news blog

This NELFA news blog contains current information concerning rainbow families, important LGBTIQ* news in general and it summarises recent activities of NELFA Board members or member organisations. You find older entries in our newsletters.

BERLIN, 11 May 2023: Transgender Europe just published its annual Trans Rights Map. It shows an increase in trans rights in the region on the whole. However, the risk of regression and anti-trans backlash is pressing at the same time. Finland followed Iceland (and four other countries) to recognise the gender identity of trans parents within binary options. Read more. (graphic: TGEU)

BRUSSELS, 11 May 2023: ILGA-Europe just issued its new Rainbow Europe package including map and index. It shows that – despite intense anti-LGBTIQ* attacks in several countries – equality is still advancing across Europe. For rainbow families, there were i.e. good news in Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Finland. Read more. (graphic: ILGA-Europe)

BRUSSELS, 19 April 2023: Professor Alina Tryfonidou (University of Paphos, Cyprus and Reading, UK) just published her new study, entitled: “Cross-Border Legal Recognition of Parenthood in the EU”. It has as its aim to analyse the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on the recognition of parenthood in the EU. It also provides a critical assessment of the proposal and issues policy recommendations for its improvement. Read more. (graphic: EU, NELFA)

BERN, 20 March 2023: Marriage equality in Switzerland led to 749 same-sex weddings in the second half of 2022! And more than 2.000 civil unions were converted into a marriage. Read more in an SRF article. (photo: Keystone)

ROME, 18 March 2023: The right-wing government in Italy forces liberal cities to leave rainbow families in legal limbo – by not recognising a child’s legal relationship to both of its same-sex parents. Our member organisation Famigie Arcobaleno has started a support campaign for rainbow families to stop this political backlash. Even the Pope just critized anti-LGBTIQ* laws. Read more. (photo: Maria Silvia Fiengo)

MADRID, 10-12 March 2023: NELFA held its Annual General Meeting in the Spanish capital. On Friday, our member organisation Galehi organised a conference on “Families & Borders” (see the attendees in the picture) which has been streamed live via Instagram. On 10th, the AGM discussed the future tasks of the Network and a new Board was elected. Read more. The day ended with a cosy dance session with local families. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

DURHAM, 06 March 2023: A new US-Chinese meta-analysis of 34 studies on rainbow families concludes: “Most of the family outcomes are similar between sexual minority and heterosexual families, and sexual minority families have even better outcomes in some domains.” The highest risk is stigma and homophobia. Read more in this German article. (photo: queer.de, MDR/ Anna Wulffert)

SOFIA, 03 March 2023: The application for a Bulgarian birth certificate for a child of two mothers, one of whom is a Bulgarian citizen, has been rejected by the country’s Supreme Administrative Court, despite an opposite ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union. The CJEU ruled that a parent in one EU country is a parent in every EU country, no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more and an additional press release by the EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights. photo: Shutterstock/ADragan)

BRUSSELS, 01 March 2023: NELFA welcomes wholeheartedly two new full members. LGBT civil society organisation Legebitra (Slovenia) and the Foundation for Rainbow Families in Hungary joined the Network. This means, we have now officially 46 members in 33 European countries. (graphic: NELFA)

LONDON, 23 February 2023: The online platform “pinknews” just shared some statistical data from UK. New official figures show that same-sex married couples have higher levels of qualifications, and tend to be younger, than heterosexual couples. Married same-sex couples, or those in civil partnerships, are also less likely to have religious beliefs than their opposite-sex counterparts, according to the research. Read more. (photo: David Silverman for Getty)

BRUSSELS, 20 February 2023: ILGA-Europe published its Annual Review 2023. It finds that pervasive hate speech across Europe has led to the most violent year for LGBTI people in over decade. The 12th edition has charted the growing phenomenon of anti-LGBTI speech, as antipathy for LGBTI people has been driven and then exploited for political gain. Find out more. (graphic: ILGA-Europe)

GENEVA, 11 February 2023: The IFED network just published a first press release concerning the upcoming International Family Equality Day 2023. It is already the 12th edition of this colourful awareness day. With the motto “Power up families”, this year’s IFED calls on all families to embrace their uniqueness and to stand up to claim equality and justice. The IFED 2023 encourages everyone to support, accept, value and take care of each other. (graphic: IFED network)

HELSINKI, 02 February 2023: Wonderful news from Finland! The country has passed a new gender recognition law granting the right to legally change gender through the process of self-declaration, removing the need to go through a medical and psychiatric approval process first. Unfortunately, the law leaves out many in the community, such as young, intersex, and non-binary people. Read more. (photo: Prime Minister Sanna Marin, copyright: AFP)

LJUBLJANA, 31 January 2023: The LGBTIQ* community in Slovenia is celebrating. The amended Family Code, which now defines marriage as a union of two persons regardless of their gender, has taken effect. Amnesty Slovenije at a press conference: “A battle of almost three decades has thus concluded its final chapter. We wholeheartedly congratulate all LGBTIQ+ individuals and organizations who contributed to this victory! Love is a human right!” (photo: Amnesty Slovenije via Facebook)

STRASBOURG, 23 January 2023: The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Lithuania’s decision to restrict the publication of a fairy tale collection by author Neringa Macaté (who already died in 2020) was discriminatory as it showed the preference of authorities for opposite-sex marriage over same-sex unions. It’s a success for free speech and LGBTIQ* (family) rights! Read an article and a press release by ILGA-Europe. (photo: ILGA-Europe)

BERLIN, 17 January 2023: Germany’s Parliament has it’s first (official) gay couple. The conservative politicians Sepp Müller (CDU) and Wolfgang Stefinger (CSU) have announced that they love each other and have a relationship. Quote: “Sometimes, colleagues become friends. In our case, friendship became love. We are happy #loveislove”. Read more. (photo: Sepp Müller via Twitter)

STRASBOURG, 17 January 2023: The European Court of Human Rights decided in the case “Fedotova and Others v. Russia“. The Grand Chamber ruled by 14 to 3 that Russia must create a “legal framework” for same-sex couples. The principle of the judgment will apply to 16 countries that are still member states of the Council of Europe (Russia is not…): Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine. NELFA was involved in a third party intervention – and is very pleased with the decision! Read the judgment, a press release of the EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights and a statement of the Council of Europe Commissioner of Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović. (photo: wikipedia.org)

DUBLIN, 16 January 2023: Ireland should be “the best place in Europe to be LGBTQI+”, stated the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman TD and launched the LGBT Ireland 2023 – 2027 Strategic Plan. It is some sort of road map for how it is possible to create a country where all people are able to live full, safe and authentic lives. Congratulations to our NELFA member LGBT Ireland for this huge step forward! You can read the strategy here. (photo: LGBT Ireland)

BRUSSELS, 16 January 2023: A month ago, the EU Commission had announced its legislative proposal on mutual recognition of parenthood. This might have a major impact on rainbow families and the well-being of children in cross-border situations. But… what does this proposal provide? NELFA gave answers in its first 2023 webinar – with our guests Maria Vilar-Badia (EU Commission) and Prof. Alina Tryfonidou (University of Pafos/Reading). Here ist the link to the recorded event! (graphic: NELFA)

NICOSIA, 23 December 2022: Nikos Koumoutzis, Associate Professor at the Law School of the University of Nicosia in Cyprus wrote an interesting article about the latest surrogacy cases at the ECtHR and states that the recent decision on D.B. and Others v. Switzerland “signals a victory for rainbow families and simultaneously a defeat for national states who, from now on, face limits in their autonomy to enforce their surrogacy bans and to regulate descent based on at least some sort of resemblance to natural procreation.” Read more. (photo: Strasbourg Observers)

TIRANA, 23 December 2022: The Administrative Court of Appeal in Albania refused to legally recognise the parental responsibilities of both Alba Ahmetaj and Edlira Mara as mothers of their twin daughters. The couple has decided to litigate their case to the European Court of Human Rights. Read more in the article below of NELFA member ERA. (photo: ERA)

WARSAW, 17 December 2022: A Polish same-sex couple have lost their long-running effort to have their overseas marriage recognised by Poland’s legal system. They have now pledged to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. Agata Kowalska and Emilia Barabasz married in Germany in 2018. When they returned to Poland, they sought to register their marriage certificate in the Polish civil registry – but without success. Read more. (photo: Notes from Poland)

BRUSSELS, 13 December 2022: NELFA and the LGBTIQ* platform All Out finally closed their joint campaign on free movement for rainbow families in the EU. It was asking for a legislative proposal on mutual recognition of familial ties within the EU. We acknowledge that this has happened on 7th of December 2022. NELFA President Eleni Maravelia thanked the Commissioner and staff concerned for their work in a letter and sent the 44,853 supporting signatures which had been collected via the campaign throughout the last years to Brussels. (graphic: NELFA/ All Out)

BRUSSELS, 07 December 2022: The EU Commission just published its legislative proposal on parenthood recognition. It is focused on the best interests and the rights of the child and will provide legal clarity for all types of families, who find themselves in a cross-border situation within the EU. One of the key aspects is that the parenthood established in a Member State should be recognised in all the other Member States, without any special procedure. Find a joint press release of NELFA and ILGA-Europe, another statement of the EP’s Intergroups on LGBTI Rights und Children’s Rights and an article written by Joanna Gill with further insights of NELFA allies and Board members. (photo: Priscilla du Preetz/ Unsplash)

BRUSSELS, 01 December 2023: The PETI Committee of the European Parliament discussed hate crime and discrimination against LGBTIQ* people, including problems of rainbow families in cross-border situations. Interveners made clear that the EU should finally guarantee fundamental rights of children and their LGBTIQ* parents. Adéla Horáková (Czech Republic) and Lucia Plaváková (Slovakia) reported on the difficulties in their countries and called on a change. Commissioner Dalli (in the picture) promised again a legislative proposal. You can see the whole hearing here. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

BRUSSELS, 23 November 2022: Upon the initiative of the Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, the EU Parliament debated the protection of rainbow families. On this occasion, NELFA member Deystvie (including former Board members Veneta Limberova and Denitsa Lyubenova) and one of the two moms of the Baby Sara case (Bulgaria/Gibraltar) were invited to provide their input on what must change in the EU to ensure protection of all families. (photo: Intergroup on LGBTI Rights)

STRASBOURG, 22 November 2022: Switzerland violated the rights of a child born through a surrogacy arrangement in the US by not recognising the intended father as a parent, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled. The case of D.B. and Others v. Switzerland concerned a same-sex couple who were registered partners in Switzerland and had entered into a gestational surrogacy contract in the US under which a child was born. Read more. (photo: Irish Legal News)

BRUSSELS, 09 November 2022: The European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights celebrates its 25th anniverary. With 157 MEP’s it is actually the largest of all 27 Intergroups within the Parliament. The work consists in monitoring the work of the EU, the situation of LGBTIQ* people in EU Member States and beyond; and liaising with civil society groups to relay their concerns at the European level. NELFA says THANK YOU to all MEPs who stand for rainbow families!! Board member Dominique Boren was invited to the event and took some pictures! (photo: Dominique Boren)

WARSAW, 03 November 2022: The gay couple Jakub&Dawid wants to register their marriage contracted in Madeira/Portugal in their home country. The case has reached the Administrative Court in Warsaw. In the first hearing, it stated that there is NO clear ban on same-sex marriage in Poland. However, other laws still make it impossible to recognise domestic and foreign weddings. Read more. (photo: Jakub i Dawid via Facebook)

SOFIA, 19-23 October 2022: NELFA (Board) members and allies attended the first face-to-face ILGA-Europe Annual Conference after a two-years break (due to Covid) in Bulgaria. It was a very good opportunity to meet and to discuss different rainbow families topics. NELFA held a workshop on “parenthood recognition” in the EU. Read more. Former Board member Veneta Limberova from Deystvie explained the “Baby Sara” case and presented a corresponding, heartwarming film. At the conference, EU Commissioners Dalli and Reynders announced a legislative proposal on mutual recogntion of parenthood in the EU. It will be presented on 7th of December 2022.  (photo: Björn Sieverding)

LJUBLJANA, 04 October 2022: The Slovenian Parliament passed an amendment allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt after a constitutional court ruling made it the first country in Eastern Europe to do so. The family law amendment was passed by 48 MPs, with 29 against and one abstaining. According to NELFA allies of Legebitra, the decision has immediate effect. Read more. (photo: www.euronews.com)

MADRID, 02 October 2022: The Spanish rainbow family community is quite large and comes together on different occasions, for example for the “Jornadas de Familias” in their 12th edition. A round table on the topic was a happy reunion of many NELFA activists, like President Eleni Maravelia, former President Katy Pallás (both FLG, Barcelona), Board member Jesús Santos Homobono (Galehi, Madrid) and Marc Brell (Galesh, Valencia). Read more. (photo: Crezco)

BERLIN, 01 October 2022: Germany celebrates five years of marriage equality. Same-sex couples can get married since October 2017, after a decision of the Parliament (Bundestag) in June 2017 and after a long battle of activists for more than 30 years. NELFA member LSVD published on this occasion a comprehensive chronicle. (collage: LSVD)

BELGRADE, 17 September 2022: Europride was celebrated in Serbia’s capital, after a disturbing political back and forth concerning a possible cancellation of the parade due to “security reasons”. NELFA members took part aut Europride, above all ERA, the LGBTI Equal Rights Association. We send our support and solidarity to the whole community in Serbia and the Balkans, who have demonstrated such courage and resilience. Read a statement by ILGA-Europe. (photo: Belgrade Pride)

TIRANA, 15 September 2022: The online platform “Shota” just reported on a rainbow family in Albania and their permanent struggles. Alba Ahmetaj and Edlira Mara raise two little girls together, but they can’t get married and are not both recognised as legal mothers. They are fighting for more rights at court, but it can take years to get a decision. Read the full article (in Albanian). (graphic: Shota)

BARI, 12 September 2022: The Civil Court faced the case of two seperated mothers, one of whom asked for the cancellation of the other’s name as the child’s mother from the official registers of the Municipality. But the child, according to the Court, has the right to two mothes, even after seperation. Read more (in Italian). (photo:www.gay.it)

BERLIN, 12 September 2022: In Germany, co-motherhood is still a complicated issue. There is no direct recognition, (married) lesbian couples still must undergo a stepchild adoption procedure. However, many German courts have already recommended to change the current provisions and asked the Supreme Court in Karlsruhe for a decision. In the meantime, a first couple went directly to Karlsruhe with a constitutional complaint. Read more. (photo: Tagesspiegel)

VALETTA, 10 September 2022: Malta is one of the countries in the EU that has a full range of rainbow families rights – and great support by former President, Marie-Louise Colleiro Preca, who initiated “The Malta Foundation of the Wellbeing of Society” – meanwhile a full NELFA member. Together with MGRM (our second Maltese member), they form a Rainbow Families Network which just celebrated Pride. See more. (photo: The Malta Foundation of the Wellbeing of Society)

BERN, 31 August 2022: A couple of weeks after the introduction of marriage equality in Switzerland, rainbow families still face discrimination – when it comes to medical assisted insemination. The treatment is subsidized for different-sex, but not for same-sex couples. Read more. NELFA member Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien calls on the health insurances to reimburse the costs. You can find further information in this press release. (photo: www.rts.ch)

VIENNA, 10 August 2022: In many countries, assisted insemination enables lesbian mothers to be recognised as parents. This is also possible in Austria since a couple of years. However, home insemination was not covered. This has now changed by a new decision of the Constitutional Court. Our Austrian member FAmOS celebrates and just shared further information. (photo: FAmOs)

KYIV, 02 August 2022: The president of Ukraine, Zelenskky, said he supports a civil partnership law for same-sex couples. Kyiv Pride backed a marriage equality petition that was submitted in July with more than 28.000 signatures, which is higher than the legal threshold that requires him to consider it. Zelenskky in his response to the petition notes his support for marriage equality, but acknowledges the Ukrainian constitution cannot be amended while the country is under martial law. He nevertheless directed his government to submit a report on whether same-sex couples can enter into civil partnerships through the country’s existing legal framework or a bill. (Washington Blade/ Michael K. Lavers)

ANDORRA LA VELLA, 21 July 2022: The Parliament just passed a law that allows trans people to change their name and gender marker on official documents and that eliminates any distinction between married heterosexual couples or same-sex civil partnerships. However, the law remarks that canonical marriage is only open to heterosexual couples and change of official documents is not fully based on self-determination. Read more. (graphic: ILGA-Europe)

ATHENS, 19 July 2022:The European Intersex Network OII just shared important news from Greece. The Parliament voted in favour of the “Medically Assisted Reproduction Reforms Act”. The law bans medical interventions (including hormonal treatments and surgeries) that aim to partially or totally change the sex characteristics of intersex minors under the age of 15, without their free and informed consent. Read more. (graphic: OII)

BRUSSELS, 18 July 2022: ILGA-Europe just published an article about the mutual recognition on parenthood within the EU. It reflects on the reasoned order in the case of an Irish-Polish lesbian couple whose dauhgter “Sofia” was not recognised and even remained stateless for a while. The article shows that Member States must issue a national ID, however they do not need to issue birth certificates stating two mothers. Unfortunately, children remain at risk to be deprived of free movement rights if – for example – their names appear differently in the documents. Read more. (photo: ILGA-Europe)

BRUSSELS, 12 July 2022: The EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights is one of NELFA’s main partners in achieving more equality for rainbow families within the EU. This time, the bureau hosted Commissioner Helena Dalli to discuss the upcoming proposals (to be expected on 9th of November 2022). It is in particular about the mutual recognition of parenthood within the EU. (photo: Intergroup on LGBTI Rights/ Facebook)

VALETTA, 12 July 2022: Five years ago, Malta’s Parliament voted for “marriage equality”. NELFA’s member organisation “The Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society” just shared a newspaper article on this anniversary. Former NELFA Board member Elaine Micallef Avalone told her story to “Times of Malta”. You can find it here. (photo: Reuters/ D. Zammit Lupi)

MADRID, 09 July 2022: EU Commissioner Dalli just visited Madrid Pride and Galehi – Asociación de Familias LGTBI. NELFA Board member Jesús Santos Homobono met up with her to discuss free movement rights for rainbow families. Recent news says that the legislative proposal on “recognition of parenthood between EU Member States” will be presented on 9th of November (under the resposibility of VP Jourovà)! (photo: Jesús Santos Homobono)

LJUBLJANA, 08 July 2022: Good news! A top court in Slovenia ruled that bans on same-sex couples getting marrying and adopting children are unconstitutional in the European country and ordered its Parliament to amend the law within six months to guarantee they can. Read more. (photo: Jure Makovec/ AFP).

VIENNA, 06 July 2022: The Constitutional Court in Austria backed the rights of foreign same-sex couples. The are allowed to adopt a child – regardless the legal provisions in their home countries. In this case, it was about a Czech-Slovakian gay couple who started an adoption procedure in Vienna. Read more. (photo: picture alliance/ Keystone)

MILAN, 02 July 2022: LGBTIQ* activits still fight for more rights of rainbow families. Most recently, at Pride, the major of Milan, Sala, announced that the city has reactivated the recognition of children with same-sex parents. Read more. In June, NELFA member Famiglie Arcobaleno and Rete Lenford had issued a new, comprehensive law proposal (on marriage equality, ART, adoption et cetera). Read more. (photo: Milano Pride via Facebook)

BERN, 01 July 2022: In September, voters approved the “Marriage for All” initiative by a nearly two-thirds majority, making Switzerland one of the last countries in Western Europe to legalise same-sex marriage. Now, the first couples were able to say “I do”! For example, Alois Carnier and Peter Leu in Schaffhausen (in the picture). The German broadcaster Deutsche Welle provided a nice video on their website. You can find it here. (photo: Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann)

BUDAPEST, 30 June 2022: A court just decided that a little documentary about a rainbow family is not a threat against children and that it was okay to broadcast it during the afternoon in TV (RTL). Congratulations to our friends in Budapest from Háttér Társaság and the corresponding initiative “acsaladazcsalad“! Read more. (photo: RTL)

LUXEMBOURG, 27 June 2022: The European Court of Justice decided in the case of “Baby Sofia” (C-2/2021). The girl was stateless because the countries of origin of her mothers (Ireland and Poland) didn’t recognise the Spanish birth certificate. According to the judgment, Poland is obliged to issue a passport and a PESEL number (health insurance) for the child. The case is similar to the one of “Baby Sara“. NELFA is very pleased with the recent decision! We accompanied the couple for a while and thank lawyer Anna Mazurczak for her tremendous work! (photo: Anna Mazurczak via Facebook)

COLOGNE, 26 June 2022: More and more countries discuss legal multiparenting options (including rainbow families) and (queer) communities of responsibility. In Germany, the new coalition is elaborating such an instrument. NELFA’s member Fachstelle Regenbogenfamilien NRW, respectively its umbrella organisation Queeres Netwerk NRW, published a position paper. Read more. (photo: Zackary Drucker/ The Gender Spectrum Collection)

STOCKHOLM, 22 June 2022: Rainbow families will be recognised from 1st of August when the child was born abroad. So far, only the person who gave birth is recognised directly. For the best interests of the child the existing legal familial ties won’t disappear just by crossing a border!! Thank you, RFSL for your commitment! Read more (in Swedish). (photo: RFSL)

AMSTERDAM, 16 June 2022: Remco Yizahk Cooremans is President of NELFA’s Dutch member organisation Meer Dan Gewenst. In the current European Podcast he explains i.e. the problems of multiparenting families (from 18 min. onwards). Read more. In the picture, you can see Remco (on the right) i.e. with lawyer Wilma Eusman, who received a Royal Award in April! (photo: Meer Dan Gewenst)

BRUSSELS, 14 June 2022: The JURI Committee of the European Parliament organised a public hearing on the recognition of parenthood in EU Member States. The aim was to examine the state of play on cross-border recognition and to present the next steps to be taken at European level to safeguard the rights of children and families in such situations. NELFA Board member Björn Sieverding (LSVD) held a little lecture. You can find the presentation here. (photo: NELFA)

BRUSSELS, 07 June 2022: On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the CJEU #ComanJudgement, ILGA-Europe and NELFA’s member Háttér Society filed a complaint to the EU Commission because of Hungary’s non-compliance with the judgment. Read more. Additionally, the EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights has issued an open letter. (photo: ILGA-Europe)

ZAGREB, 26 May 2022: According to NELFA’s member Dugine obitelji, the Croatian High Administrative Court delivered a precedent ruling that all life partners may be evaluated for adoption suitability and must not be discriminated against on sexual orientation grounds. The court dismissed the relevant ministry’s argument that same-sex couples should not be assessed for adoption for the sake of “protecting the child’s interest”. Read more. (photo: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels)

VILNIUS, 26 May 2022: A civil union bill, aimed at regulating relations of same-sex partners, has passed the first vote in the Lithuanian parliament. It will now move to committees before returning for a second plenary vote in June. Seventy MPs voted in favour of the civil union bill, 49 were against and six abstained. Read more. (photo: Ž. Gedvila/BNS)

EDINBURGH, 23 May 2022: The Church of Scotland has voted to allow clergy to conduct same-sex marriages for the first time. Members of the General Assembly in Edinburgh voted to change church law following years of campaigning. It means same-sex couples will be able to marry in church in services conducted by ministers. Read more. (photo: Getty Images)

PRAGUE, 21 May 2022: Our friends from Prague Pride just issued a nice video of a singing female couple, including the message to support the marriage equality campaign in the Czech Republic with more than 156.000 signatures. You can get insights on this website. President Zeman vows to block same-sex marriages. Read more. (photo: jsmefer.cz)

STRASBOURG, 18 May 2022: The European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment in the case of Valdís Fjölnisdóttir and Others v. Iceland. It was about a (former) lesbian couple and their child born through surrogacy in California. The Court found that it was not a breach of family life that the authorities didn’t recognise legal parenthood for both of the mothers. The child was then fostered by both of them. Read article one and two concerning the case. (photo: curvemag.com)

BRUSSELS, 17 May 2022: On #IDAHOBIT2022, Members of the European Parliament discussed LGBTIQ* rights and free movement for rainbow families in the EU. Many thanks for your permanent support, Terry Reintke, Marc ANGEL and Roberta Metsola!! See more. The United Nations published a “Free & Equal” campaign with a video. In Vienna, our Austrian member organisation FAmOS gave a seminar on rainbow families for pedagogues. (photo: FAmOS via Facebook).

SOFIA, 16 May 2022: This is a major court decision in Bulgaria! The Municipality of Sofia must issue a birth certificate stating two mothers. It is the implementation of the “Baby Sara” case, that was ruled on 14th of December 2021 at the Europen Court of Justice in Luxemburg. You can find more information at NELFA’s member organisation Deystvie. (photo: Deystvie)

LEIPZIG, 15 May 2022: NELFA and the local rainbow families’ group “Queerkids” celebrated the International Day of Families with a cosy meeting. It was the first event for rainbow families in the city in ten years. Around 60 LGBTIQ* parents with children came together to discuss their situations and to enjoy the sun with their peers. It was also NELFA’s contribution to the International Family Equality Day #IFED2022. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

FRANKFURT/MAIN, 14 May 2022: The European branch of FLI (Family Law Institute” organised it’s fourth Annual Meeting with LGBTIQ* Family lawyers and experts from all over Europe and beyond. They discussed again recent cases, developments and struggles. It was the last event organised by wonderful Director Diana Adams (THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK!). The incoming FLI Director is Gabriela Luensmann (LSVD, Germany) and there will be a new membership committee (Alexander Schuster, Italy; Anna Mazurczak, Poland and Denitsa Lyubenova, Bulgaria). (photo: FLI, Diana Adams)

BRUSSELS, 10 May 2022: Our friends from Families Europe just launched a joint campaign with Men Engage Eastern Europe & Central Asia to mark the upcoming International Day of Families 2022 (15th of May). No matter the make-up of a family, a family is a team! Read more. (photo: UNFPA)

VADUZ, 08 May 2022: The Parliament of the Principality (Landtag) in Liechtenstein just allowed step-child adoption for same-sex couples! The law will come into force from 1st of July 2022. At the same time, the MP’s voted against the current prohibition of joint adoption and access to ART.  Read more. (photo: MP Daniel Seger, by Michael Zanghellini)

VILNIUS, 05 May 2022: Lithuania will soon have the chance to decide on a law on gender-neutral partnerships. With this in mind, the Members of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights addressed a letter to the government, Parliament and leaders of the parliamentary groups with a message of support. You can read the document here. (graphic: Pixabay/ jorono)

LONG BEACH, 02-06 May 2022: ILGA World held its Conference in California with at least nine pre-conferences and one of the was deidicated to “family diversity” and the celebration of #IFED2022, the International Family Equality Day. One of the organisers was NELFA’s full member organisation Sateenkaariperheet ry from Helsinki in Finland. (photo: ILGA World)

GENEVA, 01 May 2022: The International Family Equality Day was celebrated all over the world! This year, different events took place in 71 countries and 237 towns. IFED was entitled “Family Equality is Everybody’s Business”. Many NELFA members had their own IFED meetings, picnics and family festivals. You can find those i.e. via the hashtag #IFED2022. And soon, you will get more information on IFED’s website. (graphic: IFED Network)

BRUSSELS, 19 April 2022: COFACE Families Europe just presented a new webinar in its “Breakfast Bytes” series. This time, NELFA was invited to provide information on the “Cross-border recognition of familial ties within the EU”. It contained the current status of rainbow families, their problems in exercising their free movement rights and the recent efforts to elaborate a Certificate on Parenthood. You can read more details or just dive into the full presentation. (graphic: COFACE/NELFA)

BUDAPEST, 12 April 2022: The referendum on LGBTIQ* issues in Hungary was categorically invalid on 3rd of April, as it did not reach the minimum threshold of 50% for either answer to any of its four questions. However, the Fidesz-led government is now suing NGOs who campaigned against the referendum. 16 organisations received fines. Read a press release, isued by the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights. (photo: Reuters)

POZNAN, 25-27 March 2022: Finally, NELFA had again the possibility to organise a face-to-face weekend – after more than two years! We had an important seminar on “Rainbow Families Across Europe” and our Annual General Meeting. Due to the pandemic, not everyone was able to join us in person. And afterwards, we had some more corona cases. However: it was so good to meet up again and to have cosy hours with rainbow families!

AMSTERDAM, 22 March 2022: One of NELFA’s first members is “Meer Dan Gewenst” in the Netherlands. And now, the foundation turned 25 years and released a little video to share some memories. See more. (graphic: MDG)

BRAUNSCHWEIG, 22 March 2022: A church musician lost his job because he wanted to start an altruistic surrogacy journey. He stopped his efforts, but the job decision couldn’t be changed. Read more. No understanding for rainbow families also in Liechtenstein some days ago. The archbishop in Vaduz declared marriage equality (as discussed in the Principality) as “devilish attack”. Read more. (photo: Chris Sobczak via flickr)

PRISTINA, 18 March 2022: The Parliament of Kosovo rejected the draft Civil Code due to its inclusion of the possibility to regulate same-sex partnership, even though it would have been regulated with a specific law. ILGA Europe condemned in particular the discriminatory speech and misinformation used by many MPs and called on political parties to adequately tackle such discrimination. Read more. (photo: Balkan Insight via twitter)

BUDAPEST, 17 March 2022: The Hungarian courts decided that the fine against Lyra Konyv for selling a rainbow families book (Lawrence Shimel) was illegal! The government appealed and that was rejected, too! Read more. (photo: Lörincz Tamás)

BRUSSELS, 12 March 2022: Today, NELFA turned ten years old! Our Network was incorporated under Belgian law as an international non-profit association (aisbl) on 12th of March 2012. In the past, we have always worked for a better recognition, protection, equal treatment and acceptance of rainbow families in Europe. We experienced setbacks, but also celebrated successes. And we will continue! Stay tuned! (photo: NELFA)

BRUSSELS, 10 March 2022: In February, ILGA-Europe published its Annual Review 2022. It shows the (legal) developments in the European countries concerning LGBTIQ* rights. NELFA has elaborated a little presentation to see the changes for rainbow families (in 2021). (graphic: NELFA)

COPENHAGEN, 03 March 2022: Again a very good Folketing decision for rainbow families in Denmark! Parental leave will be possible not only for the legal parents but also for their partners (up to four people)!! Read more in the article written by our member LGBT komiteen. (graphic: LGBT komiteen)

KYIV, 26 February 2022: NELFA stands with the people in the Ukraine! We hope that this nightmare will end as soon as possible. We want peace and insist on the respect for human rights. This war is an infernality! Read our press release. If you want to help, you can find more information at ILGA-Europe’s webpage. Or donate directly to Kyiv Pride. (graphic: NELFA)

ROME, 24 February 2022: The Italian Constitutional Court has strengthened the rights of families through adoption. Legal ties should be recognised beyond the simple child-parent relationship, i.e. for siblings. Read more. (photo: gaypost.it)

WARSAW, 16 February 2022: In Poland, children in rainbow families are often not recognised. However, more and more jugments are promising: The Supreme Administration Court just decided to recognise a child that was born after a surrogacy arrangement in Canada. One of the girl’s dads is Polish – so she is now a Polish citizen, too. Read more. (photo: KPH)

RIGA, 14 February 2022: 26 applications by same-sex couples have been filed in several administrative courts, requesting to recognise their legal relationships. They turned to the courts after a Supreme Court decision on a provisional rule under which same-sex couples will be able to register their relationships. Read more. (photo: Freepik stock images)

MOSCOW, 15 February 2022: Our NELFA member, the Russian LGBT Network is at risk. It has constantly been targeted with threats, provocations and defamation campaigns. In November of 2021, the Russian LGBT Network was labeled as ‘foreign agent’ and Russian authorities have started legal action to permanently liquidate Charitable Foundation Sphere, organisation operating all the programs of the Movement, which would leave the Network largely without the ability to carry out its work. The platform All Out startet a support campaign. You can read more and sign here. (graphic: All Out)

COPENHAGEN, 10 February 2022: Good news from the Parliament in Denmark!! Home insemination will be covered under the Children’s act (means: recognition of legal ties between the child and the biological mother and her partner/ or the biological father) and trans* parents will be mentioned in their right gender on birth certificates. Read more in this article of NELFA’s member LGBT komiteen!! (graphic: LGBT komiteen)

TOULOUSE, 09 February 2022: The Court of Appeal recognises the right for a transgender person, a man who has become a woman, who has conceived a child with his male reproductive system, to be named as the mother in the child’s birth certificate. This is a great success for NELFA’s allies in France, in particular lawyer Clélia Richard. Read more. (photo: europe-cities.com )

LILLE, 04 February 2022: Under the French EU presidency, the Ministers of Justice came together in a meeting and discussed inter alia the cross-border recognition of parenthood. The EU Commission actually plans a legislative proposal (to be expected in autumn) to ensure children’s (free movement) rights and their filiation in all Member States. Germany i.e. backs the efforts. Read more. An article with NELFA quotes reflects the current situation. (photo: EPA-EFE/Boris Pejovic)

PARIS, 03 February 2022: A Court in Paris just decided on parental responsibility for four persons – a lesbian and a gay couple. Another step forward for LGBTIQ* multi-parenting! However, it’s not legal parenthood for the people concerned. We still wait for such a law in Europe. However, congratulations to the lawyer Caroline Mécary! Read more. (photo: shutterstock)

HAMBURG, 25 January 2022: In a historic campaign, 125 German LGBTIQ* people/families within the Catholic Church just had their Coming Out. The public TV (ARD) broadcasted a corresponding documentary, entitled “Wie Gott uns schuf” in the primetime. Afterwards, it was widely discussed. The church in Germany considers to change their dealing with divorce, celibacy, homosexuality. See more (in German): (photo: RBB/eyeopeningmedia)

MÜNSTER, 17 January 2022: The Fiscal Court in the German city just decided that a gay couple can’t deduct costs (13.000 Euro travel expenses, advive services and medical examinations) for their surrogacy journey. The judge pointed out that surrogacy is forbidden in the country. Read more (in German).

STRASBOURG, 13 January 2022: The Council of Europa Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published an important statement : “The decision of the Hungarian government to conduct a national referendum regarding children’s access to information concerning sexual orientation and gender identity issues (…) is deeply regrettable as it furthers the instrumentalisation of the human rights of LGBTI people”. Read more. (photo: CoE)

BRUSSELS, 11 January 2022: The EU Law Analysis Blog issued an article on rainbow families and the right to freedom of movement, respectively the “Baby Sara” case (V.M.A. v Stolichna obsthina, rayon ‘Pancharevo’ case). It is written by Chiara De Capitani, a Linguist agent at the European Commission. Read more. (photo: Bjoertvedt/wikicommons)

VIENNA, 10 January 2022: A new decision of the Constitutional Court in Austria (Verfassungsgerichtshof) clarifies that unmarried couples are allowed to adopt children jointly – as married (same-sex) couples and those in a civil union do! Read more (in German). (photo: APA/ Herbert Neubauer)

BERLIN, 05 January 2022: Germany appointed Sven Lehmann (Greens) as the Federal Government Commissioner for the Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Diversity. He will be in charge of creating policies that promote inclusivity and diversity. It will be interesting, how the Coalition will go ahead with new rules i.e. for multi-parenting and the law of descent. Read more. (photo: Sven Lehmann via youtube)

TEL AVIV, 04 January 2022: Israel’s Health Minister Horowitz announced that same-sex couples, single men and transgender people will be able parent children through surrogacy, an option that was previously banned for them in the country. The new rules come into effect on 11th of January. Read more. (photo: Tomer Neuberg/ FLASH90)

SOPOT, 30 December 2021: NELFA ally Anna Strzałkowska from Poland shared very good news at the end of the year via Facebook. After an attack on a rainbow families’ picnic in Sopot at the Baltic Sea in 2017, the District Court finally punished activists of an ultra-right foundation (translated quote in the post: “3 to 5 months restriction of liberty”, “30 hours community service per month” and “PLN 500 each for the Polish Red Cross”). Read more. (photo: Jan Rusek)

SOFIA, 24 December 2021: We are proud! NELFA Board member Denitsa Lyubenova from Deystvie in Bulgaria is “Hero of 2021”! At least for “Balkan Insight”, a website of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), that focuses on news, analysis, commentary and investigative reporting from Southeast Europe. Read the article. (photo: Denitsa Lyubenova)

PAPHOS, 21 December 2021: NELFA’s individual member Alina Tryfonidou from Cyprus (Neapolis University) just wrote an article about the recent judgment in the “Baby Sara” case before the European Court of Justice . Her analysis shows the highlights of the decision and the remaining legal gaps. Read more. (photo: picture alliance/ Arne Immanuel Bänsch, dpa)

LEIDEN, 19 December 2021: Dutch Professor Kees Waaldijk just published a blog post on “six international legal norms on the protection of same-sex partnership”. It is intended to keep interested readers informed about legal developments relating to sexual orientation, gender expression and identity and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Read more. (photo: Reuters)

WARSAW, 20 December 2021: A new survey reveals that a majority of Polish respondents backs rainbow families and marriage equality! Although same-sex couples are unable to adopt or undergo IVF in Poland, 65 per cent of respondents said that if they were sure that children raised by same-sex couples would develop equally well as their peers raised by heterosexual couples, they would have nothing against such families. Read more. (photo: Piotr Lapinski/ NurPhoto via Getty)

LUXEMBOURG, 14 December 2021: This is again a landmark decision! The EU’s top court has ruled that same-sex parents and their children must be recognised as a family in all Member States. The case came before the European Court of Justice (CJEU) after Bulgarian authorities refused to give a birth certificate to the new-born daughter of a same-sex couple on the basis that a child cannot have two mothers. Read ILGA’s press release. (photo: CJEU)

STRASBOURG, 30 November 2021: The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)and its Task Force on LGBTIQ* issues held an online exchange of views with experts on legal and administrative challenges faced by rainbow families. Three legal experts, Alina Tryfonidou,  Robert Wintemute and Lydia Bracken, as well as NELFA Board members Dominique Boren and Daniel Martinovic, participated in the discussions. Read more. (photo: ECRI)

BERLIN, 24 November 2021: The new Coalition of Socialdemocrats, Greens and Liberals wants to better the situation for LGBTIQ* parents and their children. Highlights: co-parent recognition (for lesbian couples), legal multiparenting options and pushing for a mutual recognition of parenthood within the EU! Read more (in German). (photo: Ronny Day/ flickr)

SOFIA, 23 November 2021: The REC project “Rainbow Shield” slightly comes to its end. The partners, including NELFA, organised a final conference to discuss the situation of LGBTIQ* people in Bulgaria and other countries and how to enhance the legal protection of people concerned. You can see the full conference here. (graphic: Deystvie)

BERN, 17 November 2021: Switzerland has announced that same-sex couples can get married beginning on 1 July, 2022, after marriage equality was approved in a referendum. Same-sex couples will be able to adopt children together and get access to IVF. The government also announced that, from January, the country will recognise the marriages of same-sex couples who marry abroad instead of treating the unions as civil partnerships. Read more (photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)

ANKARA, 13 November 2021: The Turkish government and media accuse a Dutch rainbow family to “abuse” their adoptive son (who was fostered by a lesbian couple after he was mistreated by his biological parents…). NELFA strongly condemns those fake news! Read more (in German). (photo: Screenshot by queer.de)

BRUSSELS/SOFIA, 10 November 2021: Regarding the recent attack against the LGBTIQ* community centre “Rainbow Hub” in the Bulgarian capital, the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights is calling on the government to propose legislation to criminalise hate crimes and hate speech. The “Rainbow Hub” project is partly organised by NELFA’s member organisation Deystvie. Read more. (photo: LGBTI Intergroup)

KASSEL, 10 November 2021: The Federal Social Court decided that the health insurance does not have to pay for the fertility treatment of married lesbian couples (as it is possible for heterosexual couples when they use their own gametes). There would be “no obligation” to balance financially the reproductive biological limits just because of the possibility of same-sex marriages. Read more (in German). (photo: Thinkstock)

BRUSSELS, 05-07 November 2021: NELFA attended the “Men Having Babies” conference and informed about rainbow families in Europe. Board members and allies i.e. from Belgium (Homoparentalités), France (apgl) and the Netherlands (Meer Dan Gewenst) also took part at a discussion about misconceptions and stereotypes around surrogacy, and resulting stigmas that face European families. Read more. (photo: Dominique Boren)

MADRID, 05 November 2021: The Spanish health minister Darias has signed an order extending free fertility treatment, including IVF, to queer women, single cis women, trans and non-binary people. While queer and single people were previously able to access publicly funded fertility treatments, in 2013 the conservative Popular Party rolled back this right. Read more. (photo: Twitter/ FELGTB)

BRUSSELS, 23 October 2021: NELFA and the LGBTIQ* platform All Out have relaunched their campaign on free movement rights for rainbow families within the EU. LGBTIQ* parents and their children still experience difficulties when crossing borders, familial ties cease to exist, children sometimes remain stateless. We want to convince the European Union to realise the mutual recognition of civil status documents like birth or marriage certificates. Read more. (graphic: All Out)

BRUSSELS, 18 October 2021: ILGA-Europe just published a blog article about a recent judgment at the ECtHR in Strasbourg concerning a trans woman. Russia discriminated against her and violated her right to family life by denying her any contact with her children. If you want to remind the case, you can read this report or more detailed in this ECtHR communication. (photo: Ted Eytan/ Creative Commons)

BRUSSELS, 07 October 2021: The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council failed to adopt Conclusions on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. In their ongoing assault on LGBTIQ* children’s rights, Hungary and Poland vetoed said conclusions and blocked an opportunity to show commitment to positive legal developments for all children in all their diversity. Read a statement of the LGBTIQ* youth organisation IGLYO, NELFA fully endorses. (graphic: IGLYO)

COLOGNE, 04 October 2021: NELFA welcomes its new full member from Germany! It is the new rainbow family section of the queer network in North Rhine-Westphalia – Queeres Netzwerk NRW. The group’s goal is to empower rainbow families in the cities of the region but also in rural areas. Read more. (graphic: NELFA and Queeres Netzwerk NRW)

ZAGREB, 02-06 October 2021: We are very happy that our Erasmus+ project for rainbow families continued – after a long corona-break! Seven participants from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina took part at a training course “Strategic Management”, organised by NELFA’s partner “In Dialogue“! Read more. (photo: Daniel Martinovic)

VILNIUS, 29 September 2021: The National LGBT rights organisation LGL in Lithuania held an international conference – as part of the R.I.S.E. project with other activists from Latvia, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. The event addressed the legal and social issues of family diversity and the recognition of LGBTIQ* family rights. Read more. (photo: LGL)

BERN, 26 September 2021: Congratulations to Switzerland! A law granting full marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples has been accepted by almost two-thirds of citizens (64 %). The result makes the country the 30th worldwide with marriage equality. Read more. (photo: Keystone, Peter Schneider)

STRASBOURG, 17 September 2021: It’s another success für rainbow families! A lesbian mother was forced to give up custody rights because of her relationship to a woman after she got divorced from her husband. The European Court of Human Rights saw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. NELFA was partner in a third party intervention, together with FIDH, ICJ, KPH and ILGA-Europe. Read more. (photo: ECtHR)

BRUSSELS, 14 September 2021: In a resolution on the rights of LGBTIQ* persons in the EU (adopted with 387 votes in favour, 161 against and 123 abstaining), the European Parliament emphasises that these citizens should be able to fully exercise their rights, including the right to free movement. This is a historic success for NELFA after many years of raising awareness, sharing experiences and working on better rights for rainbow families! (photo: Robin van Lonkhuijsen, ANP/AFP)

STRASBOURG, 7 September 2021: The Council of Europe issued a new thematic factsheet focusing on the execution of ECHR judgments concerning the rights of LGBTIQ* persons. According to the European Court of Human Rights, the principle of non-discrimination is “fundamental” and underpins the Convention along with the rule of law and the values of tolerance and peace. Read more. (photo: Council of Europe)

VILNIUS, 6 September 2021: The lesbian author Neringa Dangvydė Macatė (who died in 2020) wrote a children’s book, entitled “Amber Heart“. It contains six stories, two of them are dealing with romantic relationships and marriages between persons of the same sex. Following a recommendation issued by the Lithuanian Inspectorate of Journalistic Ethics, the book was labelled as possibly harmful to children under 14 years of age. Now, the case has reached the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Read more. (photo: amberheart.lt)

STUTTGART, 1 September 2021: The German initiative “100 % Mensch” wants to publish a children’s book on diversity in the country and distribute it for free in Poland. The book “Hundemüde & hellwach” was written by author Lawrence Shimel, who is already well-known for his sweet rainbow family stories in many different languages. If you want to support the crowdfunding project, you can click here. (photos: 100 % Mensch)

BERN, 16 August 2021: In Switzerland, a referendum on 26th of September will decide on marriage equality and the access for lesbian couples to assisted reproductive techniques. Supporters organised a big wedding event to show the joy of diversity. Unfortunately, there is an ongiong ugly campaign against rainbow families and their rights. You can read an article about recent attacks and how the anti-movement (mis)uses pictures. (graphic: Swiss marriage equality campaign)

MOSCOW, 16 August 2021: A month after a Hungarian bookshop chain was fined for selling a children’s story (Lawrence Schimel) about a day in the life of two children with same-sex parents, the same picture book has been published in Russia – but with an “18+” label on it in deference to the country’s so-called “gay propaganda law”. Read more – in English and German. (photo: Lawrence Schimel)

COPENHAGEN, 12-22 August 2021: NELFA was official partner of WorldPride & Eurogames – Copenhagen 2021. It was an amazing time in Denmark, with many occasions for the Network and allies to present rainbow family topics. We took part in a Human Rights Conference, had our own Break Out Sessions and Søren Laursen from LGBT komiteen represented NELFA in the 1:1 Democracy festival. Highlight was the Renew Europe seminar “Securing access to all parents for children of LGBTI families“, especially with three young ambassadors from Spain (Galehi) and their own film. (photo: Copenhagen 2021)

PODGORICA, 25 July 2021: One year after the decision on the introduction of same-sex civil unions in Montenegro, the first lesbian couple celebrated its wedding in the city of Budva. The new law came into force on 15th July. Read more (in German). (photo: digitalsofia/unsplash)

BRUSSELS, 15 July 2021: The EU Commission is launching infringement procedures against Hungary and Poland related to the equality and the protection of fundamental rights. (1) Hungary: Banning LGBTIQ* content and book disclaimer. (2) Poland: ‘LGBT-ideology free zones’. Read the press release and statement by ILGA-Europe. (photo: Claudio Centonze)

BRUSSELS, 15 July 2021: This is a huge success for NELFA’s work! The European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions Committee called today EU Member States for upholding EU rights of rainbow families: (1) harmonisation needed for the recognition of marriages and partnerships; (2) full freedom of movement; (3) the Commission should take action against Romania, Hungary and Poland for rights issues and breaches of EU values. Read the full press release. (photo: EU)

MUNICH, 8 July 2021: The District Court just decided in favour of two mothers and their co-parenthood! Normally, they would need to undergo a stepchild adoption procedure in Germany. In this case, one mother has also British citizenship. And the court ruled after UK law and for the child’s best interest. Read more (in German). (photo: Canva)

BUDAPEST, 7 July 2021: Actually, Lawrence Schimel’s book “Early One Morning” is a nice story. It follows two children, both of whom have same-sex parents. However, authorities in Hungary fined the publisher (250,000 Forints) because it failed to “warn” parents about the “queer content”. The news went viral. You can read many articles or see videos – for example in Hungarian, German, French and English. (photo: pinknews.com)

STRASBOURG, 6 July 2021: In a landmark judgment, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favour of a trans woman in Moscow (case of A.M. and Others v. Russia) who was denied access to her children because of her gender identity and transition. The ECtHR unanimously found a violation of Article 8 (right to private and family life) and Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination). Read more. (photo: EPA-EFE/Patrick Seeger)

BERLIN, 1 July 2021: Good news from Germany for lesbian couples! Berlin will be the second federal state that sponsors fertility treatment, at least if medically indicated, for the second and third IVF/ICSI trial (after Rhineland-Palatinate in March 2021). Read more. (photo: koya979/depositphotos.com)

PARIS, 29 June 2021: The French Parliament approved the new bioethics law – including the access for lesbian couples and single women to assisted reproductive techniques. From now, both mothers can appear on the child’s birth certificate. Conditions: a previous statement with a notary and the okay by the intended birth mother (before entering into the ART process). Read more. (photo: Dominique Boren)

STOCKHOLM, 22 June 2021: The Swedish Parliament passed a law (for January 2022) which allows all those who are spouses of someone who gave birth to a child to be automatically recognised as a parent, ending discrimination against same-sex couples and trans people. However, presumed parenthood can be annulled if the child came into being via home insemination or assisted conception abroad with an unknown donor. Read more on our member RFSL‘s article. (photo: RFSL)

BRUSSELS, 24 June 2021: The European Parliament just adopted a landmark position on sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR). It’s about the first SRHR report in almost ten years. It highlights the importance of accessing all essential SRH services, including comprehensive sexuality education, contraception, abortion, maternal health and fertility services; and of preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence. Read the full report here. (photo: IPPF European Network)

VADUZ, 16 June 2021: The Supreme Court in Liechtenstein decided that the ban on (stepchild or second-parent) adoption for same-sex couples is unconstitutional. A gay man wanted to adopt his partner’s son – but this is/was forbidden according to the civil union law of the Principality. Read more (in German). (photo: wikimedia.org)

PRISTINA, 16 June 2021: The government of Kosovo has been working and developing its first ever Civil Code. And the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights is asking for inclusive efforts – means a recognition of rainbow families (in particular same-sex partnerships). We hope that this will happen in the future! Read more. (photo: imago)

BUDAPEST, 15 June 2021: Despite thousands of protesters, and a petition signed by more than 100,000 people, the Hungarian Parliament passed the propaganda law, thus banning LGBTIQ*-themed educational programs, products, and advertising for persons under 18 years of age. Read a press release of our member Háttér and an article. (photo: Háttér)

LYON, 11 June 2021: The television network euronews (author Ian Smith), headquatered in France, just published a very interesting article on rainbow families in Europe. We are very pleased that NELFA (Board members Eleni Maravelia, Björn Sieverding and individual member Alina Tryfonidou) were able to contribute!! Read more. (photo: Mark Boss/Unsplash)

BUDAPEST, 9 June 2021: NELFA is delighted by the decision of the audience in Hungary! Our member organisation Háttér Társaság and the rainbow family initiative Szivárványcsaládokért Alapítvány have won the civic price in 2021! It’s at least one good sign in between. Unfortunately, the government’s “crusade” (quote Háttér) against LGBTIQ* people is ongoing. Read the current press releases of our Hungarian member here. (photo: Háttér Society)

VIENNA, 7 June 2021: NELFA’s member organisation FAmOS in Austria participated at Vienna Pride 2021, i.e. with an online webinar on rainbow families. It you want to know more about the situation of LGBTIQ* parents and their children in Austria, have a look at the recorded session (in German). (photo: FAmOS)

STRASBOURG, 1 June 2021: We welcome today’s jugdement from the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Association Accept (supporting member of NELFA) and others vs. Romania. The case concerned a protest against a screening of a film involving a same-sex family in 2013. The protesters were carrying far-right paraphernalia and cinemagoers had been verbally abused. ILGA-Europe has issued a press release with further information. (photo: Council of Europe)

KARLSRUHE, 26 May 2021: NELFA’s supporting member organisation ILSE in Germany has an online format for discussions: Themen ILSE. This time, it was about “Rainbow Families in Europe”. LGBTIQ* parents from Zagreb and Prague shared their experiences and the NELFA Board gave an overview about the situation in Europe. Read more. (graphic: NELFA)

VILNIUS, 25 May 2021: Unfortunately, the Lithuanian Parliament voted against a courageous civil union bill (without adoption rights), in the middle of a controversial discussion in society. However, the majority was little (65 NO and 63 YES) and the activists and politicians behind this proposal are not devastated. NELFA ally and MP Tomas Raskevičius promised a new trial in autumn. Read more (in German) and in English. (photo: AP)

BERLIN, 17 May 2021: On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, TGEU launched an interactive version of its Trans Rights Map in English and Russian. It illustrates the legal situation of 49 countries in Europe and 5 in Central Asia. This year’s Trans Rights Map documents an alarming loss in rights when compared to 2020. In the section “family”, there are no changes. Read more. (graphic: TGEU)

BRUSSELS, 17 May 2021: ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Europe Map and Index, ranking the legal and policy situation of LGBTIQ* people in 49 European countries, finds that over the past 12 months advances in LGBTIQ* rights have come to almost a complete standstill. Changes for rainbow families: Civil unions in Monaco and Montenegro, assisted insemination also for single women in Norway. Read more. (graphic: ILGA-Europe)

BERLIN, 14 May 2021: NELFA celebrated the International Day of Families. This year, our German full member LSVD invited rainbow families to take part in a cosy online meeting. LGBTIQ* parents from Ireland, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Croatia and Germany explained their current situation. The event was moderated by LSVD Board member Alfonso Pantisano (in German and English). You can see it here. And ILGA-Europe published an additional article on the occasion. (graphic: Dugine obitelji)

BUDAPEST, 12 May 2021: A Hungarian magazine made wrong accusations against a gay couple and their child concerning the adoption procedure. Finally, a court decided in favour of the couple – thanks to the efforts of NELFA’s member organisation Háttér Society. Read more. (photo: Martón Pál)

ZAGREB, 5 May 2021: The Croatian Rainbow Families organisation Dugine obitelji shared amazing news. The Administration court in Zagreb on a non-discriminatory procedure in the adoption system. Means: same-sex couples should have the right to jointly apply for an adoption. NELFA Board member Daniel Martinovic says, this was a historic judgment. Read the press release (in Croatian). An English version will come soon. (photo: Dugine obitelji)

VILNIUS, 4 May 2021: A group of Liberal MPs (including NELFA ally Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius) have proposed legalising gender-neutral partnerships without a right to adopt children. It’s a first step in the right direction. Currently, Lithuanian laws do not recognise civil partnerships. Several previous attempts to legislate this fell through at an early stage of the parliamentary process. Read more. (photo: E. Blaževič/LRT)

GENEVA, 2 May 2021: The International Family Equality Day – #IFED2021 – was held once again all around the world. In record-breaking 214 cities in 67 countries, rainbow families, friends and allies joined forces to promote equal rights and celebrate the uniqueness of each family. Participating for the first time this year were Turkey, Vietnam, Latvia, Uzbekistan and Eritrea. Read more. (photo: IFED Network)

PRAGUE, 29 April 2021: The lower house of Parliament in the Czech Republic resumed debate on legalising same-sex marriages after a two-year break. The bill will be now discussed in the committees, a final vote is to be expected in autumn, after the general election in the country. Read more. The Intergroup on LGBTI Rights sent a letter of support. Read it here. And you can sign a corresponding All out campaign. (photo: All out)

BERN, 27 April 2021: Switzerland will hold a referendum on whether to push ahead with same-sex marriage. MPs adopted a bill recognising same-sex marriage in December. But opponents of the law have gathered the necessary signatures (61.000) to call for a referendum, the authorities confirmed. Activists are still confident, because public opinion backs marriage equality in the country. Read more. (photo: shutterstock)

LAUSANNE, 16 April 2021: The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland decided on a rainbow family case. A lesbian couple broke up and the biological mother didn’t want her partner to see the child again. But, the Court decided in favour of the second mother and in the best interests of the child. Read more (in German). (photo: Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien)

LUXEMBOURG, 15 April 2021: The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a very important opinion on a case of a rainbow family. According to this, Bulgaria must recognise familial ties that were established in Spain – at least for the purposes of free movement. This is an important step forward and a success for NELFA’s Board Member Denitsa Lyubenova! Read a joint press release of ILGA-Europe, Deystvie and NELFA here. (photo: Veneta Limberova)

BRUSSELS, 15 April 2021: The liberal political group in the European Parliament, Renew Europe, organised a webinar, entitled “Improving the rights of Rainbow Families across Europe”. It was organised by MEP Liesje Schreinemacher (VVD, The Netherlands) and Sandro Gozi (Renaissance). NELFA Board member Björn Sieverding contributed with a new presentation on current cross-border struggles within the EU. See more. (graphic: Renew Europe)

RIGA, 09 April 2021: The Constitutional Court in Latvia declared that the rule which requires a same-sex family partner to pay a higher state fee for the inheritance of the estate of their deceased partner than spouses pay, shall be abolished. Such an approach would not correspond to the State’s obligation to protect every family. Read more. (photo: LSM)

ATHENS, 08 April 2021: NELFA President Eleni Maravelia shared her expertise in a Greek capacity building seminar, conducted at the National Center for Welfare in Attica. It was entitled “Same-sex parenting for the best interests of the child”. Our supporting member in Greece, Oikogeneies Ouranio Tokso, contributed, too. Read more. (photo: Eleni Maravelia)

AMSTERDAM, 01 April 2021: Twenty years ago, at midnight, then-mayor Job Cohen married three gay couples and one lesbian couple in a joint ceremony at the City Hall in the Nethlands’ capital. Up until that point, same-sex couples could only enter into a registered partnership. In the picture, Jan van Breda (left) and his partner Thijs Timmermans cut the cake after their wedding. Read more. (photo: Evert Elzinga/AFP via Getty Images)

CORK, 31 March 2021: A lesbian couple in the second largest city in Ireland has become the first in the country to be officially recognized as co-parents of children. The occasion is a monumental point in history, as it marks a major step forward in the civil rights of those in the LGBTIQ* community. Read more. The initiative “Equality for children” has started a petition to fill the existing gaps, as pointed out by a children’s rights expert. Read more. (photo: Chandni Ganesh)

BRUSSELS, 24 March 2021: The EU has adopted the new Strategy on the Rights of the Child. It aims to protect and promote the rights of children and build the best possible life for them both in the European Union and across the world. NELFA contributed to the document with a joint submission. LGBTIQ* children and those living in rainbow families are mentioned several times in the Strategy, especially the obstacles in cross-border situations. (graphic: NELFA with EU, ILGA)

CELLE, 24 March 2021: It’s a good step forward for rainbow families in Germany! Lesbian couples still need to apply for a stepchild adoption to become jointly parents. A court in Celle (near Hannover) found that this is unconstitutional. Now, the Supreme Court in Karlsruhe (BverfG) has to decide. Read more. Only one day later, a similar decision came from Berlin. Read more (photo: NDR)

BRUSSELS, 22 March 2021: A new study reveals the current problems of rainbow families in EU cross-border situations. And it shows very clearly how the EU institutions should find solutions. Prof. Alina Tryfonidou and Prof. Robert Wintemute evaluated a questionnaire among Member States in summer 2020. The results are sobering. You can find the full study here and another NELFA summary of the key results. (graphic: NELFA)

POZNAN, 19 March 2021: NELFA’s member organisation Fundacja Tęczowe Rodziny in Poland organised a webinar in the framework of a rainbow families’ project. It was about the current legal situation of LGBTIQ* parents and their kids in Europe. The special focus was on the perspective of the children who still face discrimination. NELFA Board member Björn Sieverding gave his input on “Rainbow Families in Europe: Children’s Rights at Stake”. Afterwards, the participants discussed the situation. You can find the presentation here. (graphic: FTR)

STOCKHOLM, 18 March 2021: Good news from Sweden! Automatic co-parent-recognition through marital presumption – this is now law in the country. But there are remaining gaps for rainbow families and their parenthood rights, in particular for lesbian couples with medically assisted treatment abroad. Read the press release of NELFA’s member RFSL. (photo: RFSL)

VATICAN, 15 March 2021: The Catholic Church won’t bless a “sin”. Same-sex unions would be a “choice” and a “way of life” that cannot be recognised as “objectively ordered” to the plans of God. The Pope approved the decision by the CDF, saying it was “not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite”. However, priests i.e. in Germany want to continue blessing same-sex couples. Read more. (photo: BBC/Getty Images)

LJUBLJANA, 13 March 2021: NELFA stands with children’s books author Lawrence Shimel (Spain)! He faces homophobic attacks because of his stories about rainbow families. The Slovenian right-wing party DOM sees the need to boycott the books. We say: No censorship for the full diversity of families! LOVE IS LOVE and FAMILIES are FAMILIES. (photo: Lawrence Shimel)

BRUSSELS, 13 March 2021: NELFA just held its Annual General Meeting 2021 online. We welcome new Board members from Italy (Micaela Ghisleni, Margherita Leonelli, Famiglie Arcobaleno) and Malta (Christina Zammit La Rosa, MGRM) and say Good-bye to those who can’t continue (Giovanni Fantoni, Elaine Micallef, Giuseppina La Delfa)! In the picture: the AGM participants from all over Europe in support of the Hungarian initiative #acsaládazcsalád. (photo: Giovanni Fantoni)

BARCELONA, 12 March 2021: Several NELFA Board members were interviewed by Luca Tancredi Barone who works at Orgull Radio, an LGBTIQ* broadcaster. They talked about their home countries, the legal situation and the struggles for LGBTIQ* people and their families. You can listen to the podcasts here: Eleni Maravelia (FLG, Spain), Dominique Boren (apgl, France), Björn Sieverding (LSVD, Germany). (graphic: NELFA and Orgull Radio)

BRUSSELS, 11 March 2021: The European Parliament adopted the “Declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ* Freedom Zone! It’s a clear reaction on “LGBT-free zones” in Poland and worrying (legal) backlashes in other EU countries. Many thanks go to the EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights and their powerful campaign. NELFA also participated via social media. Read the Intergroup’s press release. (graphic: NELFA)

BUCHAREST, 9 March 2021: Romanian authorities continue violating their obligations under EU law by refusing to recognise right to freedom of movement and residence of same-sex spouse of an EU citizen. Adrian Coman an Claiburn Hamilton take their case (decided three years ago at the EU Court of Justice) to the European Court of Human Rights. Read the press release. (photo: ILGA-Europe)

BERLIN, 01 March 2021: In Germany’s capital, a second rainbow family centre has opened its doors for interested LGBTIQ* parents and children! It’s in the district of Lichtenberg and offers a range of services and seminars for people concerned. You can find the programme here. It’s organised by “LesbenLebenFamilie” and NELFA ally Constanze Körner. (graphic: LLF)

BUDAPEST, 28 February 2021: Hungary has changed its adoption rules. For (LGBTIQ*) singles, it will be more difficult to become parents. The minister will decide on cases, not professionals (…). However, the revived Foundation for Rainbow Families – Szivárványcsaládokért Alapítvány – has started a successful campaign to support LGBTIQ* parents and their children. Just paint your hand! And find more information via #acsaládazcsalád. (photo: Szivárványcsaládokért Alapítvány)

GENEVA/HELSINKI, 09 February 2021: It’s a success for long term efforts of our Finnish NELFA member Sateenkaariperheet ry. In a recent decision, the UN Comittee on the Rights of the Child underlines the primacy of the child’s best interests in an asylum case concerning a boy in a rainbow family from Russia! Finally, Finland will have to provide him with reparation. It’s the first time that the Comittee decided in a case like this. NELFA was also involved in a third party intervention. Read more in a official Finnish reaction and ILGA-World’s press release. (graphic: Sateenkaariperheet ry)

LUXEMBOURG, 09 February 2021: The European Court of Justice heard a very important case for rainbow families in EU cross-border situations and their free movement rights. It was about a same-sex couple who were refused a (Spanish) birth certificate in Bulgaria for their newborn daughter. Baby “Sara” is at risk to remain stateless. A decision is to be expected in spring (possibly March/April). NELFA Board member Denitsa Lyubenova is one of the lawyers of the couple. Read a press release issued by ILGA-Europe and endorsed by NELFA. You find additional material in our newsletter. (photo: Deystvie)

ROME, 29 January 2021: A couple with two children split up. And the non-biological mother can’t get visitation rights (in Italy) because of the non-recognition of the familial ties that were once certified in Spain. The Court of Cassation decided not to intervene (the matter has been declared inadmissible. This is worrying, because the rights of the child (to maintain a relationship to both of its parents) are infringed. Read more. (photo: wikipedia)

BRUSSELS, 17 January 2021: NELFA is still grateful for the new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, launched by the EU Commission. We just tried to summarise the main messages from the perspective of rainbow families. Read more. (graphic: NELFA)

RIGA, 14 January 2021: In Latvia, there are efforts to establish civil unions for same-sex couples. But at the same time, there are strong attempts to worsen the current situation. Today, the Parliament (Saeima) transferred to the Legal Affairs Commission a proposal to amend the Constitution, to stipulate that the concept of a ‘family’ is based on a union between a man and a woman. Read an article and a reaction of the EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights. (photo: Ekrānuzņēmums)

TALLINN, 14 January 2021: Good news from Riigikogu, the Estonian Parliament. A majority of the MPs voted against a controversial marriage referendum bill (49 NO, 29 YES). The question was if the term “marriage” should be used for unions between men and women only. This means, the referendum won’t take place in April. Read more. (Ken Mürk, ERR)

KOBLENZ, 14 January 2021: German historian Kirsten Plötz has published a new study about lesbian mothers in Rhineland Palatinate who lost their custody rights after their divorce. The Green Minister for Family Affairs, Anne Spiegel, apologised for the discrimination in 40 years. Read the more about the study and another article (in German). (graphic: Dr. Kirsten Plötz)

HILDESHEIM, 12 January 2021: A lesbian couple from Germany had filed a lawsuit because of the discrimination rainbow families face. While married heterosexual couples are automatically considered as legal parents, homosexual (lesbian) couples, respectively the non-biological partner, needs to undergo a stepchild adoption procedure. A court in Celle heard the case, but the couple concerned is ready to bring the case to the Constitutional Court. You can find further information via hashtag #PaulaHatZweiMamas or in this article. (graphic: Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte)

PRAGUE, 11 January 2021: The Constitutional Court does not recognise the adoptions of a gay couple (the men are from Czechia and Trinidad & Tobago). The two kids (American nationality) were adopted via court decision in New Jersey (USA). A regional court in Nymburk didn’t accept the ruling and this decision was now backed by the judges – because same-sex partners are not allowed to adopt children in the Czech Republic… Read more (in German). (photo: AdobeStock)

ZAGREB, 08 January 2021:  The recent verdict, delivered by the County Court, is a success for NELFA’s member Dugine obitelij. The group had filed a lawsuit against Vigilare for launching a petition called “Stop state television’s homo-propaganda. Let’s stop fake rainbows, let’s protect children and the family!”. Vigilare has to remove all discriminatory and disturbing content from their website within eight days. Read more. (photo: Josip Regovic, Pixsell)

BRUSSELS, 01 January 2021:  NELFA wishes ALL THE BEST for 2021!! We have experienced a weird corona year and the threat of the pandemic is ongoing. But, let’s stay optimistic and applaud for all the little steps forward. NELFA will be there for you to advance the rights of rainbow families! And there are some upcoming court decisions which could change a lot for LGBTIQ* parents and their children within the EU… well: Take care, stay healthy and feel embraced! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BERN, 19 December 2020: It’s an early Christmas present for the Swiss LGBTIQ* movement! The Parliament finally approved the marriage equality bill and we congratulate our friends at Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien, NELFA’s full member in Switzerland! There will be still a referendum before the law will come into effect. But this seems to be a matter of form. (photo: Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien)

BUCHAREST, 16 December 2020: NELFA welcomes the decision of the Constitutional Court of Romania, which ruled that the law prohibiting education about sex, gender and gender identity is unconstitutional. Read written comments (amicus) by ILGA-Europe, together with our supporting member Asociatia Accept and TGEU. (graphic: ILGA-Europe)

WARSAW, 10 December 2020: Foreign birth certificates stating two mothers are not valid in Poland. In several cases, children have remained stateless – at least for a while – due to this problem. But now, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg will examine the current legislative situation – with regard to free movement rights within the European Union. This is – in addition to a similar Bulgarian case – an amazing step forward! Read more in this article. (photo: www.rpo.gov.pl)

BERN, 09 December 2020: The Swiss National Council just approved the recent bill for marriage equality. The last parliamentary hurdle will be the vote in the Council of States on 18th of December. Then, the way for a referendum will be free. Read a press release of our NELFA member Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien. (photo: Dachverband RF)

PARIS, 04 December 2020: The National Assembly voted on new rules for adoptions. They will be open for non-married couples. Lesbian mothers will have an easier way to be legally recognised and family diversity will be strengthened in the general procedure. Read an article and a press release of our French member apgl. (photo: Juliane Liebermann/ Unsplash)

BERN, 01 December 2020: NELFA is pleased with the legal development in Switzerland. The Council of States just decided that marriage equality won’t need any constitutional amendments. This will avoid further delays for a new law. Read more. On 14th of November, a Commission of the Council already supported the possibility for lesbian couple to get access to fertility treatment in Switzerland (including legal parenthood). Read more. (photo: Getty Images)

BERLIN, 26 November 2020: NELFA Board member Björn Sieverding (LSVD) took part at a webinar, organised by the European Academy and the Foreign Ministry. It was entitled: “Europarat mit Tat” and it was about perspectives of LGBTIQ* families and their rights in the framework of the Council of Europe. NELFA offered a presentation (in German) that tried to summarise the current situation of rainbow families in Europe. (photo: LSVD)

GENEVA, 20 November 2020: The United Nations celebrate Children’s Day 2020 and – of course – rainbow families, too! NELFA reminds the need to ensure that children of LGBTIQ* parents should be treated equally to their peers. Therefore, we would like to share again our latest children’s rights presentation from May 2020. (photo: www.freepik.com)

BERLIN, 18-19 November 2020: NELFA was invited to a major digital conference of the German EU presidency – #lgbticonferenceberlin2020. President Eleni Maravelia and Board member Björn Sieverding contributed to the panel “Challenges and Steps Ahead: Towards the full recognition of Rainbow Families Across the European Union?”. Read more. (collage: NELFA)

BRUSSELS, 16 November 2020: NELFA is very happy to show the first winners of our drawing contest! These are the wonderful rainbow family artists from France, Poland and Spain! CONGRATULATIONS and have fun with your gender neutral dolls, sponsored by Mattel. Thank you for this opportunity to highlight the delight of family diversity! (collage: NELFA)

BRESCIA, 15 November 2020: Good news from Italy! The Brescia court decided on the recognition of co-motherhood, even the State doesn’t allow fertility treatment for same-sex couples abroad. The best interest of the child was the most important argument. The judgment is in opposition to Supreme Court rulings in April. Read more about the current situation (in Italian). (photo: www.gaypost.it)

BRAUNSCHWEIG, 13 November 2020: The Higher Regional Court in the German city just ruled in favour of a non-biological mother to see her two kids again. She has access rights after the separation of her partner, the biological mother, even against her will. Read more in this article. (photo: U.B. Esser/ wikipedia)

RIGA, 12 November 2020: The Constitutional Court in Latvia had received an appeal from a mother whose female partner was unable to receive the ten-day parental leave which, according to Labor Act, is to be granted to the child’s father. The Court said that the Constitution sets the state’s obligation to protect the family of same-sex partners as well. And it stressed that, in the case of legal relations concerning a child, his or her interests and rights are priority. Read more. (photo: George Frey/AFP)

BRUSSELS, 12 November 2020: NELFA President Eleni Maravelia took part at the official launch of the first-ever EU Commission’s LGBTIQ Equality strategy. It contains a range of proposals concerning rainbow families in cross-border situations, for example the review of the freedom of movement guidelines and a “horizontal legislative initiative” in 2022 for the mutual recognition of family relations within the EU. NELFA is impressed by the strong strategy and grateful to all people involved. At the same time, we perceived worrying news fro Hungary. Read NELFA’s press release. (photo: www.pes.eu)

BUDAPEST, 11 November 2020: Hungary’s government has proposed legislation that would essentially ban adoption by same-sex couples. The foreseen constitutional amendment says Hungary “protects children’s right to the gender identity they were born with,” and provides “education in accordance with the values based on Hungary’s constitutional identity and Christian culture.“. Read more here or here. (photo:Council of the European Union)

VILNIUS, 09 November: The new leading coalition in Lithuania with former Minister of Finances, Ingrida Simonyte, wants to introduce a new civil union law. The details are not clear yet, but the plan is to open this possibility for straight and same-sex couples. Lithuania is actually one of six EU countries that don’t have any LGBTIQ* partnership right. Read more in this German online article. (photo: Rokasdarulis/wikipedia)

MADRID, 06 November: The Spanish media platform “freeda” published a nice interview with Gabriel who is a young man raised by two gay dads. One of his fathers is NELFA’s Board member Jesús Santos Homobono (Galehi). Gabriel was already several times a real ambassador for rainbow families. Read and see more. (photo: freeda_es)

HAMBURG, 05 November: The German newspaper “Die Zeit” just published a very interesting map where exactely in the country, same-sex marriages were concluded. According to the study, Cologne is Germany’s top-address for LGBTIQ* wedding ceremonies – but there are also some surprising regions. Have a closer look here. (photo: Die Zeit)

BERLIN, 04 November: The German umbrella organisation for boys, male adults and fathers – Bundesforum Männer – just turned ten years old and published an anniversary brochure. NELFA Board member Björn Sieverding (LSVD) was invited to write an article about the struggles of gay daddies. Find the brochure here and the article here. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

VALETTA, 28 October: NELFA’s Maltese member MRGM reacted on articles in the newspaper “Times of Malta”. In an opinion piece the author stated that “homosexual acts are not only harmful to the individuals who engage in them but also to society at large”. And the day after, the newspaper tried to better the situation with an editorial – but it failed. Read more. (photo: MGRM)

BUCHAREST, 28 October: The EU Commission has started an infringement procedure against Romania because of the non-implementation of the Coman judgment from 2018 (the term “spouse” includes same-sex spouses under EU law). It’s a success of NELFA’s supporting member Asociatia Accept. Read more. (photo: Accept Romania)

VATICAN, 21 October: Pope Francis gave an interview for the documentary film “Francesco” (directed by Evgeny Afineevsky) and he made a historic quote regarding LGBTIQ* rights: “Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. […] What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.” Read more. (photo: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)

TALLINN, 19 October: The Estonian Greens have started a petition to amend the Family Act, to stop discrimination against LGBTIQ* couples and families. Goals are i.e. to achieve marriage equality (“union between two adults, regardless of their gender”) and equal treatment for same-sex parents. Within a month, the campaign collected more than 35.000 signatures. Read more. (photo: Mana Kaasik)

COPENHAGEN, 18 October: NELFA will be partner of Worldpride and Eurogames 2021 in the capital of Denmark. This will mean that rainbow families will be highlighted during the celebrations. The Board of NELFA is involved in the preparation of the programme. We will inform as soon as possible about further details. You can update yourself via the official Worldpride 21 Facebook page, including very nice pics and videos. (photo: Worldpride Copenhagen)

VENICE, 14 October: A court ruled in favour of a lesbian couple from Verona. Their two children will be recognised as siblings. According to (former) Italian law, the children would remain legal strangers, because they were born by different mothers and same-sex parenthood is not (directly) accepted. This is already the second time that a court ruled in that way. Read more. (photo: www.gay.it)

DUBLIN, 07 October: An Irish lesbian couple who conceived through Reciprocal IVF have today become the first to receive their declaration of parentage by the State in Bray District Court. Ranae von Meding, CEO of Equality For Children, shared, “This will come as a huge relief to those who have become parents to their children through this method of Assisted Human Reproduction. It is one more family who finally have security and recognition for their children.” Read more. (photo: www.gcn.ie)

SOFIA, 07 October: NELFA Board member Denitsa Lyubenova informed the community about a new case of a stateless Bulgarian child, born in Spain. The Court in Sofia didn’t recognise the Spanish birth certificate stating two mothers. The case itself is sad, but NELFA’s member organisation Deystvie was able to get some questions referred to the European Court of Justice. It will be the first time that the EU court in Luxemburg decides on familial ties of LGBTIQ* parents and their children in a cross-border situation. We consider this as a huge step forward! Read a factsheet of the case. (photo: Deystvie)

BRUSSELS, 07 October: NELFA and the LGBTIQ* petition platform All Out just published a relaunch of their campaign “freedom of movement for rainbow families” – after EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s major statement concerning the mutual recognition of familial ties in her latest State of the Union. The campaign is now also available in other languages: German, Italian, French and Spanish. (collage: All Out)

BRUSSELS, 03 October: COFACE Families Europe just issued its newsletter and this time, NELFA Bord Member Björn Sieverding (LSVD) contributed with a commentary on the recognition of rainbow families in the EU. NELFA is supporting member of COFACE. You can find the article here. (photo: COFACE)

MOSCOW, 02 October: Russian authorities have warned of the arrest of gay men who have fathered children to surrogate mothers. Commenting on a long-running criminal case to state media, a source in the country’s Investigative Committee equated LGBTIQ* surrogacy to baby trafficking. It was an offence for men with “non-traditional orientation” to provide sperm for in vitro fertilisation, the source asserted. Read more in this article. (photo: AFP via Getty Images)

BRUSSELS, 29 September: NELFA has started a drawing competition for its membership. Every rainbow family organisation is invited to find its winners and send the scanned pictures by October 25th via email to: info@nelfa.org. The prizes are Creatable World Dolls – donated by Mattel. The drawings will be sent to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission to thank her for her recent support for rainbow families in cross-border situations! (collage: NELFA)

BRUSSELS, 29 September: NELFA took part in the 13th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, which was held online until 1st of October 2020. In panel debates and workshops on inclusive education or fundamental rights, also LGBTIQ* issues were discussed. NELFA provided its expertise and will do it in the process of developing the EU #ChildGuarantee and the LGBTI equality strategy. (graphic: EU Commission)

BRUSSELS, 17 September 2020: NELFA, is lastingly impressed by the recent State of the Union speech of Commission President in Strasbourg and her clear support for the LGBTIQ* community, especially in Poland. Particularly, Ursula von der Leyen said, “The Commission will soon put forward a strategy to strengthen LGBTQI rights. As part of this, I will also push for mutual recognition of family relations in the EU. If you are a parent in one country, you are a parent in every country.” For the first time, a President of the EU Commission takes a clear stance on rainbow families and their legal recognition in all Member States. NELFA takes note of this important remark with great satisfaction. Read our press release. And you can find some current cases of rainbow families in cross-border struggles and background information. (graphic: NELFA)

COPENHAGEN, 11 September 2020: NELFA has a new full member from Denmark – LGBT komiteen! It’s a lobby organisation and the committee itself currently consists of three long-term LGBT activists: Tina Thranesen, Martin Iversen Christensen and Søren Laursen. Most recently, on 22nd of August, LGBT komiteen informed about historic legislation initiatives, launched by the government. For example: same-sex parents with children conceived at home can be recognised automatically upon birth and trans parents will be recognised according to their gender. (graphic: LGBT komiteen)

BRUSSELS, 01 September 2020: NELFA has applied successfully for new Erasmus+ project. It is entitled “Rainbow Families 2020 – Together For a Better Future” and is dedicated to the empowerment of NELFA, to strengthen its educational activities for the well-being of rainbow families in a (possibly) non-welcoming environment. Partners of this project will be the consultancy “In Dialogue” and our Croatian full member “Dugine obitelji“. More info soon here. (graphic: NELFA)

BUCHAREST, 14 August 2020: There is a new trial to define the term “family” in the Romanian Constitution as connection between man and woman (by ignoring existing diversity: from single parents with kids up to rainbow families). A referendum in 2018 failed, now it’s obviously a group of politicians that ignores all hard-won progress and started a legislative initiative against diversity. NELFA’s supporting member Accept Romania says the only intention would be to seed hate against LGBTIQ*.

GERMANY, 14 August 2020: Finally, good news from Germany. A new (long-expected) bill – announced by the Minister of Justice, Christine Lambrecht (SPD) – wants equality for lesbian couples with children! They should be recognised as legal mothers from birth of their child – an adoption won’t be necessary anymore. The bill will be now discussed in the government. Read more. (photo: Westend61/Imago Images)

BERN, 12 August 2020: The Council of States in Switzerland needs more time to review the marriage equality bill – the final decision is to be expected in winter (and not in autumn as planned). LGBTIQ* activists have reacted with disappointment. But they are still confident that there will be a sustainable law in the end. Read more. (photo: Jean-Baptiste Burbaud)

WARSAW, 08 August 2020: NELFA stands with nonbinary activist Margot Szutowicz who has been placed in pretrial detention, in the latest example of Polish authorities’ anti-LGBTIQ* actions. Forty-eight other people, from a crowd of supporters, were also briefly detained, insulted and humiliated. Read more and see some pictures. Our NELFA member FTR in Poznań experiences an increasing number of hate crime incidents, also against members of rainbow families. We sharply condemn any kind of hostile comments and actions against the entire LGBTIQ* community. (photo: Rafał Milach)

PRAGUE, 03 August 2020: The marriage equality campaign in the Czech Republic is in a sort of holding pattern. The Parliament had this topic already on the agenda, but a final vote is still missing. Meanwhile, the initiative jsme fér has started an online petition campaign. You can see a video with campaign leader Czeslaw Walek here. (photo: jsme fér)

PARIS, 01 August 2020: It’s still not law – but a good step forward… the National Assembly adopted the bioethics bill, the flagship measure of which is the opening of medically assisted procreation (PMA) to all women (means: also singles and lesbian couples). The Senate will discuss the bill most probably at the end of the year. Read more. (photo: web24.news)

GDANSK, 29 July 2020: NELFA is happy with Azara and her Polish mothers from Mallorca. For a long time, the girl remained stateless (see NELFA’s All Out campaign). The reason is that Poland doesn’t recognise any foreign birth certificate stating joint motherhood. Azara couldn’t get citizenship and a social security number (PESEL). But, after months of struggles and many efforts of LGBTIQ* activists and lawyers, the city of Gdansk issued at least a PESEL. Read more. (photo: Alena Shumchyk)

WARSAW, 13 July 2020: Poland’s presidential election has been won by Andrzej Duda who is backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS). The anti-LGBTIQ* politician said in his campaign that he aims to add a ban on adoptions by same-sex couples to the Constitution. Quote: “To guarantee the safety and a correct education for children, and for the Polish state to safeguard their rights, I think there should be such a provision”. Read more here. (photo: Reuters)

DUBLIN, 09 July 2020: Jenna and Mary are among the first Irish same-sex couples to both be legally recognised as the parents of their child. The commencement of parts Two and Three of the Child and Family Relationships Act has given the courts jurisdiction to make retrospective declarations of parentage for children born through donor-assisted human reproduction prior to May 4 2020. At the moment, this only covers certain families. Read more. Another recent article describes the problems many Irish families still face. (photo: gcn.ie)

GENEVA, 07 July 2020: The Global Interfaith Network had invited to a very interesting webinar, entitled “The Respect and Recognition of Diverse Families in Times of a Global Pandemic”, with former NELFA President Maria von Känel and Moderator Caroline Ausserer (who was NELFA Board member, too). See it here. (graphic: Global Interfaith Network) 

BRUSSELS, 07 July 2020: NELFA held a webinar to explain how EU citizens – respectively rainbow families and LGBTIQ* organisations – can submit a petition to the European Parliament. The webinar is part of a broader campaign to accompany a recent survey among EU Member States about freedom of movement struggles for LGBTIQ* parents and their children. The aim is to push the EP’s Committee on Petitions to take care of this topic. Read the full NELFA presentation. (graphic: NELFA)

BARCELONA, 06 July 2020: NELFA President Eleni Maravelia (FLG) informed about the difficult “freedom of movement” for rainbow families within the EU and why NELFA is lobbying for solutions. The Catalan Pride Radio “ORGULL” broadcasted an interesting interview. It was entitled: “Problemes per viatjar a Europa si ets família LGBT”. (photo: orgull.cat)

STRASBOURG, 06 July 2020: The European Court of Human Rights just informed the Polish government about official complaints concerning the non-recognition of same-sex partnerships and marriages in the country. A good step forward – in difficult times. One case is about a gay couple. They decided to get married in Spain, but the authorities of one partner’s home country Poland rejected the request to issue a necessary document. Read more. (photo: kph.org.pl)

ZAGREB, 5 July 2020: The capital of Croatia experienced its first Pride Ride event. An intense celebration of LGBTIQ* rights with the necessary social distance in these corona times.Around 500 people on bikes took part, inter alia activists of NELFA’s member Dugine obitelji. You can find a range of very nice impressions in this gallery. (photo: Ponosni Zagreb)

BERLIN, 3 July 2020: The Federal Council in Germany has rejected a law that would worsen the situation of families with two mothers. It’s about new adoption rules and mandatory consultations. As long as two mothers cannot become legal parents from birth, the new rules would mean an additional burden. NELFA’s member LSVD issued a press release. (photo: LSVD)

MOSCOW, 2 July 2020: NELFA is sad about the recent political development in Russia. Nearly three-quarters of voters have opted to back an amended constitution that reinforces a ban on same-sex marriage… and enables President Putin to stay in power until he is 83. Read more in this article. (photo: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

PODGORICA, 1 July 2020: Great news come from Montenegro – where partnership legislation passed with a vote of 42 for and only 5 against. The country is now the first one from the Balkan region EU accession countries to recognise same-sex couples. The bill was first rejected in August 2019 after being met with strong resistance by the Serbian Orthodox Church, the largest religious community in the country. Read more. (graphic: OutRight Action International)

AMSTERDAM, 30 June 2020: The Second Chamber in the Netherlands voted for an amendment in article one of the constitution (Grondwet) to anchor LGBTIQ* rights for the future. The organisation COC Nederland fought more than 20 years for this change. The bill was already prepared in 2010 and it will still take a while until the amendment can be approved (to be expected in 2021). Read more here [in Dutch]. (photo: COC Nederland)

BARCELONA, 28 June 2020: NELFA’s full member organisation FLG celebrated its Family Pride 2020. Although the coronacrisis made the event very difficult, many rainbow families came (with their masks!) and perpuated themselves in a big, colourful poster with drawings and pictures. You can find a range of photos in this FLG gallery. (photo: Eleni Maravelia)

BRUSSELS, 27 June 2020: 57 million internet users took part in Global Pride 2020. The online event was a replacement for many Pride parades that couldn’t take place due to the coronacrisis. In celebration of Global Pride, ILGA launched its World Map on Sexual Orientation in 20 languages. Read more here. For rainbow families, there are still many legal gaps – a day before Global Pride, Brussels Times had published a corresponding testimony of Dan Sobovitz. (photo: Global Pride)

BRUSSELS, 15 June 2020: NELFA has published a new tool concerning the freedom of movement of LGBTIQ* people (with children) and the complaint procedure in the EU. Our main aim is to encourage rainbow families to bring their cross-border struggles to EU level, to raise awareness and to find solutions. NELFA currently asks its membership to petition the European Parliament. Our Spanish member FLG just issued such a complaint. Read more in our section legal service. (graphic: NELFA)

ROME, 11 June 2020: Some years ago, a group of close friends in Italy have decided to found Boundless Rainbow Love, a thematic LGBTIQ* page that addresses issues such as disability and gender equality. This time, writer Katya Parente interviewed NELFA Board member Björn Sieverding about the Network’s advocacy efforts at EU level. Read more (in Italian). (photo: Boundless Rainbow Love)

BERN, 11 June 2020: It’s an important step forward concerning marriage equality in Switzerland! The National Council (a chamber of the Parliament) has voted for same-sex marriages and an equal access to fertility treatment for lesbian couples! The next important decision will take place in the second chamber, the Swiss Council of States. Read more. (photo: parl.ch)

WARSAW, 10 June 2020: The election campaign of President Duda in Poland has started and it includes an anti-LGBTIQ* narrative. Duda wants to be re-elected with an agenda “to defend the children from LGBT ideology” in education. His “Family Charter” sees marriage as union between men and women only and excludes same-sex couples from adoption. Read more. (photo: G. Jakubowski/KPRP)

MOSCOW, 08 June 2020: Since some days, a homophobic video goes viral. It’s about a fake “gay adoption” to promote the planned same-sex marriage ban in Russia. Read more. In the meantime, YouTube blocked the TV commercial because of hate speech. But you can still find it, i.e. in this German article. And we share this twitter flashmob of artists who redesigned the rainbow family – with love, joy and pride! (photo: LGBT discussion group on Facebook)

BRUSSELS, 05 June 2020: Two years ago, Adrian Coman and Claibourn Hamilton made LGBTIQ* history. The European Court of Justice ruled in their favour, same-sex spouses are covered by the freedom of movement Directive. However, Romania still has problems to implement the Coman jugdment and many legal gaps for rainbow families in the EU remain. The EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights urges the EU Commission to take action. Read more. (photo: Accept Romania)

BRUSSELS, 01 June 2020: Within the last month, major studies were published – by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), ILGA-Europe, Transgender Europe and the EU Commission. They are all related to rainbow families and their rights. NELFA tried to summarise the main results and to give some added value. You can find our new overview here. (graphic: NELFA)

RIGA, 01 June 2020: Good news from Latvia! For the first time, the Social and Employment Matters Committee of the Parliament has decided to start an official consultation into the drafting of an (LGBT) life spouse partnerships bill, which will take place over the summer. Latvia is still one of six countries within the European Union without any recognition for same-sex partners. Read more (in Latvian). (photo: delfi.lv, Saeimas administracija)

PARIS, 30 May 2020: Deputies, organisations, lawyers, doctors and other public figures have started a joint call for a new bioethics law debate from September. The discussions in the Parliament about fertility treatment for single women and lesbian couples were postponed due to the coronacrisis. Before the calendar got mixed up, the law was expected to be adopted in May 2020. Read more (in French). (photo: AFP).

BERLIN, 28 May 2020: The German Parliament (Bundestag) just decided on new rules for adoption procedures. There will be more mandatory consultations. Unfortunately, it deepens the discrimination of rainbow families: For lesbian couples with children it’s already a burden to undergo a stepchild adoption to become legal parents. With the new law it becomes more difficult. Read more about the debate and reactions of activists (in German). (photo: Bundestag)

OSLO, 26 May 2020: The Parliament in Norway just decided to allow egg donation and assisted insemination for single women. The decision in Storting took place after an unusual alliance of three opposition parties. Assisted reproductive techniques were already available for (same-sex) couples. Read more (in Norwegian). (photo: Havard Gronli, NRK)

DUBLIN, 23 May 2020: Ireland’s LGBTIQ* community  is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the successful Marriage Equality referendum – the first one in the world. Voters were asked whether to add to the Constitution that “marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex”. The proposal was approved by more than 62 % of voters. You find some nice photos under #MarRefMemories. (photo: GCN)

BUDAPEST, 19 May 2020: The Hungarian Parliament overwhelmingly voted to end legal gender recognition for trans people. Article 33 was ballooned into power, the latest legislation sworn in under Prime Minister Orbán’s emergency power measures (due to the coronacrisis). It stipulates that gender should be defined as “biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes”. This tramples the rights of trans and intersex people. Read more. (photo: Riccardo Pareggiani, NurPhoto)

BRUSSELS, 15 May 2020: NELFA celebrates the International Day of Families. The COVID-19 pandemic brings into sharp focus the importance of investing in social policies protecting the most vulnerable individuals and families. The UN state, “It is the families who bear the brunt of the crisis, sheltering their members from harm, caring for out of school children and at the same time continuing their work responsibilities”. Watch a nice video of our member FLG. (graphic: NELFA members)

BRUSSELS, 14 May 2020: In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map 2020 shows we have come to a pivotal moment for LGBTI people’s human rights. There has been no positive change in 49% of countries. Countries are still moving backwards, as existing protections are disappearing. And: There were only a few positive changes for rainbow families. Read ILGA’s press release, the Rainbow Map and the Index. (graphic: ILGA-Europe)

VIENNA, 14 May 2020: The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, FRA, just published its long expected second LGBTI survey report. It is entitled “A long way to go for LGBTI equality”. With 140,000 respondents, it is the largest ever survey on hate crime and discrimination against LGBTI people. 14 % of those questioned raise children.Unfortunately, the results for rainbow families are based on a small number of responses and therefore statistically less reliable. Read FRA’s press release and watch a corresponding video.  (graphic: FRA)

LONDON, 07 May 2020: NELFA Board members took part at a webinar of the European Network on Statelessness (ENS) and the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Children’s Rights. It was entitled “Birth registration and the prevention of statelessness in Europe”. Regularly, NELFA raises awareness of certain cases with stateless children because of the non-recognition of birth certificates stating two mothers. Find some shared documents during the webinar: A study of the Council on Refugees and Exiles, an ENS briefing paper and the statelessness index. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

BRUSSELS, 05 May 2020: Finland is preparing a new Parental law and the government could be a real trendsetter – with a comprehensive multi-parenting law. Together with ILGA-Europe we wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sanna Marin to address the needs of rainbow families in the new law. NELFA’s national member Sateenkaariperheet ry in Helsinki issued a corresponding press release. In the Netherlands, a promising bill was watered down last summer. Actually, the government collects online comments. (graphic: Sateenkaariperheet ry)

DUBLIN, 04 May 2020: From today, many lesbian couples in Ireland get joint parenthood when they become mothers. The final parts of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 come into force. But who will be covered by the law and what steps are involved in obtaining legal parental recognition? NELFA’s member organisation LGBT Ireland gives the necessary insights. (graphic: LGBT Ireland)

GENEVA, 03 May 2020: The International Family Equaity Day was celebrated in 62 countries and 152 towns. NELFA members from all over Europe contributed with nice films, photos, drawings (especially family trees). The EP’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights issued a statement. This year’s motto was “Family Diversity in Education”. You can find a lot of input in social media with the hastag #IFED2020. (collage: NELFA – with contributions from Spain, Germany, Hungary and Belgium)

BRUSSELS, 30 April 2020: How to start a complaint for breach of EU law? How to raise awareness about cross-border problems of a rainbow family? This was discussed during a webinar with ILGA-Europe and high-level legal experts, i.e. from France, Romania, UK, and the EU Commission. NELFA took part with several Board members. You can already find some useful advice here and on ou legal service webpage. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

ZAGREB, 29 April 2020: The Croatian Rainbow Family Organisation Dugine obitelji (with NELFA Secretary Daniel Martinovic) met up with President Zoran Milanović to discuss recent LGBTIQ* topics and how to advance rainbow family rights together. One hot potato in the country is the question of LGBTIQ* foster care. See a recent film of the German public broadcaster ZDF about the couple concerned, Ivo+Mladen. Another ZDF-report on “Jane – My rainbow family” was published on Croatian TV. Religious extremists tried to avoid this via a petition. (photo: www.predsjednik.hr)

PARIS, 28 April 2020: Reportedly, a French-Tunesian gay couple were able to get their marriage recognised in the North African country and mentioned on the Tunisian man’s birth certificate – as is customary – according to the LGBTIQ* organisation Shams. However, the government in Tunis has immediately denied the recognition. Homosexuality is illegal in Tunisia and punishable with up to three years in prison. Read more in this article. (photo: Shutterstock)

BELGRADE, 23 April 2020: NELFA’s full member ERA (the LGBTI Equal Rights Association) is an umbrella organisation for Western Balkans and Turkey. A lot of governments in the regions still don’t care too much, but the rainbow families movement is gaining momentum. ERA is highlighting the topic in April 2020 and just published a special edition of their newsletter concerning LGBTIQ* parenting. Read it here. (photo: Dugine obitelji)

BRUSSELS, 23 April 2020: Despite the current corona-challenges, the International Family Equality Day (IFED) will be celebrated on the 3rd of May 2020. The motto is “Family Diversity in Education”. Like in the past, all (rainbow) families are invited to take part and… to take action! The IFED Network in Geneva is collecting inclusive educational material and encourages rainbow families to send pictures and drawings of family trees and/or other colourful pictures. More information in NELFA’s current Facebook notice. (graphic: NELFA/IFED Network)

HELSINKI, 20 April 2020: Same-sex marriages and joint adoptions are possible in Finland since 2017. Three years later, the first same-sex adoptions have taken place. According to NELFA’s full member Sateenkaariperheet ry, a female couple and a male couple have both adopted infants in the capital city region. In Finland, thos decisions are made by a special working group and this procedure can take several years. Read more. (photo: newsnowfinland.fi)

WARSAW, 16 April 2020: Polish MPs have voted to delay two bills that – if approved – would have further restricted access to abortion and ban sex education. The controversial pieces of legislation are now sent back to committee stage. The sex education bill would impose a penalty of up to three years in prison for teachers who provide sex education to children. Supporters had stated that sex education would “familiarise” children with homsexuality and would be used by the “LGBT lobby” to achieve “radical goals” like gay adoption. Read more. (photo: Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty)

SARAJEVO, 16 April 2020: Bosnia and Herzegovina takes first small steps towards recognising same-sex relationships. The so-called Federation, one of the country’s semi-autonomous political entities, will obviously draft legislation to regulate the rights of LGBTIQ* couples – for the first time. The procedure includes also a meeting with rainbow activists. Read more. (photo: Elvis Barukcic/AFP via Getty)

POZNAN, 06 April 2020: After the cancellation of NELFA’s Annual General Meeting (due to the coronavirus) the Board remains hopeful. New date for our weekend in Poland with seminar, film show, and the meeting with local rainbow families is now 25-27th of September 2020. Organiser is Fundacja Tęczowe Rodziny (FTR) and this is the program. (graphic: NELFA)

BRUSSELS, 02 April 2020: NELFA just co-signed a letter of the US-NGO Men Having Babies (MHB). It was sent to relevant Congress and Senate members and raises awareness of rainbow families in dramatic situations due to the corona-crises. National restrictions (i.e. in the USA) prevent them from travelling or from taking care of their newborn children (through surrogacy). Read the full letter here. NELFA issued a communiqué with details in late March. (photo: Getty Images)

BRUSSELS, 28 March 2020: NELFA has a new Board! Today, the Annual General Meeting took place online – due to the coronavirus. We have now 12 Board Members from nine countries. Eleni Maravelia (Spain) remains President. Vice President is now Dominique Boren (France), Christoph R. Alms (Germany) is elected Treasurer and Daniel Martinovic (Croatia) will continue as Secretary of the Board. All AGM documents were approved with a vast majority. (photo: Giovanni Fantoni)

BRUSSELS,  23 March 2020: The coronavirus pandemic leaves (rainbow) families in dramatic cross-border situations. Dozens of singles and couples (with medical fertility treatment abroad or conducting surrogacy journeys out of Europe) experience critical times because of current restrictions. NELFA tries to raise awareness of these struggles and issued a communiqué with details. In the meantime, gaystarnews and pinknews have reported on the facts and the US American organisation Men Having Babies MHB offers a new webpage with help. (graphic: NELFA)

ANDORRA LA VELLA,  20 March 2020: The ruling government of the small country has drafted a bill that would also recognise same-sex marriage. Its likely to become law in summer. LGBTIQ* people have already the possibility to enter a civil union (since 2014), even joint adoption is already possible. Read more. (graphic: Getty Images)

BRUSSELS, 20 March 2020: It’s a great development at EU level for rainbow families in cross-border situations! The EP’s Intergroups on LGBTI Rights and Children’s Rights just joined forces and issued a common letter to Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli (with support from NELFA!). More than 60 MEPs call for a better recognition of LGBTIQ* parents and their children whenever they exercice their freedom of movement within the EU. Read the full letter here. (graphic: NELFA)

BRUSSELS, 12 March 2020: Due to the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing restrictions across Europe, the NELFA Board decided to cancel the upcoming rainbow families weekend in Poznań, Poland (27-29 March 2020). Seminar, film and local families gathering will be postponed, possible alternative date is 25-27 September 2020, but we still need to confirm this. The Annual General Meeting on 28th of March will be held online! Members will be informed separately with further details. Read more. (graphic: NELFA)

FRANKFURT, 06-08 March 2020: Several NELFA (Board) members joined the 3rd edition of the Euro LGBT Family Law Institute meeting. It was a wonderful occasion for an exchange of current struggles and future ideas how to advance the rights of LGBTIQ* people and their families. 16 legal experts from many European countries (and the USA) attended the meeting in the German banking hub, some followed the discussions online. NELFA thanks Diana Adams for the organisation of this yearly highlight and is grateful to all participants for their bravery! (photo: Diana Adams)

STOCKHOLM, 28 February 2020: Good news from Sweden! The government will examine until June 2021 how rainbow families – who were already established abroad – can be fully recognised, without a new adoption procedure that is currently necessary in some cases. An important step towards freedom of movement!! Read more (in Swedish).(photo: sverigesradio.se)

IMOTSKI, 23 February 2020: At a carnival event in the Croatian city (Bavoka povorka), an effigy of a same-sex couple holding a child was burned at the ceremony to widespread cheers. Many people condemned this action afterwards, politicians have already announced to file a criminal complaint against the organisers (Read more). NELFA is also very worried about this incident and will write a letter to the Permanent Representation of Croatia to the EU in Brussels. (photo: rtl.hr)

BUDAPEST, 20 February 2020: Hungarian’s Prime Minister Victor Orban just issued a memorandum for the European People’s Party (EPP) to fight i.e. marriage equality. He states, “We gave up the family model based on matrimony of one woman and one man, and fell into the arms of gender ideology”. Political scientist Rémy Bonny (Belgium) warns for the impact of this call. Read more. (photo: remybonny.com)

STUTTGART, 19 February 2020: A broad alliance of more than 40 organisations demonstrated against a symposium of the anti-LGBTIQ* movement “Demo für Alle”. Several speakers called on equal rights for rainbow families and promoted diversity. Read a summary of the event here. (photo: Beobachter News)

BRUSSELS, 17 February 2020: NELFA Board member Giuseppina La Delfa (Famiglie Arcobaleno) took part at a conference that was organised by the EU Commission. It was entitled “Preparatory action for a Child Guarantee” and gave an opportunity to discuss with stakeholders the findings of the feasibility study for a so-called Child Guarantee. In a 2015 resolution on reducing inequalities with a special focus on child poverty, the European Parliament called on the Commission and Member States to introduce such an instrument. (photo: EU Commission via flickr.com)

CARRICKFERGUS, 11 February 2020: Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards of Belfast made history by getting married – the first same-sex couple in Northern Ireland. The day marks their sixth anniversary as a couple and they had booked a civil partnership ceremony already months before the legislation was passed last summer. When it became clear the first marriages could take place, they changed their ceremony to a wedding. Read more. (photo: Mark Marlow/EPA)

WARSAW, 11 February 2020: There are again sad news from Poland. The Supreme Administration Court (NSA) just confirmed that it is impossible to transcribe a foreign birth certificate stating two mothers. Activists and legal experts hope that LGBTIQ* friendly city offices will enable citizenship and health care for the children concerned – regardless the recent decision. Read more in this article (in Polish). (photo: Dawid Żuchowicz, Agencja Gazeta)

ZURICH, 10 February 2020: Voters in Switzerland have backed a new law to ban homophobia, in a landmark moment for the country’s LGBTIQ* community (Read more). NELFA’s member organisation Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien hopes that this decision will push the current marriage equality campaign and the inclusion of further rights (access to assisted insemination and joint parenthood rights for lesbian couples from birth). Read more. (photo: Dachverband Regenbogenfamilien)

BRUSSELS, 09 February 2020: NELFA took part at the Annual General Meeting of it’s Belgian member organisation Homoparentalités. The group plays a special role for the Network because it’s based in Brussels, means close by the EU institutions. Homoparentalités decided to send a candidate for the NELFA Board election in March. Besides this, a nice children’s programme was organised – for example a book reading with a drag queen from Liège. (photo: Björn Sieverding)

ZAGREB, 07 February 2020: It’s a whirl situation in Croatia concerning foster care possibilities for registered same-sex partners. Only a few days after the refusal of the Social Welfare Centre in Zagreb to accept a gay couple as possible foster parents (Mladen Kožić and Ivo Šegota), the Constitutional Court has finally clarified: same-sex couples have the right to apply jointly to provide foster care. Read more (photo: Dugine obitelji)

BELFAST, 06 February 2020: Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples will be the first couple to take advantage of Northern Ireland legalising same-sex marriages next week. The couple announced the news at a press conference with the Love Equality campaign who helped to change the law. Read more. (photo: out.com, Getty Images)