The European Union, like most democratic countries around the world, marks 17th May as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). Protecting the rights of members of the LGBTIQ+ community is one of the EU’s key priorities.
Since the end of the 90s of the last century, the EU has been advocating for the equality of lesbians, gay men, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer individuals, and other sexual minorities, in line with its strong commitment to promoting and protecting fundamental human rights for all. Yet, these groups still face discrimination across the world, including in the Western Balkans. The EU works to raise public awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights, while also taking practical steps to improve protection and social inclusion for these communities, both in member states and in candidate countries. One such practical example is a safe house for LGBTIQ+ victims of discrimination which located in Sarajevo, at a confidential address and operated by the Wings of Hope Foundation.
“The house opened in 2024, and in April we celebrated its one-year anniversary. We were able to create this safe space thanks to the understanding and support of the EU and the Council of Europe. Many LGBTIQ+ people experience various forms of abuse, including physical violence, even in their own homes after coming out. For some persons their families may withdraw financial or emotional support, making continued schooling impossible, or schools themselves may refuse reasonable accommodation. For them this shelter is crucial to have a space where they can find protection”, says Nejla Zejnilagić, a coordinator at Wings of Hope.
This safe house operates on the same principles as shelters for women survivors of domestic violence.
“We are offering a roof over their heads, food, hygiene products, and psychological support, which we provide in cooperation with the Sarajevo Open Centre. Adults over the age of 18 can stay for up to six months or less if they become self-sufficient sooner”, says Zejnilagić. She adds that the safe house can host up to six residents and currently serves only people from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the time of the interview with WeBalkans four people were staying at the house, all saying that “this free and safe space has changed their lives”.
Coordinator Zejnilagić also mentions a visit from a like-minded organisation in Serbia, which expressed interest in implementing a similar project. In addition to the safe house, the EU is supporting several training courses and educational initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at recognising and combating hate speech, including those targeted at civil servants. Similar activities are taking place in North Macedonia and Albania.
In North Macedonia, the first national helpline for members of the LGBTIQ+ community was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a project promoting diversity and equality. However, the helpline has since been shut down. Currently, members of the LGBTIQ+ community in the country can access counselling services provided by the organisation EGAL, and a new SOS line is expected to be launched soon.
“Thanks to EU support, we will be launching a green line with the number 0800-66666, which will operate 24/7 in Macedonian. We will also provide psychological support and one-on-one sessions for LGBTIQ+ victims of violence. Additionally, we are seeking funding to reopen the LGBTIQ+ safe house we were forced to close a few months ago”, said Ivana Kostovska, director of the now-closed safe house in Skopje.
In Albania 2024 saw the first symbolic same-sex wedding, made possible through the efforts and support of the EU. However, same-sex marriage is still not legally recognised in the country. Through the “Proud of Rights” project in Albania, the EU has focused on promoting equality, social inclusion, and non-discrimination of women and LGBTIQ+ individuals. This project includes youth training, awareness-raising campaigns, and capacity building for civil-society organisations in cities such as Tirana, Shkodër, and Lezhë. Albania also has a national action plan for the LGBTIQ+ community for the period 2021–2027, supported by the EU’s efforts at the UN, especially through UNDP.
The EU also strongly supports the LGBTIQ+ community in Serbia and Montenegro. In Montenegro, the project “Combating Hate and Intolerance” backed the development of the National LGBTI Strategy for the 2024–2029 period, as well as an evaluation of the previous strategy (2019–2023). In Serbia, awareness-raising efforts are ongoing. In both countries, EU delegations actively support Pride events. Every year, to mark Pride, the EU Delegation to Serbia is lit up in the colours of the LGBTIQ+ flag.
In Kosovo the EU supports various activities commemorating IDAHOT including poetry nights and the promotion of the first LGBTIQ+ radio show “Lequ Zemër”. The EU also supports the Centre for Equality and Liberty (CEL) which works to strengthen the LGBT community by preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, raising public awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights and advocating for equal rights in accordance with the country’s constitution and laws. Over the years, this Centre has organised advocacy campaigns, promoted social change, and provided psychosocial support, free legal assistance, housing, and other resources. In 2024 alone, the EU supported a range of CEL initiatives aimed at empowering the LGBTIQ+ community, such as professional make-up training, media monitoring of hate speech, student advocacy scholarships, and legal aid workshops. The EU also gave strong backing to Pride Week in Pristina, which concluded with a Pride Parade.
On 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of diseases, and this date was subsequently designated as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). The EU and its member states are committed to key legal instruments including the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997), “the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000), and various anti-discrimination directives. The results of a 2024 survey conducted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) revealed that 37% of LGBTIQ+ individuals had encountered some form of “conversion therapy” — a practice aimed at “curing” sexual orientation and/or gender identity which has far-reaching negative consequences.
Coordinator Zejnilagić also mentions a visit from a like-minded organisation in Serbia, which expressed interest in implementing a similar project. In addition to the safe house, the EU is supporting several training courses and educational initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at recognising and combating hate speech, including those targeted at civil servants. Similar activities are taking place in North Macedonia and Albania.
In North Macedonia, the first national helpline for members of the LGBTIQ+ community was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a project promoting diversity and equality. However, the helpline has since been shut down. Currently, members of the LGBTIQ+ community in the country can access counselling services provided by the organisation EGAL, and a new SOS line is expected to be launched soon.
“Thanks to EU support, we will be launching a green line with the number 0800-66666, which will operate 24/7 in Macedonian. We will also provide psychological support and one-on-one sessions for LGBTIQ+ victims of violence. Additionally, we are seeking funding to reopen the LGBTIQ+ safe house we were forced to close a few months ago”, said Ivana Kostovska, director of the now-closed safe house in Skopje.
In Albania 2024 saw the first symbolic same-sex wedding, made possible through the efforts and support of the EU. However, same-sex marriage is still not legally recognised in the country. Through the “Proud of Rights” project in Albania, the EU has focused on promoting equality, social inclusion, and non-discrimination of women and LGBTIQ+ individuals. This project includes youth training, awareness-raising campaigns, and capacity building for civil-society organisations in cities such as Tirana, Shkodër, and Lezhë. Albania also has a national action plan for the LGBTIQ+ community for the period 2021–2027, supported by the EU’s efforts at the UN, especially through UNDP.
The EU also strongly supports the LGBTIQ+ community in Serbia and Montenegro. In Montenegro, the project “Combating Hate and Intolerance” backed the development of the National LGBTI Strategy for the 2024–2029 period, as well as an evaluation of the previous strategy (2019–2023). In Serbia, awareness-raising efforts are ongoing. In both countries, EU delegations actively support Pride events. Every year, to mark Pride, the EU Delegation to Serbia is lit up in the colours of the LGBTIQ+ flag.
In Kosovo the EU supports various activities commemorating IDAHOT including poetry nights and the promotion of the first LGBTIQ+ radio show “Lequ Zemër”. The EU also supports the Centre for Equality and Liberty (CEL) which works to strengthen the LGBT community by preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, raising public awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights and advocating for equal rights in accordance with the country’s constitution and laws. Over the years, this Centre has organised advocacy campaigns, promoted social change, and provided psychosocial support, free legal assistance, housing, and other resources. In 2024 alone, the EU supported a range of CEL initiatives aimed at empowering the LGBTIQ+ community, such as professional make-up training, media monitoring of hate speech, student advocacy scholarships, and legal aid workshops. The EU also gave strong backing to Pride Week in Pristina, which concluded with a Pride Parade.
On 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of diseases, and this date was subsequently designated as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). The EU and its member states are committed to key legal instruments including the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997), “the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000), and various anti-discrimination directives. The results of a 2024 survey conducted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) revealed that 37% of LGBTIQ+ individuals had encountered some form of “conversion therapy” — a practice aimed at “curing” sexual orientation and/or gender identity which has far-reaching negative consequences.
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