25 years ago, on 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) deleted homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. Since then, this day is considered as the World Day Against Homophobia, which also points out that the ban on discrimination against sexual minorities is untouchable fundamental right and it is connected to human dignity.

As several national and international documents, such as the Yogyakarta Principles which include relevant international human rights standards, also point out that the sexual orientation and gender identity are integral parts of human dignity, and they cannot be the basis for discrimination or abuse. The fundamental criterion for creating a tolerant and inclusive society is the unconditional respect for equal dignity.

Thematic researches of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights have shown that the sexual minorities often suffer from discrimination, physical or verbal atrocities. Therefore, many people are forced to live while hiding their identity – taking the latest survey done by the Fundamental Rights Agency as an example, 67% of the young respondents conceal their sexual orientation in front of their peers and teachers. As a result of hiding, the LGBTI people often do not turn to state institutions and authorities for redress of their grievances. The alarmingly high suicide rate of LGBTI people indicates the isolation and the failure of request for assistance as well.

In a constitutional state, the priority task of all state organs is to create a safe and inclusive environment for persons living on its territory regardless of their skin colour, age, sex, health conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any of their other protected characteristics - emphasized by the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, László Székely, on the occasion of the World Day Against Homophobia. Therefore, further efforts are needed to ensure that the principles declared a quarter century ago become every day's reality and the sexual minorities can indeed live as persons with equal dignity in Europe, as well as in Hungary and in their narrower environment.