EPPride - the LGBTIQ+ network of EPP

A network of conservative, christian-democrat, and liberal-conservative LGBTIQ+-groups in Europe. We work to strengthen cooperation between the member organisations, provide an LGBTIQ+ voice in the centre-right policies on the European and national level as well as providing a centre-right voice in the LGBTIQ+ community.

Founded in 2013

11 member organisations
from 10 countries

Associated Entity
in the EPP 2023

Name change to include EPP in 2025

European Election - find your LGBT+ allies to vote for!

On June 6th – 9th you can vote in the election to the European Parliament. We in the European Centre-Right LGBT+ Alliance have reached out to our member organisations asking for recommendation of good candidates from our EPP family that are allies for us in LGBT+ issues.

So here are some recommended candidates and LGBT+ allies to vote for.

Constituency: Finland
"We need to embrace diversity and the richness it brings to all of us and to our societies. Throughout my time in the European Parliament, I have dedicated time to promote and uphold the rights of LGBT+ community. In the upcoming mandate, it will be especially important to promote the adoption of the legislation recognizing parenthood all over Europe and creating a European certificate of parenthood. A family in one EU Member State is a family everywhere, period." www.sirpapietikainen.net
Sirpa Pietikäinen
Sirpa PietikäinenKokoomus, Finland
“I stand for tolerance and openness in our society. Everyone should be allowed to live and love as they wish and have the right to start a family, regardless of their sexual orientation. This is fundamental to me.”
www.dennis-radtke.eu
Dennis Radtke
Dennis RadtkeCDU Germany
Constituency: Dublin
“I believe in a Europe of equality and opportunity. It is crucial that the MEPs who make up the next European Parliament support legislation that removes discrimination in Europe, including for LGBT+ people. We must recognise the intrinsic human dignity of every individual person. Barriers to participation and opportunity should not be acceptable. We still hear too many disturbing stories of people who are LGBT+ being denied opportunities or attacked on our streets or harassed online because of their identity and sexual orientation” www.finegael.ie
Regina Doherty
Regina DohertyFine Gael, Ireland
Constituency: Midlands North West
"As Vice-President of the European Parliament’s LGBTI Interest Group and representative of LGBTI rights for the EPP group, protecting and advancing the rights of the LGBTI+ community has been one of my top priorities as an MEP. I have advocated for recognition of same-sex marriages in all European countries. I have worked to deliver improved protections for Rainbow Families and secure rights for LGBTI+ children. I consistently call for an EU-wide ban on conversion therapy. Continuing my work on the practices and protections related to the rights of Transgender people will be one of my top priorities."
www.mariawalsh.eu
Maria Walsh
Maria WalshFine Gael, Ireland
Constituency: the Netherlands
“I am committed to combating hate speech and promoting an inclusive society, pushing for stringent measures against discrimination while championing initiatives like LGBTQ+ friendly counselling services for teenagers (‘sense spreekuur’) in his municipality of Westland, ensuring accessible services for all."
www.cda.nl/kevin-klinkspoor
Kevin Klinkspoor
Kevin KlinkspoorCDA, the Netherlands
Constituency: the Netherlands
‘I believe in an inclusive Europe where equal treatment and protection are self-evident for everyone, regardless of gender, origin, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. That is why I am committed to ensuring that all Member States mutually recognise same-sex partnerships, including the parental authority for their children. I stand for a Europe that truly cares about its citizens.’
www.cda.nl/gerben-horst
Gerben Horst
Gerben HorstCDA, the Netherlands
Constituency: Sweden
Recognise rainbow families all across the EU – everything else is wrong. We need to make sure that everyone has the possibility to form a family.
mstugan.se
Elvira Löwenadler
Elvira LöwenadlerModeraterna, Sweden
Constituency: Sweden
Ban conversion therapy all across the EU – anything else is torture. Make sure that same-sex marriages are recognised in all EU member states.
mstugan.se
Tobias Björk
Tobias BjörkModeraterna, Sweden
Constituency: Sweden
Take action against EU member states who violates the rights of LGBT+ persons. In my Europe, there are no LGBTQ-free zones. Everyone should be free to be who they are, wherever you live in Europe.
mstugan.se
Sofia Ahlin
Sofia AhlinModeraterna, Sweden
Constituency: Sweden
Support LGBT+ organisations in Ukraine – there freedom is our freedom!
mstugan.se
Edvin Alam
Edvin AlamModeraterna, Sweden
Constituency: Sweden
It is time to strengthen our efforts to fight discrimination against LGBT+ person across all EU member states. And also high tome for the European Union to stand up for our values and for LGBT+ rights all over the world. EU should always be clear in this in all international relations. A first step would be to cut support for governments who oppress LGBT+ persons.
mstugan.se
Fredrik Saweståhl
Fredrik SaweståhlModeraterna, Sweden
Constituency: Sweden
Europe should be the most free region for LGBT people, for a true freedom of movement for all families and be a voice for freedom in the world. LGBT rights are human rights and need to be treated as such in our foreign policy.
Martin Hallander
Martin HallanderKristdemokraterna, Sweden
Constituency: Cyprus
Inclusive societies are one of my main priorities and one of the biggest challenges we have to face on a European level in the upcoming years. A strong European Union depends on a strong Democracy. And a strong Democracy depends on strong societies which can only be safeguarded when all human beings can feel safe and free.
Christiana Xenofontos
Christiana XenofontosDemocratic Rally (DISY), Cyprus
Constituency: Austria
I am running because it is important to me to promote diversity in the city and the countryside.
Tanja Venier
Tanja VenierÖVP, Austria

Strengthening the LGBTIQ+ Voice As Part of the Centre-Right Narrative

The core values of the EPP and its member parties are built upon respect for each individual and the unwavering demand for individual freedom, inclusion, and openness. Our objective is to keep building a society where each and every citizen can live freely and safely as individuals, as a part of a family and of society, and be respected for who they are.

We strongly believe that these basic values endorsed by the political family of EPP are the strongest guarantee to ensure the rights of the LGBTIQ+ communities across Europe: freedom, respect, and the right for individuals to be different; but also to see and recognise the multitude of individuality, of which sexual orientation and gender identity are as important as other characteristics. In acknowledging and emphasising this fact, we reject the notion that being LGBTIQ+ is just some form of ideology.

Download this new position paper by EPPride and the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

Download

How Russia dehumanised the LGBTIQ+ movement

Starting around 2009 Putin’s regime raised suspicions against LGBT+people in Russia. From there on his regime has systematically increased the argumentation and made it increasingly difficult to be oneself as LGBT+person in his Russia. Legislation and judgements have systematically reduced civil rights for LGBT+people, until all LGBT+activity earlier this year was declared extremism.

In this digital seminar you will meet Mikhail Tumasov, born 1975 in Astrakhan. He is a Russian LGBT activist and human rights defender. In 2011, he founded the LGBT movement Avers in Samara, Russia, in response to the so-called “Milonov Law”, which banned “homosexual propaganda”. Since 2015, he has been chairman of the Russian LGBT Network, the largest LGBTIQ organisation in Russia. He now lives in Germany and has joined the LVSD.

Mikhail informs us on how Putin managed to dehumanise LGBT+ and how the situation actually is for LGBT+people under Putin’s iron heel.

Statements and articles

2025-09-13

Discussed LGBTIQ+ strategy with Commissioner Lahbib

Read more »

2025-06-22

EPPride at EuroPride 2025

Read more »

2025-05-07

LGBTIQ+ issues raised in more arenas at EPP Congress

Read more »

2025-03-19

A dark day for both Hungary and human rights in Europe

Read more »

2025-01-13

New name – EPPride

Read more »

Annual report 2023-2024

Download the annual report of the European Centre-Right LGBT+ Alliance 

Download

Previous years:

Annual report 2022-2023

2021-2022

Webinar on our political platforms with the LGBT+ Alliance and the LGBTI Liberals

Comprehensive LGBTIQ+ Political Platform

Download our political platform

Download

Our Work

Alliance with Ursula von der Leyen
Giving Alliance platform to Roberta Metsola
The Alliance delegation at EPP Congress 2024
The Alliance voting on resolutions
With PM of Ireland an deputy PM of the Netehrlands
Panel Discussion at World Pride 2021
Annual meeting in Paris, France 2017
Panel Discussion at World Pride 2021
Meeting people at World Pride 2021
Alliance in the Belgian Senate 2018§
Alliance at EPP Headquarters in Brussels 2018
Annual meeting in Brussels 2018
Alliance visiting Stortinget (Parliament) in Oslo, Norway 2019
Annual meeting in Brussels 2018
Helge Y Lorange with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solvik
Meeting Eurovision winner Ruslana at the EPP congress in Rotterdam
World Pride Parade 2021
Rainbow crossing in Brussels 2022
Seminar at the EPP congress in Rotterdam
Alliance board visiting European Parliament
Alliance att EPP Congress in Rotterdam 2022
President Fredrik Saweståhl at EPP Political Assembly in Helsinki
Helge Y Lorange and Fredrik Saweståhl
Hoyre conference in Norwey
Open Moderates (Sweden) 2023
Oslo Pride 2023
Vice president Helge Y Lorange with former Prime minister of Norway Erna Solberg
Fredrik Saweståhl with Swedish Primeminister Ulf Kristersson
Fredrik Saweståhl at EPP Political Assembly
Former President Fredrik Saweståhl meeting the speaker of the Irish Senate
President Helge Y Lorange meeting MEP Maria Walsh
Annual meeting in Dublin 2023

Member Organisations

(ÖVP – Austrian Peoples Party)
Gruppe 2019AUSTRIA
Gruppe 2019
(CD&V – Christian Democratic and Flemish)
CD & V Regenboognetwerk BELGIUM
CD & V Regenboognetwerk
(Kansallinen Kokoomus - National Coalition Party)
KasaryFINLAND
Kasary
(CDU/CSU)
Bundesverband Lesben und Schwulen in der Union, LSUGERMANY
Bundesverband Lesben und Schwulen in der Union, LSU
(Fine Gael)
Fine Gael LGBTIRELAND
Fine Gael LGBT
(CDA – Christian Democratic Appeal)
CDA Pride NetwerkNETHERLANDS
CDA Pride Netwerk
(Høyre – the Conservative Party)
Åpne HøyreNORWAY
Åpne Høyre
(Kristdemokraterna – the Christian Democrats)
Öppna KristdemokraterSWEDEN
Öppna Kristdemokrater
(Moderaterna – the Moderate Party)
Öppna ModeraterSWEDEN
Öppna Moderater
Δημοκρατικός Συναγερμός - Ομάδα ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ & Συμμάχοι
Democratic Rally - LGBTIQ+
& Allies TeamCYPRUS
Democratic Rally - LGBTIQ+ <br>& Allies Team
(Partit Nazzjonalista)
Forum Opportunitajiet Indaqs Partit Nazzjonalista (FOIPN)MALTA
Forum Opportunitajiet Indaqs Partit Nazzjonalista (FOIPN)

EPPride - the LGBTIQ+ network of EPP

EPPride was founded in Berlin in 2013 by the centre-right LGBTIQ+ organisations LSU from Germany, Öppna Moderater from Sweden and Kasary from Finland. The inaugural meeting was held at the CDU headquarters, the Konrad Adenauer Haus.

EPPride – the LGBTIQ+ network of EPP
c/o Öppna Moderater
Box 2080 S-103 12 Stockholm
Sweden

© Mikael Onegård 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Office: info@eppride.eu Webb: webmaster@eppride.eu