Trade union membership and heterosexist attitudes in Europe

This article investigates the attitudes of European trade union members towards LGBTQIA + people in the context of the recent (re)politicisation of gender and sexuality across Europe. Using, for 17 countries, data from the European Social Survey (2016–2024) and the European Values Study (2017), and an original post-electoral survey conducted in 2024 in France, Germany and Spain, we analyse how union membership relates to attitudes towards LGBTQIA + rights. The results show that union members are generally less hostile towards LGBTQIA + people than non-unionised employees. However, this relationship varies across countries but not necessarily across union organisations of the same country. These findings contribute to broader debates on political effects of trade unions, union identities and revitalisation strategies.