For the first time since the last European elections, all five mainstream political groups in the European Parliament have united to adopt a resolution to condemn homophobic laws – and biphobic, transphobic and homophobic discrimination in Europe.
With support of the conservative EPP, social democrat S&D, liberal ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL it passed by a large majority (430 for, 105 against),
In today’s resolution, the European Parliament “strongly condemns any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity”.
The Parliament adopted its official position after a debate on Tuesday, where MEPs almost unanimously asked the European Commission and European governments to better protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The resolution particularly condemns recent laws or proposals in EU countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary) and Council of Europe Member States Russia, Ukraine and Moldova, making it a penal or criminal offence to talk positively about homosexuality in public.
These laws and proposals consider “gay propaganda” any support, tolerance or acceptance of LGBT people. They have already been used to arrest and fine citizens, and legitimise homophobia and sometimes violence, as was the case in Kiev and Saint Petersburg.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament, commented: ”Such a huge support from across political groups shows that homophobes are losing their ground in Europe.
“Politicians in Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova should take note: all political families in Europe find it unacceptable to limit freedom of expression as they do. We will not rest until these laws are repealed, and LGBT people in these countries can live without fear.”
