As highlighted in our Annual Review, the criminalisation of LGBTI organisations and activists is spreading across the region. These developments reflect a worrying pattern of increasing pressure on LGBTI organising and civil society.
ILGA-Europe stands in solidarity with Coming Out, the Russian LGBT Network, and all activists continuing to support LGBTI communities under increasingly dangerous conditions. International attention and support will be crucial to ensure that those defending LGBTI rights are not left isolated.
A parallel case against the Russian LGBT Network has been postponed to 14 April. We understand that more organisations may now be facing similar legal actions, raising serious concerns about a widening campaign against groups supporting LGBTI communities in Russia.
And the way these lawsuits are being handled effectively deprives LGBTI initiatives of the possibility to defend themselves, as Max notes.
Russian LGBTI rights lawyer Max Olenichev: βIn 2023, the Russian Supreme Court declared a non-existent βInternational LGBT Movementβ extremist and banned its activities in Russia. Now, however, the Russian authorities are criminalising the activities of real, existing LGBTI initiativesβ.
This is not a symbolic move. It is a direct criminalisation of an organisation supporting LGBTI communities, placing activists, staff, and anyone connected to them at serious risk of prosecution.
A Russian court declared Coming Out LGBT group an βextremist organisation.β This is the first time an actual LGBTI organisation in Russia has been labelled an extremist organisation.
Pride has become one of the clearest places to observe civic space across Europe.
Our Annual Review traces what these developments reveal about freedom of assembly & the resilience of communities who keep showing up.
Read more at ilga-europe.org/files/uploads/2026/02/Annual-Review-2026-Pride.pdf
Across Europe, people continue to organise, speak out and gather in defence of equality and freedom. Protecting the right to peaceful assembly is essential for a healthy #democracy.
We now hope the Constitutional Court will carefully examine the law in light of Hungaryβs constitutional obligations, international human rights commitments and #EU law.
For nearly a year, Hungarian civil society organisations have been warning that the #Pride ban represents a direct attack on freedom of assembly and expression. These concerns have been raised repeatedly as the legislation moved forward.
The Constitutional Court now has 90 days to rule on the issue.
We welcome the news that the criminal case against the Mayor of #Budapest related to the Pride march has been suspended. The court asked the Constitutional Court to examine whether the legal provisions used in the case comply with constitutional principles & the European Convention on Human Rights.
ILGA-Europe launches a new call for proposals for LGBTI organisations in Ukraine, offering a structured partnership and funding for the next two years. Read more and apply by 12 April at ilga-europe.org/news/call-for-proposals-for-lgbti-organisations-in-ukraine/
You can shape fairer funding!
Take 30-60 minutes to respond to the Pathways survey to help build data that strengthens organisations and the wider movement π https://lgbtipathways.org/welcome-to-the-lgbti-pathways-survey/
Pride has become one of the clearest places to observe civic space across Europe.
Our Annual Review traces what these developments reveal about freedom of assembly & the resilience of communities who keep showing up.
Read more at ilga-europe.org/files/uploads/2026/02/Annual-Review-2026-Pride.pdf
Do you have questions about Pathways, a major new survey to help shape the future of funding of LGBTI organisations? You are invited to join our online info session on 10 March! Register now to get answers π ilga-europe-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/s4l-tIpMQ7uQ4RMWZYQB4Q#/registration
On #InternationalSexWorkerRightsDay, we spotlight The Black Sex Worker Collectiveβs study, showing how intersecting forms of discrimination push Black LGBTI sex workers into homelessness & long-term instability π ilga-europe.org/report/the-power-of-data-addressing-lgbti-homelessness-in-europe/
Two Russian civil society groups, Russian LGBT Network and Coming Out, face court cases that could brand them βextremist,β exposing them and anyone linked to them to harsh criminal charges. Targeting them endangers vital services, civic space, and democracy.
Negative comments are part of being visible. Burnout doesnβt have to be.
Our new resource, βHow to Handle Negative Comments: A Guide for LGBTI Activistsβ, shares practical, values-based strategies for responding with clarity, not reactivity.
Now live on The Hub π
Itβs live! Our #AnnualReview2026 is out now.
This yearβs findings are stark. What started as attacks on LGBTI communities has evolved into something much broader.
The full picture is now public. Read, share, and use it π ilga-europe.org/report/annual-review-2026/
Are unfunded LGBTI organisations being truly seen?
Take the Pathways survey to be seen and recognised.
Your input will make the work outside of funding systems visible π lgbtipathways.org/welcome-to-the-lgbti-pathways-survey/
4 years since Russia launched its war of aggression against #Ukraine.
Ukrainian LGBTI groups continue to show extraordinary resilience, defending rights, supporting their communities & building an inclusive future.
We stand in solidarity, in our work and in spirit, for as long as it takes.
Itβs live! Our #AnnualReview2026 is out now.
This yearβs findings are stark. What started as attacks on LGBTI communities has evolved into something much broader.
The full picture is now public. Read, share, and use it π ilga-europe.org/report/annual-review-2026/
Tomorrow, ILGA-Europe releases its Annual Review of LGBTI human rights across Europe and Central Asia.
Whatβs happening is not isolated. Itβs a pattern. And it doesnβt stop with LGBTI people.
When laws are used to silence one group, itβs a warning to everyone.
See the full picture tomorrow.
New funding opportunity for racialised LGBTI communities! The ILGA-Europe Fund for #RacialJustice will support racialised LGBTI communities in building collective power and civic and political presence in Europe π ilga-europe.org/news/the-ilga-europe-fund-for-racial-justice/
We congratulate Enes and his legal team on this important outcome, and we applaud him, and all activists in Turkey, who continue to stand up for human rights and democracy.
Following his speech, he faced orchestrated defamation, death threats, and judicial harassment fuelled by a toxic mix of nationalism and anti-LGBTI+ rhetoric.
Enes had been accused with βpublicly disseminating misleading informationβ after he spoke peacefully and truthfully at the Council of Europe Congress in March 2025 about police violence and democratic backsliding in Turkey.
We are delighted to share that justice has prevailed and Enes HocaoΔullarΔ±, an LGBTI+ rights defender and youth delegate to the Council of Europe, has been acquitted of all charges by a court in Turkey.
