The Rainbow Cities Network (RCN) is a global network of cities that work together to promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. Founded in 2012 by the cities of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Cologne and Turin, the network was registered as an independent organization on July 8, 2019. Currently, the network has over 60 member cities from 22 countries, primarily in Europe. Recognition and status The Rainbow Cities Network has observer status with the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (ADI-SOGIESC).
In 2015, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 380, which encourages local and regional authorities to "share examples of good practice with other local and regional authorities, for example through networks such as the Rainbow Cities Network."
That same year, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Flavia Pansieri cited the network as an example of how local initiatives can transform national debates on combating homophobia and transphobia. Activities The network's members work together by sharing good practices, establishing joint initiatives, and working on LGBTI policy development. An annual meeting is hosted by a member city every year, and an annual photo exhibition for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) occurs on May 17.
With financing from the European Commission, the network produced Rainbow Cities in Action: Policy Guidelines for Municipalities, a publication providing guidance for local governments on implementing LGBTI-inclusive policies. Governance RCN member cities are represented by staff members of city administrations. The network is managed by a managing director and administered by a board of member cities. As of 2025, the board includes Hanover (Chairperson), São Paulo, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Cork, Paris, and Barcelona. Research A 2025 study in the journal Global Constitutionalism examined the Rainbow Cities Network as a case of norm stabilization in international relations. The study identified three activities through which RCN contributes to preventing norm decay: supporting norms in discourse and practice, establishing connections between related norms, and including affected stakeholders in policy discussions.
RCN is included in a 2025 dataset of 131 transnational municipal networks compiled by Pier Domenico Tortola.
Members As of June 2026, there are 62 member cities: City Country Joined Notes Aarhus April 2019 Amsterdam June 2012 Founding member Barcelona June 2011 Founding member Basel March 2026 Bergen October 2017 Berlin March 2012 Bern August 2018 Bordeaux July 2021 Braunschweig Bregenz Bremen Bruges September 2014 Brussels-Capital Region March 2014 Cologne February 2012 Founding member Copenhagen December 2021 Cork June 2020 Esch-sur-Alzette January 2014 Frankfurt February 2020 Geneva August 2012 Genk April 2023 Ghent October 2014 Giessen July 2023 Hamburg July 2016 Hanover May 2013 Hasselt Heidelberg September 2020 Helsinki July 2021 Kortrijk September 2021 Kotor February 2020 Lausanne April 2023 Leuven April 2014 Lille March 2022 Linz October 2020 Ljubljana July 2013 Luxembourg June 2025 Mainz Mannheim December 2015 Mechelen Mexico City August 2014 Montpellier June 2023 Montreal May 2022 Munich May 2012 Munster January 2025 New Taipei City January 2021 Nuremburg November 2017 Oldenburg July 2023 Oslo June 2017 Osnabrück September 2025 Ostend August 2021 Paris August 2018 Podgorica Reykjavík July 2019 Roeselare January 2023 Rotterdam January 2017 San Francisco January 2023 São Paulo August 2014 Taipei October 2020 The Hague February 2025 Vienna September 2012 Wiesbaden June 2021 Zagreb October 2025 Zurich September 2012
See also LGBT rights in Europe Council of Europe Mayors for Peace References