scare tactics to oppose trans minors’ healthcare access and educational restrictions. This trend extends to the use of children, as politicians in Europe argue that restricting information about LGBTI individuals protects minors.
The report indicates that the demonisation by politicians, along with efforts to enact related laws, is impacting suicide rates and mental health, particularly among young LGBTI individuals. This has resulted in a surge of violent demonstrations outside educational institutions and libraries, endangering the youth.
Furthermore, this fear-inducing behavior has directly contributed to an increase in attacks against LGBTI individuals. Out of the 54 countries included in the Review, only six reported zero hate crimes in 2023. In the remaining 48 countries, a significant portion of the documented verbal and physical abuse was directed at transgender individuals. Just one EU member state reported no hate crimes.
Says Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director with ILGA-Europe: «It is in this climate that the European Parliament elections will take place next June. The public discourse is becoming more polarised and violent, particularly against trans people, and the LGBTI community has experienced the highest and most severe violence across Europe in decades».
«The very core values and standards upon which the EU was founded – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law – are being called into question, and human rights, and in particular the human rights of LGBTI people, are facing a strong challenge from far-right forces. LGBTI people’s rights and humanity are increasingly being exploited to divide societies, undermine democracy, the rule of law and human rights».
Next week, ILGA-Europe will launch their «Come Out 4 Europe’»campaign, which will give candidates for the European Parliament an opportunity to show how they will support and protect the rights of LGBTI people as elected members of the European Parliament.
Says Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, Chaber: «LGBTI rights are under attack, and children are being harmed in the process. As we witness the rise of political forces that question basic fundamental rights and freedom, the elections next June will be a pivotal moment for the EU, and for LGBTI people. In light of the findings of the 2024 Annual Review, our
campaign will call for clear political commitments on safeguarding human rights, democracy and freedom from candidates for the European Parliament».