On February 12, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution recognizing that transgender women are women.
The document was approved with 340 votes in favor, 141 against, and 68 members abstaining. The resolution, which includes recommendations for the EU, was adopted ahead of the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which will take place next month. In particular, it emphasizes the need for full recognition of trans women as women and their inclusion in policies on gender equality and combating violence. The document also addresses the need to establish mechanisms to monitor deviations from democratic standards and women’s rights and notes an increase in attacks on activists working to defend the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Most European Parliament resolutions are not legally binding, but they have a significant impact in EU member states and set the general political direction. This particular resolution stands in stark contrast to the transphobic policies of the United States, Hungary, and the British government led by the transphobic Prime Minister Keir Strummer.
