The Member States, intergovernmental organisations and the more than 100 civil society organisations that comprise the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) express their support for, and celebrate, the 2026 theme of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), which asserts that the fight for equal rights for LGBTI+ people is at the heart of democracy.
IDAHOBIT is a citizen-led initiative that has combated hatred towards LGBTIQ+ people for over twenty years by commemorating the depathologisation of homosexuality in 1990 by the World Health Organisation, and subsequently that of transsexuality in 2018.
On 17 May, we are reminded of the importance of tackling hatred, violence and discrimination faced by LGBTIQ+ people in different ways due to their race, poverty, disability, immigration status, age and other intersectional vulnerabilities, whether through physical attacks, hate speech or exclusionary practices within society and institutions. This year, the emphasis is on the fact that equality for LGBTIQ+ people is fundamental to inclusive and democratic societies, as there can be no talk of full democracy if LGBTIQ+ people are persecuted, whether by law or in social practice.
For this reason, the ERC expresses its concern at the rise in hate speech and hate crimes, as well as the proliferation of legislation that persecutes, stigmatises or criminalises LGBTIQ+ people, particularly trans people. This social and institutional regression, driven by movements that oppose the protection of human rights, not only threatens the dignity of LGBTIQ+ people but also fosters fear, deepens polarisation and undermines the rule of law, ultimately affecting equality and the well-being of society as a whole at an international level.
We also recall that the struggle for LGBTIQ+ equal rights is fundamental to ensuring full democracy.
We urge the international community to guarantee equality before the law and a life of dignity for LGBTIQ+ people, by rejecting and combating hate speech, ensuring legal avenues to prevent and punish discrimination and violence, repealing all legislation that criminalises sexual orientation or gender identity, and recognising the important work of LGBTIQ+ organisations.
We reaffirm our commitment to and support for equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people and for the consolidation of recognition of the diversity of gender expressions, sexual orientations, gender identities and diverse sexual characteristics.
Today, more than ever, it is essential to move decisively towards the clear objective: to guarantee real and effective equality for LGBTIQ+ people. No democracy can thrive whilst part of its population lives in fear, exclusion and violence.
ERC Member States that are cosignatories: Albania, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay.