Far-right politicians across Europe are increasingly exploiting LGBTQ+ rights as a means to create discord within communities, resulting in a worrying surge in hate crimes, as highlighted by activists. With Pride month around the corner, this disturbing trend serves as a stark reminder of how quickly hard-won societal progress can be jeopardised. Katrin Hugendubel from ILGA-Europe, the alliance of over 700 LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, warned that after years of advancement, a dire reversal is taking place. This regression isn't merely about stalling legal protections; it represents an active effort to revoke established rights. “These laws are not designed to protect fundamental rights or respond to genuine societal needs, but to systematically marginalise the LGBTQ+ community,” she asserted.
This alarming shift is reflected in legislative actions across several European nations. In Hungary and Slovakia, populist governments are advancing constitutional amendments aimed at entrenching binary gender definitions, an agenda echoed by Austria’s far-right party after its recent electoral victory. Additionally, countries like Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania are moving to enact laws that ban LGBTQ+ themes from educational settings, thus hindering crucial discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
A recent report from the Council of Europe signalled a troubling increase in transphobic hate speech across the continent. The alarming rise of “protecting children against gender ideology” as a rallying cry mirrors a larger strategy designed to incite fear and resentment towards the LGBTQ+ community. Hungary, notably, was the first EU nation to enact a ban on events linked to LGBTQ+ individuals, a devastating blow as Budapest Pride commemorates its 30th anniversary this year. This climate of hostility has been exacerbated by politicians leveraging various platforms—parliamentary speeches, political rallies, and media interviews—to directly attack LGBTQ+ identities, fostering an environment where discrimination is increasingly deemed acceptable.
The consequences are severe. A 2024 survey of over 100,000 LGBTQ+ individuals across 30 European nations revealed staggering incidents of violence and harassment: 14% reported being physically or sexually attacked in the last five years. Sirpa Rautio, director of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency, underscored the urgent necessity for society to tackle bullying, harassment, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, proclaiming, “Being openly LGBTIQ in Europe should not be a struggle.”
The most extreme regression of rights has primarily unfolded in central and eastern Europe, though the increase in violence is also affecting Western countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, and Spain. The rise in discrimination is further compounded by harrowing suicide rates within the transgender community. “The ongoing war waged against trans people significantly impacts vulnerable youth… This incessant hostility can have tragic consequences on mental health,” Hugendubel remarked, highlighting the extensive damage caused by pervasive intolerance.
The political misuse of the LGBTQ+ community functions as a “canary in the mine,” indicating a broader authoritarian drift. The tactics employed by far-right governments extend beyond LGBTQ+ issues to infringe on the rights of academics and journalists alike. Hugendubel noted that societal indifference towards LGBTQ+ rights has made it an easy target for division, stating, “It served as a straightforward means to instill fear and create discord.” By capitalising on societal ignorance, these leaders enhance existing resentments to fortify their political leverage, crafting an “us-versus-them” narrative that energises their base.
As campaigns to counter legislative assaults gain momentum, particularly regarding Hungary’s Pride ban, a burgeoning coalition of EU member states is demanding urgent action from European institutions. Seventeen EU nations have called for immediate revisions to Hungary's laws, citing their violations of the EU's core principles of human dignity and equality. Yet, the European Commission's tepid response has left activists and community leaders exasperated.
As Pride events draw near across Europe, the spectre of discrimination remains a significant backdrop. Although Pride celebrations are increasingly seen as expressions of diversity, their origins in protest against marginalisation retain profound importance. As Hugendubel pointed out, “Curtailing Pride is not merely a limitation on LGBTI visibility; it encroaches on the fundamental right to assembly that every citizen holds.” With rising violence, escalating hate speech, and persistent attempts to erode the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, this season’s Pride celebrations serve not only as a reflection on past struggles but as a resounding call to action against the injustices that continue to plague society.
Source: Noah Wire Services