The 2026 European IDAHOT+ Forum has taken place in Copenhagen under the theme “Pushing for progress: addressing challenges and shaping the future of LGBTI equality in Europe”. It has focused on how equality, dignity and inclusion can strengthen democratic resilience while addressing the growing impact of anti-rights mobilisation, disinformation and restrictions on civic space across Europe.

Opened by Acting Minister for the Environment and Minister for Gender Equality of Denmark Magnus Heunicke and Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge, the event brought together ministers, representatives of European countries, international organisations, experts and civil society to assess progress and confront an increasingly complex landscape.

Taking up the struggle since 1948

In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge reminded participants that in 1948 – even before the foundation of the Council of Europe – the organisation LGBT Danmark was founded.

“One might think that 78 years later, we would have reached a place of equality and that everyone might have the freedom to live their lives, but, across Europe, LGBTI people face violence, discrimination and hate. When individuals are silenced, excluded or made unsafe, not only do they suffer, but our whole democracy is weakened,” he said.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony, who emphasised that “It is futile to fight in isolation. The fight for LGBTI rights is the same struggle as the one against racism, islamophobia. It is a struggle for human dignity”.

In his testimony, Ünikür Association representative Enes Hocaoğulları underlined: “What happens in one part of Europe, affects all of Europe. Europe has an active responsibility to protect human rights defenders. Human rights cannot be protected without protecting human-rights defenders first”.

Even Nordic states have to work for equality

The agenda also included a panel with Nordic equality ministers showcasing how Nordic countries have been pushing for progress, but even these countries are not spared from the backlash. Concrete examples were given on challenges weakening fundamental rights, which weaken society as a whole.

The Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Karen Ellemann stressed that progress has never come without resistance: “Dignity cannot be conditional” and that the answer to backlash is not retreat, “it is pushing for progress”.

As in previous editions the forum has featured key contributions from European civil-society organisations including ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map, which offers a comparative snapshot of LGBTI rights across the region. These insights highlight emerging trends, persistent implementation gaps and pathways for sustained progress, providing a robust evidence base for policy action.

Hosted by Denmark in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers and co-organised with the Council of Europe, the forum marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexphobia (IDAHOT), which is observed annually on 17 May.

 Speech of the Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge in full