LIMASSOL (Cyprus) – There is a new energy in Europe to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people. However, there are still significant challenges and young people are especially vulnerable.

Malta maintained its position as the top country on “Rainbow Europe”, 2022, for full equality and respect for human rights. Azerbaijan and Turkey were in the bottom half of the rankings among 49 countries compiled and ranked by ILGA Europe, an umbrella organization for 600 gay rights advocacy organizations.

According to the Thursday report, Montenegro, France and Iceland also rose in the ranking. While the United Kingdom fell for not fulfilling its reform promises, Bulgaria and Romania still ranked among the EU’s lowest-ranking countries along with Poland.

Evelyne Paradis is executive director at ILGA Europe. “After complete stagnation in the last year which was extraordinarily concerning to us,” she said.

Paradise: “While we hear you speak of signs of optimism, our call today is to redouble efforts to ensure there is renewed mobilization. One focused on actions, and not words.”

Participated in an annual Forum of European Government and Civil Society Groups Meeting in Cyprus.

Particularly vulnerable were young people. One report from IGLYO, International Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth Organisation (LGBTQI), stated that there was a “complete block” in school inclusion efforts.

A quarter of European LGBTQI learner had suffered bullying in school. Bella FitzPatrick from IGLYO stated that anti-propaganda laws were introduced in five European countries to make it virtually impossible for students to get inclusive content at schools.

“It’s quite fitting that so many of our achievements in community over the past 10-15 year really relate to adults. The majority of backlash against youth is directed at them.

“It is really important that you remember that many schools don’t look that different than they did 20 years ago. The bullies are still targeting children. FitzPatrick reported that the children are still being bullied.