MEPs must join fight against anti-rights movement

Following the recent European Parliament elections, Forbidden Colours has sent a letter to all newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are committed to democratic principles. This outreach aims to encourage collaboration in the upcoming parliamentary term to protect and advance the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Europe. Forbidden Colours, through the United4Diversity Network (U4D), hopes to continue its productive work with MEPs who share our mission of defending democracy and human rights.

The U4D Network is a broad coalition that unites civil society, policymakers, academics, and businesses to address growing threats from anti-gender and anti-LGBTIQ+ movements across Europe. As the secretariat of U4D, Forbidden Colours works with partners such as Justice for Prosperity and RECLAIM to counter these movements and support democracy.

However, new challenges are ahead. Research by Forbidden Colours indicates that between 35-40% of the current European Parliament may lean toward anti-LGBTIQ+ stances, a significant increase from the previous term’s 25%. This stark statistic underlines the importance of building strong alliances with MEPs who are committed to equality and justice for LGBTIQ+ individuals.

Forbidden Colours has requested meetings with interested MEPs to discuss opportunities for collaboration during this critical time. With attacks on LGBTIQ+ communities continuing to rise, we believe that this issue is at the heart of the broader struggle to protect democracy in Europe.

Together with our partners in the U4D Network, Forbidden Colours remains steadfast in our efforts to counter anti-rights movements and promote equality for all, but now more than ever, we seek the support of Europe’s elected representatives.