Family and integration minister Corrine Cahen MFAMIGR

Family and integration minister Corrine Cahen MFAMIGR

IDAHOT+, or international day of homophobia, transphobia and biophobia, is celebrated annually each May, and the forum has taken place since 2013, providing a setting in which government and civil society reps discuss issues impacting the European LGBTI community. 

As part of this year's forum, the 10th edition of the Rainbow Map was released by ILGA Europe, in which Luxembourg placed third for best LGBTI rights in Europe.  

The declaration calls on European ministers to renew their commitment by adopting the measures necessary to promote equality when it comes to gender and sexual orientation, as well as making resources available to work on those issues. It also asks that ministers commit to ensuring there is a mandate to mainstream such issues, particularly at the international level when it comes to initiatives surrounding policy, research or law. 

The text, while citing a number of positive advancements for the LGBTI community--including the role of the Council of Europe, the EU, the UN and the World Bank, not to mention a number of key civil society stakeholders, in safeguarding and improving LGBTI rights--acknowledges there is still more to be done.

It adds: “Taking into account all positive developments, including the efforts of the European states and institutions, we must also acknowledge that LGBTI persons still face levels of discrimination and violence and that LGBTI persons with multiple minority backgrounds are the most vulnerable among the LGBTI population.”