The conference “Ensuring equality for rainbow families in Europe” has just concluded.

Unequal rights granted to rainbow families in different countries remain one of the most serious challenges in Europe. How can EU citizens be guaranteed the right to freedom of movement, when crossing a border may mean losing parental rights or having a marriage, valid in one’s own country, not legally recognized? How, in the face of growing opposition to equality, can international alliances and political support be built? How can we counter regression in states that not long ago were leaders of change?

These are just some of the questions addressed during the conference “Ensuring equality for rainbow families in Europe”, organized by the Council of Europe and Malta’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The event, held on September 12 in Malta, gathered parliamentarians, lawyers, representatives of social organizations, and rainbow families from across Europe.

In the panel dedicated to the role of parliamentarians, Mirosława Makuchowska, Director of Campaign Against Homophobia, spoke about the situation in Poland and KPH’s activities, including:

• the campaign “All Families Are Important”,

• cooperation with the movement of parents of LGBT+ people and the appeal signed by over 500 mothers and fathers,

• rainbow families who openly talk with politicians in the corridors of the Polish Parliament, calling for the adoption of a civil partnership law.

The conference was not only an opportunity to exchange experiences, but also to develop joint actions aimed at achieving equal protection and recognition of all families across Europe.