The Evidence Base Report provides a comprehensive overview of LGBTIQ+ hate speech in political and public spheres across six European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Hungary, and Ireland. It brings together findings from surveys, interviews, and desk research to explore current challenges, responses, and opportunities for change.
The report examines how LGBTIQ+ issues are understood and addressed in institutional and political contexts, with a particular focus on experiences of hate speech, levels of awareness, and the effectiveness of existing responses. It also highlights how national contexts differ, while identifying shared challenges across countries.
Public officials, working within local, national, and public institutions
Civil society organisations (CSOs), including those focused on LGBTIQ+ issues, human rights, and related fields
The findings show that online hate speech remains the most widespread and consistent challenge across all countries. While many politicians and public officials report relatively high levels of personal acceptance, knowledge gaps, limited training, and low confidence in responding to hate speech are common. At the same time, CSOs frequently encounter hate speech and face barriers to reporting and addressing it effectively.
