Luxembourg City (HELVILUX) — On 27 June 2025, one of the LGBTIQ+ Freedom Zone decorations installed by the Commune of Sanem during Pride Month and Luxembourg Pride Week was vandalised by unknown perpetrators in Rue de la Croix in Soleuvre. The incident prompted an official statement from the Sanem municipal authorities and widespread public expressions of support for the LGBTQ+ community and condemn the act. More recently, however, the situation has taken a different turn.
An example sticker printed in the magazine reads, alongside rainbow flags and other LGBTQ+ symbols, have been affixed across public spaces in Luxembourg. While a single sticker may be perceived as a political statement, locals, including some who express no objection to LGBTQ+ rights have described the mass placement of identical stickers on walls, street furniture and other surfaces as vandalism. ADR deputy Fred Keup has seized on the issue, elevating it into a broader national controversy.
A recent parliamentary question (No. 3308) Click here to read the letter, submitted by ADR deputy Fred Keup has sparked debate over state support for the LGBTQ+ magazine queer.lu, which receives co-funding from both the Ministry of State and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity.
Keup raised concerns about several articles and visuals featured in the magazine’s autumn edition, arguing that certain content may conflict with municipal regulations or contribute to political polarization. Among the elements highlighted is a recommendation encouraging readers to order and distribute stickers from left-wing collectives in public spaces. One example shown in the magazine reads: “DIE (sic!) FINANCIAL CENTER.” According to Keup, widespread sticker placement would constitute “uncontrolled use of public space,” which is subject to local rules governing public displays.
As per Keup, Another point of contention is a sign printed in the magazine bearing the message “Shut up.” Keup questioned how such wording fits within the context of an LGBTQ+ publication and whether taxpayer money should support material he considers politically charged or potentially polarizing.
Regarding this topic when Helvilux media contacted Mr. Keup, He argues that the magazine queer.lu (which receives state funding) published content that encourages readers to put stickers in public spaces, even though many municipalities have rules forbidding this.
He raised a question, Why is the state financially supporting a publication if that publication encourages people to break municipal regulations?
Keup also refers to the satirical sticker “STIERW FINANZPLAZ / Die Financial Center” (a fictional protest sticker used as part of an illustrated comic). He considers this content: to be anti–financial sector and therefore “hateful” toward a major pillar of Luxembourg’s economy. Therefore Why is the state funding content that is hostile to an essential sector of the country’s economy?
Keup also questions why a queer publication, funded to promote LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, is publishing content that comments negatively on the financial center. This topic has nothing to do with LGBTQ+ rights, so “Why is taxpayer money used to fund political or ideological messages unrelated to LGBTQ+ concerns?
The ministrie of Gender Equality have not yet issued a public response to the inquiry. The debate touches on broader questions about the balance between government support for civil society organizations, freedom of expression within publicly funded media, and compliance with local regulations.
Helvilux also contacted the Ville de Luxembourg and other municipality in Luxembourg to obtain information about the laws governing vandalism in public spaces, including the illegal placement of posters, stickers or other graffiti, as well as the total amount in fines issued to offenders so far. We also asked what measures are being taken to prevent future vandalism. However, by the time this article went to press, we had not yet received a response. If we receive a response from them at a later date, we will publish it for our readers.
Rising Hostility Towards the LGBTIQ+ Community
Approximately 180 fines issued for homophobic incidents (classified under “discrimination”) between 2022 and 2024, showing a clear upward trend. 37 cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation reported between 2020 and 2023 (out of 950 total cases handled), with a noted rise in recent years. 52 convictions for incitement to hatred over the past five years (up to 2025), with additional cases under investigation.
In a 2023 incident highlighting rising political tensions, the Fokus party reported that several of its campaign posters were vandalised with racist insults targeting candidates with non-traditional Luxembourgish names. Party leader Frank Engel condemned the attacks as “blind xenophobia” and announced he would file a police complaint, stressing that Luxembourg’s municipalities are built on migration and diversity. The vandalism comes shortly after a dead cat was discovered on a Green Party election poster in Echternach, ahead of the municipal elections on 11 June.
In year 2024, Tensions surrounding LGBTQ+-related events resurfaced as drag performer Tatta Tom and former ADR candidate Tom Weidig faced off in an RTL debate. Weidig, whose earlier social media posts had fuelled a wave of online hate against Tatta Tom, argued that the performer’s colourful character was inappropriate for schools and compromised institutional neutrality. Hecker insisted that Tatta Tom is a harmless, exaggerated fairy-tale figure meant to make reading sessions more engaging. The exchange broadened into wider disputes over LGBTQ+ visibility, with Weidig expressing concerns about what he termed a rise in “transsexuality,” while Hecker countered that openness helps young people better understand themselves. The debate highlighted how cultural programming in schools has increasingly become a flashpoint for political and social tensions in Luxembourg.
A lack of progress in improving LGBTQ+ rights in Luxembourg has caused the country to fall to seventh place in an international ranking, after previously holding a top position of third in 2021.
This year, On 8 February 2025, ADR MP Tom Weidig faced strong criticism after “liking” a Facebook comment calling for the extermination of LGBTIQ+ people, posted under his own transphobic statement congratulating former U.S. President Trump on banning transgender athletes from team sports. Rosa Lëtzebuerg (an asbl who organise Luxembourg pride) condemned both the post and Weidig’s interaction with the hate speech, noting that his later apologies appeared reactive rather than sincere. The association has filed a police complaint regarding the comment and Weidig’s endorsement, and is calling for his resignation.
The decline continued in the 2024 edition of the Rainbow Europe Index, published by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). While Luxembourg allows people to legally change their gender based on self-determination, making it one of only 11 countries in the index to do so it still does not recognise a third gender or non-binary identities. Click link to read the news.
Luxembourg Government Leaders: Longstanding Supporters of LGBTIQ+ Rights
Far from remaining neutral, Luxembourg’s current and recent governments have been among Europe’s most proactive in advancing LGBTIQ+ equality. The coalition of the Democratic Party (DP) and the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), in power since November 2023, has explicitly reaffirmed and expanded previous progressive policies.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden (CSV)
As Finance Minister in earlier cabinets, he supported the 2014–2015 same-sex marriage and adoption laws. In 2025 his government adopted the revised National Action Plan for the Promotion of the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer Persons (2025–2029), which includes a nationwide ban on conversion therapies and strengthened measures against hate crimes.
Xavier Bettel (DP) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Media and Culture
Openly gay former Prime Minister (2013–2023). Under his leadership Luxembourg legalised same-sex marriage (2015), joint adoption, and access to medically assisted reproduction for female couples. He became the first EU head of government to marry a same-sex partner while in office (2015) and has repeatedly condemned anti-LGBTIQ+ policies in Hungary, Poland and elsewhere.
Yuriko Backes (DP) – Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity
Presented the 2025 National LGBTIQ+ Action Plan, reformed the inter-ministerial committee on LGBTIQ+ rights, and increased structural funding for organisations such as Rosa Lëtzebuerg and CIGALE.
Claude Meisch (DP) – Minister of Education, Children and Youth
Has repeatedly defended the inclusion of sexual and gender diversity topics in school curricula and teacher training, stating in 2025 parliamentary debates that “education about diversity is the best weapon against prejudice”.
Martine Deprez (CSV) – Minister for Family Affairs and Integration
Oversees intersex policy and family-rights extensions; secured funding for the new Rosa Lëtzebuerg community centre opened in 2024.
François Koepp – Former Minister of Justice
Continues enforcement of strengthened hate-crime legislation and the 2018 legal gender-recognition reform based on self-determination (no surgery or sterilisation required).
The government by presenting an updated national action plan for LGBTIQ+ people, which includes drafting a law to ban conversion therapy and prohibiting non-consensual medical interventions on intersex children. The plan outlines 147 measures ranging from improved protections in schools and workplaces to introducing a “neutral” gender option on identity documents and reassessing blood-donation rules based on individual risk rather than sexual orientation. Minister Yuriko Backes stressed that Luxembourg, despite progress, has not been spared from rising anti-LGBTQ+ hostility, citing new survey data showing high levels of discrimination and underreporting due to mistrust in the justice system.
In response to the ongoing national debate triggered by ADR MP Fred Keup’s parliamentary question about state-funded stickers and alleged vandalism, the HELVILUX investigative team contacted Simone Asselborn – Bintz, Mayor of Sanem, the very commune where the vandalised LGBTIQ+ board sparked the latest wave of tensions.
Mayor also said, “I personally advocate for supporting the LGBTIQ+ communities and, as mayor, I am glad that the municipality joins in this effort. We see ourselves as allies and stand for a respectful, inclusive coexistence. The magazine queer.lu plays an important role in this: it provides a platform and a voice for LGBTIQ+ individuals, informs, raises awareness, and makes a valuable contribution to constructive societal dialogue. The sticker campaign by Richtung22 should be understood as a creative, artistic form of protest against inhumane messages and is intended to protect those affected. Even if the motivation is understandable and well-intentioned, actions in public spaces should ideally comply with the applicable legal regulations.”
The Mayor of Sanem provided further information regarding the publication queer.lu: “Anyone who reads the entire magazine quickly recognizes that it addresses numerous socially relevant topics from the perspective of the LGBTIQ+ communities. The articles are researched and written both by journalists and by members of the community, authentically reflecting the diversity of their life realities. It is personally very important to me that all people regardless of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or age can live in our municipality and in our country in peace and mutual respect. The municipality of Sanem is proud to be an LGBTIQ+ Freedom Zone. In 2024, we designated our first Safe Space in Matgesfeld, and our events are explicitly open to everyone.”
queer.lu publishes a quarterly magazine focused on LGBTQ+ issues, culture, and rights advocacy. The publication has long received government support as part of Luxembourg’s efforts to promote equality, diversity, and representation of marginalized groups.
LGBTIQ+ Freedom Zone – Sanem
On 18 June 2021, the municipal council of Sanem (Suessem) unanimously declared the entire commune an “LGBTIQ+ Freedom Zone” – one of the first municipalities in the Grand Duchy to do so unanimously. Similar symbolic declarations have since been adopted by Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange and several others, often accompanied by permanent rainbow crossings and flag-raising policies during Pride season.
During Pride Month and Luxembourg Pride Week, the Commune of Sanem installed LGBTIQ+ Freedom Zone decorations across its four localities to promote openness and inclusion, and after one of these installations in Rue de la Croix in Soleuvre was vandalized over the weekend of 27 June 2025, the commune firmly condemning this unacceptable act filed a complaint and reiterated its unwavering support for the LGBTIQ+ community and its rejection of all forms of discrimination and dehumanizing behaviour.
The mayor’s nuanced position praising the magazine’s societal role while gently reminding activists to respect public-space regulations mirrors the stance taken by several other progressive municipalities and reflects the delicate balancing act many local leaders face amid rising polarisation.
HELVILUX also sought comment from the Rainbow Center (Centre LGBTIQ+ CIGALE / Rosa Lëtzebuerg), the organisation responsible for publishing queer.lu. In response, Rosa Lëtzebuerg and the editorial team of queer.lu provided the following statement: “In light of the recent parliamentary question concerning one of the comic strips published in queer.lu, Rosa Lëtzebuerg and the editorial team of queer.lu wish to clarify the nature of that content. The fictional comic strip in question (issue 8; pages 38/39) uses humour, exaggeration and playful references to queer sticker culture in order to explore themes of visibility, misinformation and the lived experiences of marginalized groups in public spaces. This parliamentary question therefore rests on a misreading of an artwork. It creates the impression of a legal issue where there is none, and it diverts attention from substantive political debate.“
They added, “queer.lu is an editorially independent publication which strives to reflect diverse voices and experiences from Luxembourg’s LGBTIQ+ community and interested citizens. To suggest that a fictional comic element constitutes a breach of public order rests on no legal background and strikes us a diversion. The editorial team of queer.lu finds it disquieting that ADR Mp Fred Keup appears to fabricate a connection between LGBTIQ+ people and vandalism, on the basis of a satirical artwork. Such an implication aims at intimidating our writers/contributors and muzzling their fundamental freedom of expression, as safeguarded by the country’s constitution. We cannot help but view this question within the broader pattern of right-wing populists rhetoric across Europe, where queer communities are increasingly portrayed as problematic in order to delegitimize their human rights. We remain committed to producing creative, thought-provoking community-driven journalism, and we trust the general public to recognise the difference between this fictional comic and a call for vandalism.”
Not just the LGBTIQ+ community are victims, but potentialy there are vandalism incidents were grafity, posters and stickers shows PRIDE or LGBTQ, FREEDOM wrote on it with Pride Flag color all over in Luxembourg. In 2023, there were more than 300 incidents just in 7 months of rise in acts of vandalism against state property in Luxembourg, in which some cases were LGBTQ flag color and messages was grafity on public benches or stickers of pride flag were sticked on public properties and public places. Overall vandalism matter Police registered a 44% rise in destruction or damage of public properties between 2019 and 2022. These broader trends in vandalism, encompassing graffiti, scratched exhibitions, and damaged infrastructure have intersected with LGBTQ+ themed activism, particularly around Pride events and symbolic displays.
The recent debate sparked by a satirical sticker illustration in queer.lu has reignited discussions on the blurred lines between advocacy and vandalism. While the depicted stickers such as “STIERW FINANZPLAZ,” critiquing the financial sector through a queer lens were intended as fictional protest art, the mass affixing of similar rainbow-themed stickers in public spaces has been labeled vandalism by critics, locals, and officials, leading to taxpayer-funded cleanup costs. This mirrors global patterns where Pride symbols become “soft targets” for both supportive overreach and backlash vandalism, with U.S. data showing spikes in anti-LGBTQ+ defacements of flags and murals in 2024–2025.
HELVILUX also took some general public statements in the name of anonymity. Most of them who have no problem with LGBTIQ+ community expressed that, “We are not supporting and not against them but we dont want our tax money to be spend on repairing the vandalism. LGBTIQ+ community will put there stickers all over the wall and then some will make graffiti against LGBTIQ+ at the end thats a vandalism and burden on tax payers pocket.” These sentiments, echoed in online forums and local surveys, highlight frustration over a perceived cycle. Activist displays invite counter-vandalism, escalating costs and polarization without addressing root causes like underreporting of hate crimes.
Broader Implications: Balancing Rights and Backlash
Helvilux also took some of the general public statement in the name of anonymity. Most of them who have no problem with LGBTIQ+ community expressed that, “We are not supporting them but also not against them. We dont want our tax money to be spend on repairing the vandalism. LGBTIQ+ commuty and other organisations will put there stickers, posters all over the public wall and then some will make graffiti against LGBTIQ+ at the end thats a vandalism and burden on tax payers pocket.”
One resident from Dudelange told Helvilux: “I’m just a normal, straight guy married, the usual. But honestly? Today in Luxembourg and in much of Europe, the ‘normal’ world feels completely broken. People are lonely, stressed, separated. Everyone is shouting, judging, cancelling each other. Then you look at the LGBTIQ+ community here, at least the people I’ve met at Pride events, in bars, or through friends and it’s totally different. They accept literally everyone. No matter how you look, where you’re from, or what baggage you carry, you’re welcomed with respect and calm behaviour. If the right-wing politicians in this country really think the LGBTIQ+ community is the problem, then fine let them build their perfect little village and show us that model. Let them show us a place where ordinary Luxembourgers, the so-called ‘normal’ people, get real psychological support, understanding, and actual happiness. Good luck with that. Because the truth nobody wants to say out loud? Even a lot of straight men and women here, when we feel lost, when no one else asks how we’re doing, when our own circles are cold or falling apart, we end up finding friends in the LGBTIQ+ community. Why? Because they don’t discriminate. They just open the door and say: ‘Come in, you’re safe here. ‘That‘s not ideology. That’s humanity.‘”
Graffiti is one of the different forms of vandalism. Even if it is done well, it constitutes an offence if the owner of the building has not given their permission in advance. This is always said and explained many times by Grand Dutch Luxembourg police.
A senior Luxembourgish journalist, speaking to Helvilux on condition of anonymity, criticised the direction of the debate, arguing that questioning state funding solely because of a publication’s editorial content risks setting a dangerous precedent. According to the journalist, similar concerns have arisen in the past when media outlets receiving public grants published stories critical of the government, prompting political inquiries that could create indirect pressure on press freedom. She added that there have also been cases in which high-profile figures, unhappy with media reporting, filed complaints with the Press Council cases that sometimes ended in out-of-court settlements before any judgment was reached raising further concerns about attempts to influence or intimidate the press. In some instances, the journalist noted, the news seems to “ghost” itself: articles disappear, links break in Google searches, and entire reports become difficult to trace, further limiting public access to critical information.
In this debate, Helvilux also chose to provide a comment. In its view, there are “many pressing issues in Luxembourg that political parties, including the ADR, could focus on in ways that would resonate strongly with the public.” The publication pointed to challenges such as homelessness among Luxembourgish and EU citizens, safety concerns around Luxembourg Central Station, and growing worries about the future of the Luxembourgish language amid calls to introduce English as a fourth national language. Helvilux argued that asylum seekers and undocumented migrants from third-world countries often receive emergency accommodation immediately, while Luxembourgish or EU citizens who suddenly find themselves homeless may face longer waiting times for support a situation it described as “not a fair deal and protection for taxpayers.”
The publication also criticised what it sees as insufficient transparency surrounding public spending on migration and asylum policies, saying these topics weigh heavily on parts of the middle-class population. It added that political attention to social stability, cultural preservation and community well-being “would give residents especially Luxembourgish middle-class families a sense of being listened to” and offer political parties an opportunity to engage constructively with local voters.
At the same time, Helvilux stressed that the growing number of vandalism cases (both in favor of and against LGBTIQ+ community), including sticker placements and graffiti, must be addressed seriously. Responsible authorities should identify and fine perpetrators, arguing that stricter enforcement would create a deterrent effect.
“Culprit will only think twice before sticking a sticker or spray-painting on public property if the laws in Luxembourg are strict and consistently enforced.”
