In late August, a delegation of MEPs from the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament took part in World Pride 2021 in Copenhagen, reaffirming their continued commitment to the fight for LGBTIQ+ rights in Europe and beyond.

“It was an honour to welcome the world to Pride in Copenhagen. Prides are important to see you are not alone. We must not rest until all of the community is fully included in our societies. Finding your tribe is crucial as we see many especial the young in the LGBTI+ community with mental health issues as they struggle to be and feel included”, said Karen Melchior MEP (Radikale Venstre, DK), member of the LGBTI intergroup in the European Parliament.

The presence of Renew Europe at World Pride comes at a critical time for LGBTIQ+ rights. Despite significant advances, EU Member states such as Poland and Hungary have dealt blows to LGBTI+ rights just this year, and the LGBTI+ community is still vulnerable to hate crimes, hate speech and discrimination across the world.  That is why Renew Europe continues to give its full support to LGBTIQ+ community and reinforce the 2021 European Parliament resolution that declared the EU an LGBTI Freedom Zone.

"Being a part of World Pride allows us to show our strong support for the LGBTIQ community and to exchange ideas and experiences, some hopeful and others heartbreaking. When it comes to LGBTIQ rights, standing still is not an option. We have to keep fighting for equal rights, so everyone can be free to be who they are and love whom they want. Let’s celebrate our diversity!", declared Liesje Schreinemacher MEP (VVD, NL), Vice President of the LGBTI intergroup in the European Parliament and member of the Renew4Equality delegation at World Pride 2021.

Europe’s liberals remain committed to making tangible progress on LGBTIQ+ rights. In the European Parliament, liberals are fighting for the recognition and expansion of rights for rainbow families in all EU Member states, banning forced conversion therapies and ensuring that Europe is a safe place for the LGBTIQ+ community, including LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers at risk of persecution back home.

“Ensuring equal rights for the LGBTI+ community is a fight for human rights. It is also a fight for rule of law. Discriminatory legislation and derogatory rhetoric against minorities is a warning sign that our democracy is in danger and that we must act. Minorities are the canaries in the coal mine of democracy, and when they are stopped from singing: we must act. We are not free before everyone is free and fully included in society”, concluded Melchior.

🏳️‍🌈 #WorldPride: More than ever, we fight for #LGBTIQ+ rights!

"Finding your tribe is crucial as we see many especial the young in the LGBTI+ community with mental health issues as they struggle to be & feel included”, says @karmel80

📰 https://t.co/KC8OmrtFmN #cph2021 pic.twitter.com/0tT5pLbSOT

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) August 21, 2021

🏳️‍🌈 The presence of #RenewEurope at the #WorldPride is as important as it is obvious. While some EU Member states deal blows to #LGBTI+ rights, hate speeches & discrimination across the world & the EU, we would like to give its support and recall that Europe is a #LGBTIfreedomzone pic.twitter.com/s5WAw3k7mt

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) August 21, 2021