The letter was sent by parents from different countries to the parties running for EU Parliament:

The European Network of Parents of LGBTI+ (ENP)’s mission is to act as an umbrella organisation in European countries (including countries that are not part of the EU) to build a collective voice that empowers advocacy for our children’s rights and duties.

From 23 – 26 May, the public will vote to choose Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who over the next five years will act as the voice of more than 500 million Europeans.

The very core values on which the EU is founded – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law – are being called into question.

Human rights – in particular, those of our LGBTI children – are facing a forceful challenge.

We fear the current threatening wave of populism and extremism.

Joining ILGA Europe’s campaign we ask MEP candidates to sign its Come Out pledge publicly, committing them to:

• Strengthening LGBTI protection law and policy

• Ensuring an enabling environment for parents’ organizations and LGBTI human rights defenders in general

• Ensuring EU leadership on LGBTI rights

• Harnessing the power of their position

• Being an ally to under-represented voices

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AGAINST EXTREMISM AND POPULISM.

Please sign the ILGA Europe COME OUT campaign and help us build a safer Europe for all our children

Joseph Peregin (Malta)

Margarida Lima de Faria (Portugal)

President and General Secretary of ENP Board