Every June, cities across the world become vibrant with colour, energy and solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) communities. Pride is not just a celebration of progress, it is also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done by institutions and communities to create inclusive, safe spaces. In 2025, Pride marches and events have offered a stark reminder that anti-LGBTIQ violence remains, as does pushback against trans rights and inclusive education.
Inclusive urban development depends on addressing structural inequalities, including those related to gender and sexual identity. URBACT networks such as the Gendered Landscape Action Planning Network have explored the intersections of gender and urban planning. Resources like the Gender Equal Cities Knowledge Hub provide expert insights and practical recommendations for integrating gender equality into local urban agendas. These efforts align with broader frameworks such as the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020–2025 and global initiatives that support cities in empowering local LGBTIQ communities. URBACT actively contributes to this agenda through its support of cities and knowledge-sharing platforms.
In this article, we dive into the work of a global network that offers 13 practical guidelines on turning LGBTIQ inclusion into local action.
Rainbow Cities Network 
The Rainbow Cities Network (RCN) was founded by the cities of Amsterdam (NL), Barcelona (ES), Cologne (DE), and Turin (IT) as an informal collaboration in 2012. The network has since expanded to other European and non-European cities such as Mexico City (MX), São Paulo (BR), and Beşiktaş (TR), strengthening its role as an international platform for local LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
Through the exchange of good practices, knowledge sharing and joint planning, the network empowers cities to develop inclusive strategies tailored to their own contexts. It aims to help local governments increase the visibility of LGBTIQ people and foster environments where diversity is recognised, respected, and protected.
13 guidelines for local action
The RCN has developed a set of practical guidelines outlining key challenges across 13 interconnected policy fields.
How do these guidelines help cities? They serve as a flexible toolkit adaptable to diverse local contexts, city sizes, and organisational structures. On one hand, they offer tested and proven approaches (good practices); on the other, they assist cities in developing comprehensive local action plans or effectively reforming policies at the municipal level.
Below are some examples of good practices that address some of the most urgent issues in 2025, including public spaces, safety, sports, and employment.
Local governments are responsible for providing essential infrastructure, both hard (like transport, energy, water) and soft (such as public buildings, parks, schools, and healthcare facilities), to support urban life. However, many LGBTIQ individuals still face discrimination when accessing public spaces, with over one-third in the EU reporting negative experiences during leisure activities.
Heidelberg (DE) offers a good example of inclusive infrastructure. In 2022, it adopted a concept for implementing all-gender public toilets, making it one of Germany’s first cities to formally include this in urban planning. The Building Department and the LGBTIQ+ Coordination Office now jointly decide on including such facilities in new or renovated municipal buildings.
Cork City Council (IE) also promotes inclusion by increasing LGBTIQ visibility in public spaces. Beyond symbolic flag-raisings on key dates, the city has invested in permanent features like a rainbow glass balustrade at the civic offices and two rainbow pedestrian crossings - clear, lasting signs of support for its LGBTIQ community.
LGBTIQ people face a high risk of harassment and violence due to their sexual or gender identity. According to the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, 58% of respondents in their latest survey reported experiencing harassment or threatening situations including sexual harassment or assault.
In Rotterdam (NL), the Natuurlijk Samen initiative—led by the Safety Alliance for LGBTIQ People—brings together police (including the ‘Pink in Blue’ police network), the anti-discrimination office RADAR, and local NGOs. It focuses on increasing safety, encouraging reporting, and identifying and addressing unsafe situations.
Another example comes from the city of Berlin (DE), which provides specialised civil society counselling, along with LGBTIQ contact persons in the police and prosecutor’s office to assist victims of anti-LGBTIQ harassment, discrimination, or violence through the reporting process.
Local governments play a key role in enhancing quality of life by providing infrastructure, funding, and access to recreational and sports facilities. However, LGBTIQ people are often excluded from such spaces due to lack of representation, structural discrimination, or because they face hostility, verbal or physical violence.
In Hanover (DE) the ‘All Bodies Swim’ initiative addresses the exclusion of trans, intersex, and non-binary people from public pools due to inappropriate facilities, dress code pressures, or discrimination. The city offers exclusive monthly swim times, when LGBTIQ individuals can use any changing room and wear swimwear that aligns with their identity, supported by specially trained staff.
The Municipality of Kotor (ME) offers another example of inclusive public infrastructure by integrating LGBTIQ themes into its cultural and tourism agenda. On Human Rights Day, the city supported the launch of “Discovering the Hidden: Montenegro, Queer and Related Topics”, highlighting the often-overlooked history and culture of LGBTIQ people in Montenegro.
LGBTIQ people face high levels of workplace discrimination and unemployment, with many hiding their identity out of fear. Trans individuals are particularly affected due to CV gaps and bias against gender non-conformity. Municipalities can lead by fostering inclusive work environments, setting diversity standards in contracts, and supporting awareness or mentoring initiatives.
One good practice comes from Ljubljana (SI) which created the LGBTIQ-friendly certificate (Certifikat LGBT prijazno) to promote inclusive workplaces and customer environments. A local NGO delivers a 4-hour seminar for staff, and certified organisations receive a charter from the mayor, along with stickers and posters to visibly show their commitment to LGBTIQ inclusion.
Another example from Paris (FR) involves measures to support trans employees as part of the city’s LGBTIQ action plan. Since 2022, staff can use their chosen name and pronouns without legal changes. Managers receive guidance materials, teams can attend awareness workshops, and a free e-learning course on trans inclusion was launched on Trans Visibility Day 2023.
Explore the colours of the rainbow
The Rainbow Cities Network and other initiatives featured here aim to ensure no one is left behind because of their identity or sexual orientation. We invite you to read the guidelines and see which are valuable for your city. You can also get in touch with the RCN via this formulaire!
Want to know more about URBACT’s work with cities on LGBTIQ-related issues? Explore the latest selection of URBACT Good Practices tackling urban challenges like mobility, gender equality and social inclusion. You can also visit the Knowledge Hug on Gender Equality to follow the latests news and information on this matter.
Get expert insights in ‘Feeling seen: gender-inclusive mobility solutions for cities’ and ‘Involving the LGBTQI+ community in local night policy: the Parisian model’.
