New LGBTIQ+ Strategy underlines the intersectional vulnerability experienced by persons with a disability who are part of the LGBTIQ+ community

New LGBTIQ+ Strategy underlines the intersectional vulnerability experienced by persons with a disability who are part of the LGBTIQ+ community

On 20 October, the European Commission published its LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy for the period 2026-2030, which aims at protecting LGBTIQ+ people from harmful practices and hate-motivated offences, empowering LGBTIQ+ communities and bodies promoting equality, and engaging civil society as well as Member States and other actors.   

The Strategy underlined how this strategy will address how the combination of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and sex characteristics with other personal characteristics or identities, such as disability, age, sex, racial or ethnic origin and religion or belief contributes to unique experiences of discrimination.

It also noted that LGBTIQ+ people face heightened risks when it comes to mental health, and that LGBTIQ+ persons with disabilities are in particular at an increased risk of violence, harassment and mental health issues. It underlined the alarming fact that according to a survey by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, 66% of LGBTIQ people with disabilities reported having considered suicide in the year preceding the survey.

On the topic of employment, the European Commission will continue strengthening LGBTIQ+-focussed efforts within the EU Platform of Diversity Charters. European Diversity Charters help public and private sector organisations across the EU design and implement effective diversity and inclusion policies, and in the Platform, 27 national Charters come together and exchange good practices. Moreover, good practices that emerged in the context of inclusive employment practices, such as the Disability Employment Package will be taken into account to foster intersectional approaches. The LGBTQI+ Strategy thus aims to find synergies with the Disability Strategy.

Information about the EU LGBTIQ+ equality strategy 2026-2030 available here.