Vienna: A recent survey conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has shed light on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) individuals across the EU. While there has been a reduction in overall discrimination, alarming trends indicate an increase in physical and sexual violence against this community.
The comprehensive online survey, conducted between June and August 2023, garnered responses from over 100,000 self-identified LGBTIQ individuals. Published on Tuesday, the FRA’s report compares these findings with data from a similar survey conducted three years prior.
According to the report, there has been a notable increase in the openness of LGBTIQ individuals about their identities. However, this positive development is overshadowed by a rise in instances of violence, harassment, and bullying targeting the community.
The adjusted data reveals a concerning trend: the proportion of respondents who reported experiencing physical or sexual attacks due to their LGBTIQ status in the five years preceding the survey increased from 11% to 14%. Notably, Bulgaria and Latvia emerged as the worst-performing EU countries, with rates reaching 18% and 17%, respectively. The most affected groups were intersex and transgender individuals.
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In terms of discrimination, approximately 36% of respondents reported facing discrimination in at least one aspect of their lives in the year leading up to the survey, a decrease from 42% in the previous survey. Bulgaria and Cyprus recorded the highest rates of discrimination at 48%, with intersex and transgender individuals being the most affected, with rates exceeding 50%.
The areas of life where discrimination was observed encompassed various domains, including work, education, healthcare, interactions with public services, and social settings such as shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
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In addition to EU member states, the survey also included data from EU candidate countries Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. FRA Chief Sirpa Rautio emphasized the need for continued efforts to address these challenges, stating, “Being openly LGBTIQ in Europe should not be a struggle. Even though we see signs of progress, bullying, harassment, and violence remain constant threats.”
