In her speech, she insisted on the need to be more vocal to protect the rights of more vulnerable groups in society. Although 71% of EU citizens agree that LGBTI people should have the same rights as heterosexual people, according to a study by the European Fundamental Rights Agency, 47% of LGBTI people report to be discriminated or harassed in the year preceding the survey.

Commissioner Jourová also took stock of the progress made by the Europan Commission to better protect LGTBI people while insisting on the joint responsibility with Member States. She underlined the fact that the European Commission is leading by example. Last year a new Human Resources diversity strategy with specific actions for LGTBI staff was adopted.

The Commission also raised awareness by lightening the Berlaymont in rainbow colours on 17 May, and by developing video dedicated to LGBTI equality. She then unveiled a new set of 17 EU-funded projects in 21 EU member states (EU funding: 4.699.044 euros). Those projects will support, for example, the Baltic and the Czech pride, anti-bullying campaigns in Greek schools, online tools to prevent hate speech in Italy, etc.