SOGIESC Newsroom
The LGBTIQ Anti-rumours Toolkit launched today!
The new LGBTIQ Anti-rumours Toolkit was presented today, to municipalities from Europe and beyond, at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Rainbow Cities Network. Developed by the Council of Europe’s SOGIESC Unit in collaboration with Diversit, it provides practical guidance for local public...
Strategies for defending equality and democratic space discussed at the ERA regional conference
From 1 to 3 October 2026, the Regional Conference, “Protecting Democratic Space and Addressing Threats to LGBTI Equality in Europe” took place in Podgorica, having brought together over eighty human rights defenders, civil society organisations, and institutional representatives from the Western...
From Standards to Action: the Role of European Cities in Advancing LGBTIQ Equality
Today, the SOGIESC Unit of the Council of Europe, in partnership with the European Pride Business Network (EPBN), is organising an online workshop, “From European Anti-Discrimination and Workplace Inclusion Standards to Local Action: the Role of European Cities in Advancing LGBTIQ Equality”,...
The Strategy for 2027–2032 provides a structured framework for implementing existing human rights commitments to advance equality and prevent discrimination and violence
Council of Europe adopts its first Strategy for equal rights for LGBTI people
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted the Organisation’s first Strategy for Equal Rights for LGBTI People. Covering the period 2027–2032, it sets a common direction for ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people can fully and equally enjoy...
New report finds how hate speech targeting LGBTI people causes serious harm, restricts participation in public life and can contribute to democratic erosion. It calls on member states to close persistent gaps between legal commitments and effective protection
Council of Europe calls for stronger action against anti-LGBTI hate speech
The Council of Europe has issued a new report examining how member states prevent and combat hate speech based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). It identifies promising practices and remaining gaps, and makes 19 recommendations covering...
Strengthening the Implementation of the Court’s Judgments on SOGIESC: Thematic Civil Society Briefing
On 4 September 2026, the Council of Europe’s Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit, in partnership with the European Implementation Network (EIN), organised a thematic briefing dedicated to the implementation of key European Court of Human...
Strengthening democracies through inclusive workplaces: the SOGIESC Unit speaks today at the Workplace pride 2026 in Amsterdam
How can organisations continue to lead with inclusion in a complex regional landscape? Today’s Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Townhall at Workplace Pride in Amsterdam seeks to reply exactly to this question. Yanna Parnin, Head of the SOGIESC Unit at the Council of Europe, together...
New communication toolkit launched at World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam
At World Pride, on 6 August 2026, the SOGIESC Unit of the Council of Europe, together with the European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups, presents their new communication toolkit, “Countering Hate Speech and Strengthening Words of Inclusion: The Use of Language by Religious Actors and Communities...
World Pride 2026: Discussing Political Leadership at the Global Level
The Council of Europe Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit is speaking today at the World Pride 2026 Human Rights Conference, taking place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 5 to 7 August 2026. This global event gathers international...
International Youth Conference in Dublin: Highlighting youth as a central pillar of our democratic future
The Council of Europe Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit is speaking today at the International Youth Conference on Counteracting the Anti-Gender Movement, taking place in Dublin, Ireland, from 21 to 23 July 2026, co-organised by IGLYO and...
