SOGI Newsroom
Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions identify strategies towards safer environment and spaces for the LGBTI community
LGBTI persons in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions face significant discrimination and abuse, including violence, due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. The latest Council of Europe Anti-Racism Commission (ECRI) General Policy Recommendation...
Advancing LGBTI Equality in Europe: Key Outcomes from ADI-SOGIESC’s Second Meeting
The Council of Europe’s Expert Committee on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (ADI-SOGIESC) held its second meeting in Strasbourg on 29–30 October 2024, bringing together member states representatives to advance equality initiatives for LGBTI persons...
New report highlights inadequate healthcare access for LGBTI people and recommends solutions
A new Council of Europe report “Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health and Access to Healthcare for LGBTI People in Europe“ published today reveals substantial disparities and systemic challenges. It proposes numerous recommendations to the Council of Europe member states to improve...
First meeting of the newly established Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics
On 14 May, the first plenary meeting of the newly established Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (ADI-SOGIESC) convened in The Hague. During the session, the committee elected Yuri de Boer (the Netherlands) as...
2024 European IDAHOT+ Forum: “The Future of Freedom and Equality in Europe”
The 2024 edition of the European IDAHOT+ Forum under the theme of “The Future of Freedom and Equality in Europe” will take place on 15 May 2024, in The Hague. This much-anticipated annual gathering, bringing together representatives of member States, international organisations and civil...
HELP international course launch and conference on LGBTI persons in the asylum procedure, 4 December 2023
The Council of Europe SOGI Unit and the HELP Secretariat, in partnership with the UNHCR and the EUAA, are organising the HELP international course launch and conference on LGBTI persons in the asylum procedure on 4 December 2023, from 9:00 to 18:00 CET. The event will be held in hybrid format and...
Taking the pulse: A Prescription for Equality and Enhanced Healthcare Access for LGBTI people in Europe
Taking a stride towards healthcare equality, the Council of Europe’s SOGI Unit organised a European Roundtable on Advancing Healthcare Access for LGBTI people, on 15 November 2023, which marked the cumulation of ongoing efforts and its commitment to address health inequalities faced by the LGBTI...
European Roundtable on Advancing Healthcare Access for LGBTI People in Europe, 15 November
This year's review examines the gaps between Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 and national legislation, policy, and implementation, as well as their practical impact on access to healthcare for LGBTI individuals. The aim is to collect promising practices and learn from successful initiatives that...
New report sheds light on the persistent challenges in combating SOGIESC-based hate crime in Europe
A new report by the Council of Europe’s Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDADI) focuses on hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) and presents 12 recommendations to Council of Europe member states...
ECRI publishes new General Policy Recommendation to combat intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons
As LGBTI people still experience high rates of discrimination and abuse, including violence, due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe today published a...
