EESC firmly rejects conversion practices, seen as hate crimes, and fully backs EU LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) placed fundamental rights, dignity and equality at the centre of its April plenary session, holding a high‑level debate on Union of Equality: Advancing LGBTIQ+ rights and banning conversion practices. The debate was followed by the adoption of two key EESC opinions calling for stronger enforcement of the EU’s LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030 and a comprehensive EU‑wide ban on conversion practices.

Despite progress in recent years, speakers pointed out that discrimination, violence and harassment continue to affect many LGBTIQ+ persons across the European Union, with particularly severe impacts on trans, non‑binary and intersex people. Conversion practices (aimed at changing, suppressing or erasing a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression) still exist in parts of Europe, despite being widely condemned as harmful, akin to hate crimes and incompatible with fundamental rights.

Setting a clear tone for the debate, EESC President Séamus Boland rejected any justification for so‑called conversion practices, saying:

‘These so-called conversion practices or therapies are not only harmful, they are a profound violation of human dignity and fundamental rights. Let us be absolutely clear: there is nothing to fix or cure. What needs to change is not people, but the systems, attitudes and structures that deny them their dignity.’

Views from EU institutions, civil society and international organisations

Representing the European Citizens’ Initiative Ban conversion practices in the European Union, Caleb Stocco, from the European Association Against Conversion Therapy (ACT), highlighted the severe and lasting harm caused by conversion practices and the need for a decisive EU‑wide response, stating: ‘Today, I urge you to vote for humanity, I urge you to vote for common sense’. The EESC has championed this ECI and actively supported its consideration by the European Commission.

From the European Commission, Francesco  Zoia  Bolzonello, a member of Commissioner Hadja  Lahbib’s cabinet, presented the Commission’s perspective on advancing equality and combating discrimination through EU‑level action, notably through the implementation of the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy  2026–2030. He explained that the strategy was about ‘freedom’, stressing that ‘it is important for the EU to lead by example’ in the face of the current anti‑LGBTIQ+ backlash.

International and inter‑parliamentary dimensions were addressed by Béatrice  Fresko‑Rolfo, Chair of the Committee on Equality and Non‑Discrimination of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. She referred to the Assembly’s January 2026 resolution ‘Towards a ban on conversion practices’, stressing that ‘the message is unambiguous: these practices must be prohibited’. Graeme  Reid, United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, emphasised that conversion practices engage core human‑rights obligations and that ‘every person has the right to live free from coercion, fear and shame.’

Persistent inequality and the need for EU‑wide action

Recent data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights shows that high levels of discrimination, harassment and violence remain a daily reality for many LGBTIQ+ people. Online hate speech, bullying in schools and barriers to healthcare, housing and employment continue to undermine equality across the Member States, while implementation gaps and political backlash threaten hard‑won progress.

The debate took place against the backdrop of a landmark ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Commission v Hungary, which confirmed that national measures restricting the visibility and expression of LGBTIQ+ identities were incompatible with EU law and fundamental rights. Participants said that the judgment reinforced the Union’s legal obligation to protect equality and human dignity, underlining the central role of EU‑level action in safeguarding LGBTIQ+ rights across all Member States.

Discussions also focused on the European Commission’s Communication on the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, which sets out priorities to strengthen protection, inclusion and fundamental rights across the Union. Speakers agreed that the success of the Strategy would depend on robust enforcement, clear accountability mechanisms and sustained support for civil society.

Two opinions translating commitments into tangible measures

In its own‑initiative opinion on the Ban on conversion practices in the EU (SOC/854), the EESC strongly condemns all forms of conversion practices as violations of human dignity and fundamental rights. It calls on the European Commission to propose a comprehensive and legally binding EU‑wide ban covering both children and adults, prohibiting the conduct and advertising of such practices, ensuring effective penalties, and providing full protection and support for survivors, including intersex persons.

In its opinion on the Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030 (SOC/849), the EESC welcomes the new Strategy while calling for stronger monitoring and enforcement, binding benchmarks linked to EU funding and decisive action to counter anti‑LGBTIQ+ backlash. The Committee stresses the need to close persistent gaps in access to healthcare, education, housing and employment, to guarantee workplace inclusion, and to ensure adequate funding under the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

The EESC concluded by reaffirming its commitment, as the voice of organised civil society, to advancing equality, safeguarding dignity and ensuring that all people in Europe can live freely and safely, without fear of discrimination or coercion.

Quotes from the rapporteurs/groups

‘Equality is not only a value, it is also a driver of competitiveness for Europe. The Union of Equality reminds us that talent, skills and ambition must be able to thrive without barriers. For EU employers, advancing equality is not just the right thing to do: it is essential to attracting talent, boosting innovation, improving performance and strengthening social cohesion across the Union.’

Sandra Parthie, President of the EESC Employers' Group

‘The EESC demands a ban on conversion practices and calls for them to be classified as hate crimes. We propose an awareness and education campaign to support victims and also to provide uniform protection throughout the Union to our citizens affected by these acts, which violate human dignity.’

Pascal Debay, rapporteur for SOC/854

‘Legislation alone is not enough: we also need education and support mechanisms and we need to raise awareness. This opinion is not just about protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons: it is also about defending the integrity of our democratic societies.’

Ionuţ Sibian, co-rapporteur for SOC/854

‘At a time when EU values are under pressure, defending equality is more important than ever. LGBTIQ+ rights are fundamental rights for all Europeans. We must protect, implement and truly live them in all Member States. The LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030 is a key tool to turn this into reality.’

Juliane Marie Neiiendam, rapporteur for SOC/849