Rainbow Rose held its annual General Assembly in Rome last month, bringing together delegates from all over Europe to debate the challenges facing LGBTIQ+ communities across Europe and agree priorities for the year ahead.
Delegates discussed and voted on motions that will shape Rainbow Rose’s future activities and direction. Extraordinary Motion: Solidarity Statement and Call to Action in support of the LGBTIQ+ community in Türkiye was adopted calling for urgent action of progressive forces in Turkey and Europe.
The Assembly provided an opportunity to share experiences, develop common responses and strengthen cooperation across borders.
The gathering comes as right-wing and far-right forces seek to undermine hard-won rights and fuel fear, mistrust and division. LGBTIQ+ communities are among those facing the consequences of politics that target minorities and question their place in society.
Dajana Bakić, Rainbow Rose President, said:
I have every reason to be proud of what we have built, for bringing LGBTIQ+ rights to the heart of progressive politics across Europe.
Our political report shows the strength of our collective action, while our political program with adopted motions sets clear direction for the future. We will be at the forefront to protect our trans siblings, defend LGBTIQ+ organizations and activists where freedom of assembly and associations are under threat, where lives are in danger. It is our shared mission and I am content that this Assembly confirmed that commitment.
Yet resistance to these divisive politics also offers hope. The General Assembly was an opportunity to build on that resistance, sharing ideas and campaigning approaches that can halt the advance of the far-right, reverse its gains and strengthen support for equality.
As Social Democrats, we work for inclusion, defend people’s power over their own lives and amplify the voices of minorities. Our response must be rooted in solidarity and in the conviction that everyone deserves to live openly, safely and with dignity.
Stefan Lovfen, Party of European Socialists President, said:
It pains me to think of a young person afraid to tell their family who they are. Or of someone letting go of their partner’s hand in the street because they feel unsafe.
I want us to build a Europe where nobody has to live with that fear. Where you can speak about your family at work. Go to school without fear. Grow older knowing you will be treated with care and respect. These are ordinary parts of life. As socialists and social democrats, we have a responsibility to make that possible — in our parties, in our parliaments, and in government. To defend the rights already won. To secure full equality. And to stand up to those who seek power by turning people against one another.
Delegates in Rome brought perspectives from across Europe, learning from one another’s successes and the challenges they face. Together, they helped turn shared values into practical action through Rainbow Rose, its member organisations and its work within the PES political family.
The task ahead is to defend the progress we have made and build the support needed to go further. Rainbow Rose’s General Assembly reaffirmed our determination to meet that challenge together, with equality, freedom and solidarity at the heart of our work.
Rainbow Rose thanks Partito Democratico of Italy for hosting this year’s General Assembly and for providing an opportunity for member organisations to come together in solidarity in Rome.