International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (May 16, 2025)

On the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, France reaffirms the urgent need for a worldwide fight against the ongoing persecution, discrimination and violence against LGBT+ people.

France reiterates its call for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality and for the fundamental rights of all LGBT+ people to be fully respected. Human rights, especially the right to a private life and the right to be free from discrimination, are universal and must extend to everyone, in all countries.

As a pioneer in defending the rights of LGBT+ people, in 2022 France appointed an ambassador who carries these messages to national governments, the EU, international organizations and civil society. We have established a specific fund to support rights defenders and provide assistance to LGBT+ people who are in danger.

In an international climate in which the rights of LGBT+ people are all too often challenged, they have never been more of a priority for France’s human rights diplomacy. In multilateral fora and in its bilateral relations, France champions these rights, in the name of the universality of human rights. We are working actively within the UN as part of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) and the UN LGBTI Core Group.

We will support the European Commission as it updates its strategy on the rights of LGBT+ people and will emphasize the fight against harassment and violence, including online.

We will support the renewal of the term of the Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at the Human Rights Council this July. We applaud the UN’s 2024 adoption of an inter-agency strategy on this issue.