Pride Month: We are ready

This year, the largest event dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community in Romania and its allies will take place from June 21-29, with the theme “We are ready.” Over 25,000 people are expected to take to the streets for the Bucharest Pride March, scheduled for June 29, to celebrate diversity and claim the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.

For the second consecutive year, Bucharest Pride addresses the urgent need for legal recognition and protection of all families formed by same-sex individuals, conveying a message from society: “We are ready for a Romania where LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families are seen, recognised, and protected.” The adoption of laws addressing these real needs can no longer be postponed.

Despite the discouraging discourse of political decision-makers, statistics show that Romanian society is more prepared for equality in 2024 than ever before. According to the latest study by ACCEPT, the NGO fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights, the level of support and empathy among Romanians for LGBTQIA+ families has increased significantly in recent years. A historic majority of 56% agree with marriage or another form of legal recognition for families formed by same-sex individuals—13 percentage points more than in 2021. Additionally, 72% of Romanians believe that their families would not lose anything if same-sex families had equal rights.

Bucharest Pride March: June 29

Since 2004, the LGBTQIA+ community in Romania has taken to the streets to celebrate their identity, amplify their voices, and advocate for their rights. In 2023, the march saw over 25,000 participants, a significant increase from the 15,000 who joined in 2022. For 2024, organisers anticipate an exponential rise in participation, driven by the government’s continued defiance of the LGBTQIA+ community’s needs in Romania. Details here.

Professional and educational discrimination

According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights’ report “LGBTIQ Equality at a Crossroads: Progress and Challenges” published in May 2024, 25% of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Romania report experiencing discrimination at work or during the job search process due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, compared to the European average of 19%. Furthermore, 39% of Romanian respondents have encountered discrimination in their daily lives across various social interactions, including in restaurants, cafes, and dealings with various institutions. Additionally, 9% of LGBTIQ+ individuals felt discriminated against by the healthcare system.

In educational settings, the situation is even more severe. 69% of respondents reported being victims of bullying, discrimination, and humiliating attitudes in Romanian schools and universities. Consequently, 60% of respondents choose to keep their LGBTIQ+ identity a secret to avoid further discrimination and hostility.

Study overview

The Ipsos Pride 2023 study reveals that 9% of adults identify as LGBT+ both globally and in Romania, with Generation Z showing the highest identification rates at 18%, compared to just 4% among Baby Boomers. In Romania, LGBT+ visibility and support for same-sex marriage and transgender rights are significantly lower than global averages, ranking among the lowest alongside countries like Japan, South Korea, and Poland. Despite this, the younger generation in Romania is notably more likely to identify as LGBT+ and support equal rights compared to older generations, with Generation Z being five times more likely to identify as LGBT+ than Baby Boomers.

The visibility of LGBT+ individuals also varies significantly by country, being higher in Latin America, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, but much lower in Romania. Globally, 56% support the legalisation of same-sex marriages, while in Romania, only 25% support it, with 33% opposed. Additionally, 67% of respondents globally support anti-discrimination protections for transgender people in employment and housing, compared to 59% in Romania. The study, conducted among 22,514 adults from 30 countries, including 500 from Romania, highlights the diverse levels of acceptance and visibility of LGBT+ communities, and underscores the generational and geographical differences in attitudes toward LGBT+ rights.

Credit Photo: Accept Association / Larisa Balta