The EU is a reliable partner for human rights and equality
Every country should take the necessary steps to ensure that people are free to live their lives as they choose, without fear or persecution. The EU urges all states to repeal laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations and to halt the adoption of new discriminatory legislation targeting LGBTIQ+ persons.
Since the launch of the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism (ProtectDefenders.eu) in 2015, at least 15,235 LGBTIQ+ rights defenders and 443 organisations have received direct, comprehensive support. In 2025 alone, ProtectDefenders.eu supported at least 1560 individual human rights defenders and 28 organisations working to advance the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons.
Partnerships with civil society, international organisations and local communities are key to promoting inclusive societies and protecting persons, especially in conflict situations and humanitarian settings, where LGBTIQ+ persons are often at increased risk of being subject to sexual and gender-based violence.
The EU is strongly committed to uphold the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTIQ+ persons globally, and will continue to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Everyone should be free to love who they want to love. Everybody should be free to be who they want to be…The European Union will always stand for fundamental freedoms and rights for everyone.
-EU High Representative Kaja Kallas
Meet Hossan Leong
Hossan Leong, 2026
Singaporean comedian, stage actor, and television host Hossan Leong believes visibility matters in the arts and in society. For Hossan, creativity fosters inclusion and diversity, playing a key role in overcoming obstacles which try to pull people and communities apart.
We don't work as islands, we work together as teams [and] as this world becomes more and more polarised, it is important to find the creativity in each of us to really bring this world together.
-Singaporean actor Hossan Leon
Watch an interview with Hossan Leong, in which he talks about how LGBTIQ+ individuals are not invisible in Singapore.
Europe as a reliable partner
Follow the link to learn more about Europe's Offer and discover stories reflecting the core principle of EU foreign policy: lasting stability is built through reliable partnerships.
