LGBTQ rights in European Union | |
|---|---|
 European Union | |
| Status | Never criminalised in EU law. Last state criminalisation repealed in 1998. |
| Military | Allowed to serve openly in all states |
| Discrimination protections | Outlawed in employment with further protections in some member states' law |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage in 16/27 states Recognition of same-sex unions in 24/27 states No recognition of same-sex couples in 3/27 states |
| Restrictions | Same-sex marriage constitutional ban in 7/27 states. |
| Adoption | Joint adoption in 17/27 states Step-child adoption in 20/27 states |
The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people are protected under the European Union's (EU) treaties and law. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in all EU member states and discrimination in employment has been banned since 2000. However, EU states have different laws when it comes to any greater protection, same-sex civil union, same-sex marriage, and adoption by same-sex couples.