FEANTSA STATEMENT
International LGBTIQ+ Pride Day
Download the statement here
On 28 June 1969, a police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York. This sparked a series of protests known as the ‘Stonewall riots’, which marked a major breakthrough in advancing LGBTIQ+ rights in the US and beyond. After 56 years, the need to uphold LGBTIQ+ rights is just as urgent as it was in 1969. In Europe, hate speech and hate crime are rising, and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people is still present in the lives of too many.
Structural discrimination is an undeniable factor explaining the high rates of homelessness among LGBTIQ+ people in Europe. According to data from the Fundamental Rights Agency, almost one in every five LGBTIQ+ people (18.7%) have experienced homelessness at least once in their lives, compared to 4% of the overall European population. When looking at intersex people, trans women, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, about one third have experienced homelessness.[1] This over-representation in the most acute form of social exclusion reminds us that equality is still far off, and that we should step up our efforts to ensure everyone enjoys the human right to housing, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
A recent trend of anti-LGBTIQ+ policies is gaining traction across the continent. Even fundamental rights taken for granted in Europe, i.e., the freedom of expression or the freedom of assembly, are now threatened. In March, the Hungarian government passed a law effectively banning Pride marches and, very worryingly, allowing the use of facial image analysis in order to fine participants in these events.[2]
We stand in solidarity with the organisers of the Budapest Pride, as well as with other organisations and individuals who are threatened for upholding human rights, the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. Public demonstrations and awareness-raising activities addressed at societal level have been instrumental in advancing LGBTIQ+ rights, and should continue to be. Fighting against discrimination will contribute to better opportunities for LGBTIQ+ people, to reduce social exclusion and stigma and, ultimately, to prevent situations of homelessness among this group.
On this day, let’s celebrate LGBTIQ+ identities and continue the fight for human rights.
[1] European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, LGBTQI equality at a crossroads – Progress and challenges – EU LGBTQI survey III, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2811/920578
[2] European Parliamentary Research Service, Hungary's ban on Pride, 2025, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2025/769565/EPRS_ATA(2025)769565_EN.pdf
