Vilnius, Lithuania – October 22–26, 2025
NELFA (Network of European LGBTIQ* Families Associations) proudly took part in the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference 2025, held this year in Vilnius under the theme “Face Forward.”
The conference brought together over 400 activists and allies from across Europe and Central Asia to discuss strategies for strengthening LGBTIQ* rights in a context of rising anti-gender movements, democratic backsliding, and increasing attacks on families.
NELFA’s contribution
NELFA ensured that rainbow families’ voices were visible and heard throughout the event — highlighting urgent issues such as legal recognition of parenthood, child protection, and the wide-ranging impact of discriminatory policies on family life. NELFA representatives actively participated in numerous sessions, contributing expertise and lived experience to panels and workshops.
In addition to attending networking meetings and strategic planning spaces, NELFA members joined discussions on marriage equality in (Eastern) Europe, the role of strategic litigation in advancing LGBTIQ rights, and a crucial conversation on the visibility of trans and bi+ parenting in both advocacy and community work; their often-overlooked experiences, calling for more inclusive approaches within the broader movement.
Dedicated session on rainbow families
NELFA led a dedicated session titled “Rainbow Families: Stories of Resilience and Advocacy”, focusing on the realities faced by families across the Baltics and Nordics. Moderated by Daniel Martinović (Rainbow Families Croatia / NELFA), the panel featured:
- Eglė Kuktoraitė (Lithuanian Gay League) – sharing insights from recent research on legal, social, and institutional challenges for rainbow families in Lithuania and the wider Baltic region.
- Hinni Aarninsalo (Sateenkaariperheet ry, Finland) – discussing the situation in the Nordic countries, including the growing popularity of co-parenting structures and gaps in institutional support.
- Dominique Boren (APGL, France) – providing reflections on the situation in France and broader European debates, including the growing pushback against surrogacy and the need for continued solidarity.
The panel emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration, research-informed advocacy, and centering diverse family constellations in LGBTIQ policymaking across Europe.
“Rainbow families are an integral part of the LGBTIQ* movement. Strengthening our networks means ensuring that every family, in every country, is seen, respected, and protected.”
Looking ahead
NELFA’s participation in the Vilnius conference reaffirmed the importance of solidarity, resilience, and collective action among European LGBTIQ organisations. The conference offered inspiration, new partnerships, and a renewed commitment to fighting for full equality and legal recognition for all families – no matter where they live or how they are formed.
We now look ahead with anticipation to the next ILGA-Europe Annual Conference in Dublin, Ireland, and to continuing these important discussions at the NELFA AGM and Annual Conference, which is planned for February 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Together, we face the future – for every LGBTIQ* family in Europe.
