EU law doesn’t treat sexual orientation as a footnote — it’s named explicitly in the Union’s foundational rights text.
Any discrimination based on… sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin… sexual orientation shall be prohibited.
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Article 21
What this means in practice
EU institutions are bound by that principle when they legislate. Member states are bound by it whenever they’re implementing EU law, even where their own domestic law goes further — or not as far.
Freedom of movement, for real families
EU case law has addressed how free movement rights apply to same-sex spouses and registered partners moving between member states — relevant if you’re planning to live, work, or study elsewhere in the EU with a partner or family.
Visibility and participation
The rights covered elsewhere on this site — to vote, to petition, to be consulted — apply to LGBT citizens on exactly the same footing as anyone else. Using them is itself a form of participation.