LGBTI Freedom Zones in Practice: LGBTI Rights and the EU

The year 2021 has shown that LGBTQI rights must be better protected: In Eastern Europe they have been brutally attacked by local nationalist regimes. But also in many Western European countries we have seen a setback provoked by right-wing populists. Under these circumstances, the European Parliament has declared the EU a Freedom Zone and European institutions are working on the first-ever EC LGBTQI Strategy. During this conference, we will discuss the current state of LGBTQI rights in Europe, focusing on three urgent issues.

Opening speakers:

• Daniel Kaddik, Executive Director, European Liberal Forum
• Sean O’Curneen, Secretary General Renew Europe Group, European Committee of the Regions
• Stephanie D’Hose, President of the Belgian Senate

Firstly, the floor will be taken by three speakers to talk about LGBTQI activism in times of change:

• Tomas Raskevicius, Member of the Parliament of Lithuania, Laisvės partija
• Catharina Rinzema, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group
• Yuri Guaiana, Senior Campaigner, All Out, Secretary, LGBTI Liberals of Europe

Secondly, the discussion will tackle the matter of LGBTIQ diplomacy in Europe. For this panel we are pleased to welcome:

• Francois Decoster, President of Renew Europe Group, European Committee of the Region, Member of the Hauts de France regional parliament, Mayor of Saint-Omer
• Pierre Karleskind, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group
• Eleni Tsetsekou, Head of Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Unit, Council of Europe

The final part will follow the issue of hate speech in liberal societies with the lead of:

• Miguel Chambel, Coordinator of the LGBTI Intergroup
• Abir Al-Sahlani, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group
• Akram Kubanychbekov, Senior Advocacy Officer, ILGA Europe
• Marcin Rodzinka-Verhelle, Author, Campaign Against Homophobia

Panels will be moderated by:

• Marta Ramos, ILGA Portugal
• Ricardo Silvestre, International Officer, MLS
• Lauren Mason, Project Coordinator, European Liberal Forum

All participants are required to have valid Covid Safe Ticket to attend the event.

This event is organised by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with Fundacja Projekt: Polska and Movimento Liberal Social. Co-funded by the European Parliament. The views expressed herein are those of the speaker(s) alone. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the European Parliament and/or the European Liberal Forum