A Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030

- supports all efforts to prevent and prohibit the use of conversion practices and forced medical interventions for intersex and trans people, including unnecessary surgical intervention, intersex genital mutilation and forced sterilisation, and calls on local and regional authorities to dedicate funding to eliminating such conversion practices and to protect the sexual and reproductive rights of this group;

- points out that new data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) shows ongoing and increasing violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people; stresses that there is still a limited amount of representative and comparable information on the scale of unreported exposure to these phenomena and urges the Commission to strengthen data gathering and research in close cooperation with local and regional authorities and civil society, universities and academic institutions. Once sufficient evidence is available, the findings must be swiftly translated into concrete policies;

- points out that promoting equality and diversity unequivocally strengthens the prosperity and economic development of cities and regions. Inclusive cities and regions see increased levels of entrepreneurship, growth, research and innovation, a higher concentration of skills and talent, and greater resilience and solidarity, while exclusionary behaviours risk leading to economic losses, weakening public trust and eroding support for democratic values;

- calls on the Member States to ensure the provision of clear and accessible information on the recognition of cross-border rights for LGBTIQ+ people and their families in the EU, and to make sure that civil servants at all levels of government receive the necessary information and training; points out that differences in family law between Member States hinder the recognition of family ties across EU borders, restricting the free movement and legal certainty of LGBTIQ+ families.