Does Brussels promote an LGBTQ+ agenda at the expense of traditional families?

(by Alexandra Gemzicka, student in the master programme European Law – Utrecht ľ�ϸ��Ӱ��, 3 March 2025)

To some people, the European Union (EU) represents an organization that advocates for . To some, it represents far-reaching power that disregards national traditions and imposes liberal values on more conservative countries. This tension is visible, particularly in the debate on LGBTQ+ rights and the classic family model. But do efforts of Brussels to protect LGBTQ+ rights really undermine traditional family values?

Where does the “tension” between LGBTQ+ and traditional family stem from?

Political figures, including Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, continually comment on the conflict between Brussels and the so-called “family-friendly nations”. During one of his speeches, Orbán that “the EU is conducting an LGBT+ offensive against the family-friendly nations of Europe”.

Gender ideology is exactly what Communism used to be. They artificially cut the nation into minorities to spark strife among the groups.

Similarly, the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has also emphasized that he prioritizes Slovak Social Democracy as opposed to what he refers to as “Brussels Social Democracy”. His position includes rejecting the focus on topics such as . (Translated from Slovak to English by the author.)

What does this cause?

Since this narrative is repeatedly delivered by political leaders, it shapes public perception and creates skepticism toward EU policies. People believe that the are an attempt of the liberal West to impose its values on others, harm children by converting them into sexual perversions, or that they threaten so-called “nuclear” families - consisting of a married male and female raising children.

Why does the EU talk about the protection of LGBTQ+ rights?

While non-discrimination and human rights protection are fundamental aspects of the EU, LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination. For this reason, the EU addresses the protection of LGBTQ+ rights primarily to ensure that all its citizens receive and are not subject to exclusion.

36 percent of LGBTQ+ respondents in the EU feel discriminated against in at least one area of their lives.

Essentially, the EU strives to create a society where , without fearing exclusion or unfair treatment. This is not only a philosophical idea. The is strongly rooted in founding EU legislation, including the , and , therefore supported by the law too.

Okay… But what about forcing countries to amend marriage laws?

One of the stereotypical claims is that the EU forces Member States to amend their laws by including same-sex marriages. This is not true, as marriage legislation remains in the . This means that the national from one EU country to another to accommodate their cultural traditions and backgrounds.

… and adoption of children by same-sex couples?

Similar to marriage, the adoption of children falls within family law – therefore, it remains in the . While same-sex marriages have been recognized by the majority of Member States, remain more strict. Even in countries where same-sex marriages are allowed, the right to adopt is not always given equally. Some EU countries provide same-sex couples with the possibility of adoption, whereas in some, adoption is limited or prohibited at all.

So what does Brussels require from Member States?

It is clear that family law – including adoption and marriage - is still in the hands of Member States. However, what is the actual role of the EU, considering the accusations of the EU forcing LGBTQ+ policies on its countries?

Principle of Non-Discrimination

The message of the EU is clear – no one should face discrimination because of who they are. Because work forms a big part of our lives, the EU aims to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals are subject to equal treatment, especially in employment.

Under the , the EU requires the Member States to ensure that all EU citizens receive equal treatment in recruitment, working conditions, and training. The Directive also provides that its provisions do not extend to national rules on marriage, adoption, or other family-related matters.

So, the bottom line is that the EU requires Member States to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals are not discriminated against at work because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Right to Free Movement

One of the fundamental principles the EU is built on is the right to , which means that EU citizens can live freely in any EU country. However, for LGBTQ+ couples, it is not always so simple.

Imagine you and your partner, both EU citizens, get married and decide to move to another EU country to be closer to family or for a new job opportunity. However, once you arrive, you are not allowed to live together because the country does not recognize your marriage. This is what happened in Romania.

To tackle this, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the Court) in ruled that even if same-sex marriage is not lawfully recognized in a Member State, the couple is to be granted residency rights to allow them to live together. Similarly, in , the Court ruled that a birth certificate of a child with same-sex parents should be recognized in all EU countries for the child to be able to move freely within the EU.

The EU is not forcing countries to legalize same-sex marriages or same-sex parent adoption but rather making sure that LGBTQ+ families enjoy the same rights as any other EU citizen - the right to free movement within the EU.

Mutual Recognition

is also one of the principles within the EU that ensures that a decision made in one EU country is recognized as valid in another. In its , the EU proposed legislation that would ensure that if someone is recognized as a parent of a child in one EU country, they should be recognized as a parent in all EU countries.

In essence, the EU is not trying to change national laws and cultural traditions. Rather, it is trying to make sure that the EU functions as a community where individuals and families do not lose their rights simply because they move to another country.

Finding a balance

Finding a balance is crucial. Especially in debates, where different nations, cultures, traditions, and legal systems are involved. While it is understandable that some see EU promotion of LGBTQ+ rights as an agenda undermining traditional family, and some see it as a necessary step to ensure equality and fairness, these two views do not have to be in conflict.

So does Brussels force an LGBTQ+ agenda on Member States at the expense of traditional families?

The answer is no. Altough the EU promotes the protection of LGBTQ+ rights, it also respects each country's national identity. The EU does not force EU countries to change their national family law. Instead, it ensures that everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, all EU citizens should be allowed to freely move across Member States, without facing discrimination or unfair obstacles.

After all, the EU’s motto is: “” – accepting our differences while ensuring equality and fairness for all.

EU Legislation:

Treaty on European Union (TEU) [2012] OJ C326/13 Art. 2-3.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) [2012] OJ C326/47 Art. 10.
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFR) [2012] OJ C326/391 Art. 21(1).
Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation [2000] OJ L303/16.

CJEU Case Law:

Case C-673/16 Coman and Others v General Inspectorate for Immigration and Ministry of the Interior [2018] ECLI:EU:C:2018:385.
Case C-490/20 V.М.А. v Stolichna obshtina, rayon 'Pancharevo' [2021] EU:C:2021:1008.

EU Official Policy Documents:

European Parliament - Policy Department for External Relations Directorate General for External Policies of the Union, “Disinformation Campaigns about LGBTI+ People in the EU and Foreign Influence” (July 2021) <; accessed 28 February 2025.‌
European Parliament - EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service, “The Rights of LGBTI People in the European Union” (May 2022) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
European Parliament - EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service, “Free movement rights of rainbow families” (June 2023) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
European Commission, “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Union Of Equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 COM (12 November 2020) 698 final < ; accessed 28 February 2025.

‌EU Official Websites:

European Union, “Aims and Values” (2023) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
European Union – Your Europe, “Civil Marriages in the EU: National and Cross-Border Rules” (2022) <; accessed 28 February 2025.‌
European Commission, “Mutual Recognition of Goods” (2023) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
European Union, “EU Motto” (2023) <; accessed 28 February 2025.

Websites/ľ�ϸ��Ӱ�� Articles:

The Brussels Times, “Viktor Orbán criticises the EU's 'population exchanges' in latest far-right speech” (23 July 2025) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
MCC Brussels, “How Did LGBTQ Take over the EU? How the EU Used LGBTQ Advocacy to Demonise the East” (9 November 2023) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
PBS ľ�ϸ��Ӱ��, “At CPAC, Hungary’s Viktor Orban Decries LGBTQ+ Rights, Migration” (4 May 2023) <; accessed 28 February 2025.
NBC ľ�ϸ��Ӱ��, “LGBTQ People in the E.U. Face Less Discrimination but More Violence, Survey Finds” (14 May 2024) <; accessed 28 February 2025.

‌ Social Media Posts:

Youtube Channel: SMER – Sociálna Demokracia, “R. Fico: SMER-SD je Slovenská Sociálna Demokracia” (5 May 2021) <; accessed 28 February 2025.

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