“Local and regional authorities must act to ensure the rights of LGBTI people by law, even in the face of powerful opposition.  This report makes clear how they should do it – no ifs, buts or maybes”, said Helen Belcher (United Kingdom, ILDG), co-rapporteur for the report “Free to speak, free to meet: guaranteeing the rights of LGBTI persons in local communities adopted by the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at its 51st Session on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

The report comes in the context of a sharp rise in hate-motivated harassment against LGBTI people in Europe over recent years, up from 37% of respondents in 2019 to 55% in 2024¹.

In response to growing restrictions, hostility and violence targeting LGBTI people, the report sets out concrete actions Europe’s cities and regions can take, including by:

• Authorising and protecting Pride marches and other peaceful LGBTI events to take place safely, without unnecessary restrictions, administrative delays or disproportionate requirements, and ensure adequate police protection where needed;
• Providing practical and financial support to LGBTI organisations and community spaces, helping them stay open, reach people and continue their work safely;
• Appointing a designated contact person within public authorities for LGBTI equality and maintain regular dialogue with local LGBTI organisations to address concerns before they escalate;
• Equipping teachers, public officials and law enforcement officers with the training they need to recognise discrimination, respond to hate incidents and treat LGBTI people with dignity and respect;
• Recording and monitoring hate speech, threats and violence against LGBTI people, and use this evidence to identify local problems, improve protection and shape effective policies.

“We know that many cities and regions have taken great strides in championing LGBTI rights and inclusion, but progress is not universal. We are also witnessing backsliding and a refusal by some to uphold the rights to which every person is entitled.  For those seeking guidance, this report can provide a clear path forward, and for those who are choosing to breach their responsibilities, it sets out clear standards against which those failures can be measured.  Human rights are for everyone”, said co-rapporteur Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC/G/PD).

The Congress calls on national governments to give local and regional authorities the powers, resources and legal space they need to act, and to ensure that national legislation does not force them to restrict freedom of expression or peaceful assembly.

¹EU LGBTIQ Survey III | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

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51st Session
Agenda – Web file – Photos