By Tom Jungen, Mayor of Roeser, Luxembourg, and PES Group member and coordinator for the SEDEC Commission.
At a time when LGBTIQ+ rights are under attack across Europe, staying silent is complicity. As a Socialist mayor, I believe that the defence of freedom and equality starts in our towns and cities – but it must drive bold action at EU level, especially with the revision of the LGBTIQ+ strategy on the horizon.
As Mayor of Roeser, a small but proud municipality in Luxembourg, I know that progressive values are not measured by the size of a city but by the courage of its leaders. In recent years, we have seen a dangerous backlash against LGBTIQ+ rights across Europe. Zones of hatred have been declared where freedom should reign. For me, as a Socialist and as a European, staying silent was never an option. That is why, in 2021, our municipal council unanimously declared Roeser an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone. This was more than a symbolic gesture. It was a clear message: in Roeser, everyone is free to be who they are, to love whom they love, without fear or shame.
Progressive politics starts at the local level. We are the first to see when discrimination creeps in – whether in schools, workplaces, sports clubs or public spaces. That is why we signed a Pact of Coexistence, committing to fight prejudice in all its forms, be it against migrants, religious minorities or LGBTIQ+ people. For us, equality is not selective – it is universal.
As Secretary General of Luxembourg’s Socialist Party (LSAP), I took this fight beyond Roeser. I urged fellow mayors and councillors to follow suit. Today, nearly half of Luxembourg’s municipalities have declared themselves LGBTIQ Freedom Zones. Our local movement inspired action at the national level, leading to a resolution in parliament affirming that Luxembourg stands for freedom and equality. But while I am proud of what we have achieved, I am not naïve. Across Europe, reactionary forces are gaining ground. In too many member states, LGBTIQ+ people face growing hostility, legal setbacks and daily threats to their dignity and safety. This is why initiatives like the #LGBTIQFreedomZone campaign are so politically important – because rights not defended are rights lost.
As we approach the revision of the EU’s LGBTIQ+ strategy post-2025, we must be clear: this is not the time for half-measures or cautious language. The European Commission, under the leadership of former Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli, took a historic step with the first strategy. Now, we need an even bolder and stronger commitment. One that does not just react to attacks but actively pushes forward – tying respect for LGBTIQ+ rights to the core of EU values, funding and external relations. The EU must stand with local and regional authorities who are on the frontline of this fight. We need resources, visibility and political backing to make sure that declarations of freedom are matched by concrete actions – be it in education, healthcare, housing or public safety.
As a Socialist, I believe that human rights are non-negotiable. LGBTIQ+ rights are not ‘special rights’, they are the basic rights every person deserves. Europe must remember this, especially when dealing with member states or candidate countries where these rights are under attack. In Roeser, we will continue to do our part. But local voices need a strong European echo. The upcoming LGBTIQ+ strategy revision is a test of whether the EU is ready to stand firm against the tide of intolerance, or whether it will look the other way. I know where I stand. I call on all progressive leaders – local, national and European – to stand with us. Because freedom, dignity, and equality are not just words for resolutions. They are the foundation of the Europe we believe in.
This article was originally published on The Progressive Post.
