Ross Othen-Reeves
24 October 2025
9:00 am
Session summary
The European Parliament is the beating democratic heart of the sprawling, multifaceted organism that is the EU. Every five years, the bloc’s 450 million citizens are asked to vote on the 720 politicians who will become Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). So it’s a big deal, particularly for LGBTQ+ populations. Given their nationalistic leanings, Eurosceptism is in the DNA of the far-right. Historically, most Populist or Radical Right (PRR) parties campaigned to leave the bloc. In recent years, however, many have changed tack, and have instead sought to subvert the institution from within rather than leave. Hence authoritarian leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Oban now campaigning on the slogan Occupy Brussels. In the 2024 elections, public discontent across Europe played into the PRRs' hands. Their vote share increased from 18% in 2019 to 24% this year. National parties once considered mad, bad, and dangerous to know have now organising their influence in European affairs over the coming years. This could have serious implications for Europe’s LGBTQ+ populations:
• States governed by PRR parties could intensify their domestic assaults on LGBTQ+ rights
• LGBTQ+ Inclusive Policies Might Stall
• Centre-Right groups could harden their positions on LGBTQ+ rights
• The rise (and rise) of homo/bi/trans+ phobia
Yet it’s also true that there is more acceptance of queer people in Europe than ever before. The European Commission has found that over 70% of EU citizens now believe that there is nothing wrong with same-sex relationships. Support for trans people has also increased to 63%. The session will therefore close by exploring what we can do to ensure the momentum for LGBTQ+ rights stays on our side and offer practical tips for what Europeans can do to fight the threat.
Biography
Ross (He/Him) studied International Development for his undergraduate degree (B.A), followed by a Master's (M.A) in Human Rights, both at the University of Sussex, U.K. He focused on global LGBTQ+ rights throughout both degrees, completing field research in Malawi and Ethiopia respectively. He won academic awards for both his B.A. and M.A theses. Ross went on to work in the Global LGBTQ+ Rights sector for almost 10 years. This included roles such as Advisor on the Rapid Response Fund at Frontline AIDS (providing emergency support to LGBTQ+ CSOs in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean); Head of Global Programmes at Stonewall; and as Chair of the UK Alliance for Global Equality for three years. He is now a freelance writer and researcher specialising in LGBTQ+ rights for organisations such as ReportOUT.
