Uncovering Europe How a bill to fight homophobia has split Italy & sparked a culture war “If you criticise the Zan bill, you’ll be accused of being a homophobe – which just isn’t conducive to having a constructive debate.” 09/08/2021
The Cube Russian retail chain criticised for removing LGBT family from advert VkusVill has faced backlash for removing and apologising for a recent advert campaign that featured a lesbian family. 05/07/2021
Italy Italian PM rebukes Vatican over LGBT bill criticism The Holy See has objected to the formulation of an Italian bill that seeks to strengthen measures to prevent and combat discrimination and violence on the grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. 24/06/2021
Europe News Hungary's anti-LGBT law is a 'shame' says Ursula von der Leyen The European Commission President has asked her team to send a formal letter to the Hungarian government in order to ensure EU law is respected. 23/06/2021
Europe News Fourteen EU countries denounce Hungary's new anti-LGBT law Ministers from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg gathered 13 like-minded countries in a critical statement that condemns Hungary for "stigmatising LGBTIQ persons". 22/06/2021
Poland Warsaw pride parade returns amid backlash against LGBT rights This year's Equality Parade takes place amid growing concerns over the rise of anti-LGBT legislation and rhetoric in Poland and Hungary. 19/06/2021
Hungary Hungary votes on anti-LGBT bills amid protests Thousands of protesters urged the Hungarian Parliament to vote against bills banning any content portraying or promoting homosexuality to young people. 15/06/2021
Lithuania Watch: Painting over of LGBT crossing in Vilnius prompts police probe The incident took place on May 31. In a video posted on Facebook, four people can be seen spray painting over the rainbow-coloured crossing and disrupting traffic. 02/06/2021
France French rugby federation allows transgender people to compete The move goes against World Rugby which recommended last year that transgender women should not play in women’s elite or international teams for safety reasons. 18/05/2021
Poland Diplomats from 40 countries call on Poland to protect LGBTQ rights The Polish government has come under international criticism in recent years for promoting "LGBT free zones" and fueling homophobic rhetoric. 17/05/2021
world news MEPs to debate making the EU an LGBT 'freedom zone' The European Parliament is scheduled to debate a motion that would declare the entire 27-member EU to be a "freedom zone" for LGBT people. 10/03/2021
Poland EU must take 'urgent steps over Poland's human rights violations' CIVICUS, which track civic freedoms, put Poland on its human rights watchlist over the government's alleged attacks on judicial independence, women's rights, media independence and LGBTIQ+ people. 18/02/2021
The Cube #MeTooInceste: French share stories of family sexual abuse Following in the footsteps of #MeTooInceste, #MeTooGay began to trend around the country this week as users shared stories of homosexual abuse. 22/01/2021
Poland Three on trial in Poland over LGBT sign on posters of revered icon The activists could face up to two years in prison if convicted on charges of offending religious sentiment and desecration of Poland's most revered icon, the Mother of God of Czestochowa. 14/01/2021
View Hungary needs the power of love, not Viktor Orbán’s love for power ǀ View Rather than concentrating on tackling the rising surge of coronavirus cases, Hungary's government is preoccupied with stripping away the rights of its citizens, starting with the LGBTI community. 03/12/2020
Europe News MEPs accuse Budapest of hypocrisy over Brussels sex party scandal It comes after Fidesz MEP József Szájer was reportedly caught at a lockdown sex party in Brussels. 02/12/2020
Poland Poland's culture war: LGBT people forced to turn to civil disobedience In a political climate where anti-LGBT rhetoric is becoming ever more shrill, LGBT people and rights activists are turning to civil disobedience as their last resort to have their voice heard. 06/10/2020
Poland Ambassadors to Poland write open letter appealing for LGBT acceptance The Polish government responded to the letter saying that while they respected the human rights of LGBT people, marriage was between a man and a woman. 28/09/2020
Poland Nobel laureate refuses local honour over Poland's LGBT 'rift' Nobel Prize-winning writer Olga Tokarczuk said that receiving it at the same time as Bishop Ignacy Dec, who has made hostile comments about the LGBT community, would highlight the "painful rift" in Poland over LGBT rights. 25/09/2020
Poland Poland to give money to "LGBT free" towns denied EU funding The government is to give €57,000 to Tuchow — three times that amount the so-called 'LGBT free' municipality had applied for under an EU scheme. 19/08/2020
Poland Dozens of celebrities voice support for Polish LGBT+ rights An open letter signed by 75 celebrities and addressed to the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demands the bloc takes "immediate steps" to protect "core European values". 18/08/2020
Poland Protesters in Poland try to block the arrest of LGBT activist Several cities in Poland have recently declared themselves "LGBT-free" despite backlash from the European Union. 07/08/2020
France Thousands march in Paris to celebrate gay pride and protest violence Thousands marched in Paris to for pride. They also protested police violence and demanded more political actions to support marginalised communities. 04/07/2020
Romania 'Back to the Middle Ages': Outrage in Romania over gender studies ban The legislation now needs to be approved by President Klaus Iohannis. 17/06/2020
France Homophobia has deep roots in French society, admits government The admission came as it was revealed anti-LGBT acts in France had risen by 36% last year. 18/05/2020
The Cube Belgrade Pride: We're 'not giving up' on LGBT rights Marching under the slogan 'I’m not giving up’ on LGBT rights, Sunday evening saw thousands take part in Belgrade’s eighth Pride Parade. 16/09/2019
