On 12 September 2025 in Malta, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe hosted a dedicated conference on rainbow families, marking an important step for visibility, dialogue, and rights at the European level. NELFA took part in the discussions and stands ready to support continued work to strengthen the rights of rainbow families across Europe.
Holding a dedicated Council of Europe conference on rainbow families matters. It sends a clear signal that our families exist, that our rights are part of the human rights framework, and that public institutions can and should engage seriously with the realities we face. Visibility at this level helps shift debates from ideology to lived experience, law, and evidence.
NELFA took part in the conference as an invited guest. Daniel Martinović, President of NELFA, and Ivana Svalina, NELFA Treasurer, represented the network. Daniel contributed to one of the panel discussions, sharing NELFA’s perspective on the legal uncertainty, discrimination, and cross-border obstacles that many rainbow families continue to face in Europe today. The discussion also highlighted resilience, strategic litigation, and the power of coordinated advocacy.
We welcome this conference as an important step forward. We also hope it is not a one-off moment, but the beginning of sustained engagement by Council of Europe bodies and member states on the rights of rainbow families. Progress requires continuity, political courage, and close cooperation with civil society.
NELFA stands ready to support institutions, policymakers, and partners who want to improve the legal recognition, protection, and everyday lives of rainbow families across Europe. Our network brings expertise, lived experience, and a strong commitment to constructive dialogue and concrete change.
More information about the conference, including photos from the event, is available here:
https://pace.coe.int/en/pages/conferencerainbowfamilies
