Declarations

Rainbow Platform’s Dublin Diversity Declaration has been signed by 45 liberal parties at the ALDE Party Congress to pledge for a more diverse and open political representation. Founding parties of the Rainbow Platform, which is a pan-European initiative to drive LGBTQI+ representation in European politics ahead of the 2024 election, hosted an event at the 2022 ALDE Party Congress in Dublin, Ireland. At the ceremony both high-profile political actors and operative leaders have spoken up on the issue of low LGBTQI+ representation and pledged to better it on a European, national, and local level too.

“The goal is to promote more diversity in politics and representation. Representation matters and it is very important because all of these parties are coming here to walk the talk. To put on more action than just words.” said Luis Cano, founder of Rainbow Platform. “This is the beginning of a network action that isolates the problems, and says whenever something happens, we the liberals are the ones, who are taking action and not giving everything on a political speech.”

Members of the liberal political family can still sign the declaration and pledge for changes in their countries until the ALDE Council meeting in Bratislava in November, where more action will follow the Rainbow Platform’s expanding initiative.

The full text of the declaration can be read here:

We, the liberal political parties in Europe, gather in Dublin on June 2-4, 2022, under the framework of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe annual Congress to commit towards diversity in representation of the LGBTQI+ community of Europe. Liberals have been historically pioneers in fighting for the rights LGBTQI+ community. Building upon our work towards an equal Europe, we now commit ourselves to:

1. Reaffirm the need for the importance of political engagement  of the LGBTQI+ community in Europe, from voting participation, access to spaces of political discussion to political representation;

2. Recognise the need to have inclusion and diversity programmes in our parties structures to ensure that members of the LGBTQI+ community have the opportunity to engage meaningfully in decision making and representation positions. 

3. Embrace technology as a tool to engage the LGBTQI+ community in the liberal cause, from access to information to training to pursue careers and lead in the representation field. 

4. Assert the need for LGBTQI+ representation at all levels in European politics, recognising the importance not only for a more active LGBTQI+ political life but also for promoting tools and best practices for achieving equitable representation and equitable power in government.

5. Assess the need for networks and caucuses to embrace equal political representation. 

6. Work towards the intersection of minority rights to ensure that our political organisations consider LGBTQI+ representation and equality in gender, race, and national identity. 

7. Include clauses in our statutes that explicitly mention our commitment to more LGBTQI+ representation and the defence of LGBTQI+ rights in our countries. 

   
   
   

   We proclaim that we cannot allow anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric to be an obstacle to equality in Europe. We, liberals, have the ability and power to create inclusive political environments for all.

Signed by:

• VVD

• D66

• CP

• Momentum

• Nowoczesna

• NEOS

• Fianna Fáil

• Venstre

• Progressive Slovakia

• Latvijas Attistibai

• Svenska Folkpartiet i Finland

• Piu Europa

• Liberal Democrats

• DEMOKRATESCH PARTEI

• Iniciativa Liberal

• Nasa Stranka

• OpenVLD

• Vidreisn

• PSG

• Liberalerna

• Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)

• Golos

• Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats (HNS)

• Liberal Party of Andorra

• The Liberal Democratic Party (North Macedonia)

• Radicali italiani

• Ciudadanoss

• Keskusta

• Radikale Venstre

• LAISVĖS PARTIJA

• Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

• Radikale Venstre

• Gaylib (affiliated Parti Radical)

• European Party of Ukraine

• Democratic Alignment (Cyprus)

• Liberal Movement (Lithuania)

• FdP (with an opt out to the 7th clause)

• Reformierakond

Don’t see your party here? Sign the Dublin Diversity Declaration below!

The declaration is open for new parties to sign. To sign on behalf of your party, please write us an email submit below once the board of your party or the internal governing structures of your party decide to sign.

The Bilbao Rainbow Declaration lays the groundwork for a more inclusive Europe with the member organisations of the European Democratic Party — it reflects an Europe that showcases the diversity of its people and strengthens democracy through representation.

We, the member parties of the European Democratic Party, gathered in Bilbao under the framework of the EDP Congress, reaffirm our deep commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion in political life. As Democrats, we believe that every person—regardless of their gender, origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or faith—must have an equal voice in shaping the future of our continent.

Our Commitments

1. Promote political engagement among all communities.

We recognise the importance of active political participation from all parts of society—from voting to representation in decision-making bodies. Democracies thrive when every citizen has a voice.

2. Build inclusive and representative party structures.

We will strengthen our internal processes to ensure that individuals from minority and underrepresented communities can access opportunities to lead and contribute meaningfully to our shared democratic mission.

3. Use technology to advance inclusion.

We embrace digital innovation as a tool to reach, empower, and train individuals from all backgrounds—especially those who face barriers to participation—to engage in political life and public service.

4. Champion representation at all levels of governance.

We commit to fostering an environment in which minorities and underrepresented groups are encouraged and supported to take part in political life, recognising that diverse perspectives strengthen democratic governance.

5. Foster networks and alliances for equal political participation.

We encourage the creation of platforms, caucuses, and partnerships that promote exchange, mentoring, and solidarity among those working toward inclusive representation.

6. Equal rights for all, mindful of overlapping barriers.

Rights are universal and equal for everyone. In real life, some differences (gender, origin, sexual orientation, disability, age) can stack up, creating extra obstacles. That doesn’t justify fragmenting society into micro-identities: it means designing policies that are principled and universal, with targeted, proportionate tools to remove those barriers where they appear—without creating silos or hierarchies.

7. Embed inclusion in our founding principles. We will include in our statutes a clear commitment to diversity, equality, and the defence of minority rights across Europe, ensuring these values guide all our political activities.

Our Democratic Responsibility

We, Democrats, stand united against discrimination, hatred, and exclusion. We reject rhetoric and actions that seek to divide our societies or diminish the rights of any individual. Our duty is to build an open, inclusive, and participatory Europe—one where democracy is strengthened by the diversity of all its people.