Make your voice heard.

Our leaderboard tracks European Parliamentary candidates committing to defending and advancing the human rights of LGBTI people.

71

candidates have signed our pledge

1 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 16 2 12 0 1 2 4 0 0 1 4 8 0 2 1 1 0 1 3

Pledge
signatures

Most
Least

Seats number

Top 5 signatory countries

Finland
Germany
Belgium
Netherlands
Sweden

Latest candidate signatures

Germany Marcel Japes 18.03
Austria Thomas Waitz 18.03
Finland Unna Eteläinen 18.03
Germany Lucas Fiola 18.03
Germany Dr. Anastasia Vishnevskaya-Mann 16.03

Top 5 signatory EU parties

#1 Greens/EFA 30
#2 Renew 14
#3 S&D 13
#4 GUE/NGL 11
#5 EPP 2
How can we work together for a better Europe? - 2:34

What it means to ‘Come Out 4 Europe’?

The European Union is a world leader in defending the rights of LGBTI people. At this time, when human rights and democracy are under challenge, the June 2024 EU elections are crucial. Learn more about our campaign, and why these elections are so important for LGBTI justice and equality.

read our story

About the pledge

The Come Out 4 Europe pledge holds our political representatives running for the European Parliament accountable to their promises for LGBTI justice. In light of recent polarisation and threats LGBTI peoples’ fundamental rights. Signing the pledge is more important than ever. In doing so, candidates commit to working together with us for LGBTI rights, equality and democracy across the EU and beyond. They pledge to ensure that the EU defends LGBTI people’s rights and equality in the EU as well as worldwide.

In all this, we ask candidates to engage closely with LGBTI civil society, who are the primary experts on the needs of their communities, and seek out their input and strategic guidance.

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#ComeOut4EU

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Magda Rakita Poland
Farah Abdi Germany
Kerstin Thost Germany
Simeon Vasilev Bulgaria
Tamás Dombos Hungary
Vlad Viski Romania

Your Vote Can Protect Human Rights

Since 1999, the EU has had the power to act in cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Since then, it has adopted legislation and measures to extend legal and social protection for LGBTI people in EU countries. Below are some important milestones in our ongoing fight for justice and equality.

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2000

The Employment Equality Directive prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the workplace.

2004

The EU Free Movement Directive gives the right to move freely within Member States, including registered partners of citizens.

Refugees and immigrants at the London Pride parade, 2019.

2011

The Asylum Qualification Directive grants asylum on the basis of ‘membership to a particular social group’, including sexual orientation.

2012

The Victims’ Rights Directive establishes minimum standards on the protection of victims regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

2013

The EU Council adopted guidelines to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTI persons abroad.

2020 LGBTIQ Strategy press release

2020

The EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 states that the EU must be at the forefront of efforts to better protect LGBTIQ people and commits to a number of initiatives, mainstreaming LGBTI rights to the work of the EC.

2021

EU launches legal procedures against Hungary over a law prohibiting access to content that shows diversity in sexual orientation and expression.

2021

The EU Commission introduced a procedure to block EU funds from going to ‘LGBT-free zones’ in Poland.

2021

The CJEU ruled that if one EU country recognises the child’s parental relationship, then all EU countries should do the same.

Milano Pride, Mick de Paola

2023

The EU Commission together with member states publishes a guidance note on the collection and use of data for LGBTIQ equality.