European Evangelical Alliance expresses concern over Council of Europe LGBTI strategy

The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) has voiced concerns regarding the Council of Europe’s upcoming Strategy for the Equal Rights of LGBTI People (2027-2032). While the strategy is not legally binding, the EEA warns that its implementation across the council’s 46 member states could impact the freedom of expression for Christians who hold to traditional biblical convictions. Tatiana Kopaleishvili, the EEA’s representative to the EU, noted that the framework may influence national policies concerning school curricula, hate speech legislation, and conversion practices.

Scheduled for an official launch on January 26, 2027, in Strasbourg, the strategy aims to address discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals. It outlines four primary goals: promoting equal rights, countering disinformation, preventing hate crimes, and strengthening legal protections. The Council of Europe intends to support member states through technical assistance and policy expertise. Kopaleishvili emphasized that while evangelicals support the protection of all individuals from violence and harassment based on the belief that every person is created in the image of God, the alliance remains cautious about the potential implications for religious freedom.