NEW REPORT REVEALS HOMOPHOBIA AND DISCRIMINATION STILL COMMON ACROSS EUROPE

Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP, has welcomed a new report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, assessing the extent of homophobia and discrimination across Europe.

Green Members of the European Parliament initially pushed for the research report to be carried out to provide a true picture of the situation across Europe to inform policy aimed at tackling discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

The report entitled Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States: The Social Situation, will be presented to the European Parliament's Civil Liberties committee on Tuesday 31 March.

The report shows that the current human rights situation for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgender persons is worrying. According to NGOs and other stakeholders, many LGBT persons still experience discrimination, bullying, harassment and even physical attacks.

Attitudes towards transgender persons were found to be significantly more negative than attitudes towards lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. It also found that homophobic and transphobic crime, like other forms of hate crime, frequently goes unreported as in most Member States such crimes are not recorded or taken seriously.

Jean Lambert MEP, who is a Member of the Civil Liberties Committee and the cross-party Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, said:

"It is disheartening to find that homophobia is still rife in many European countries. Incidences of hate crime still take place, bullying still exists at schools, harassment is still encountered in the workplace and, in retirement homes, there is little awareness of LGBT persons' needs.

"Under such circumstances people are afraid to come out and being 'invisible' becomes a survival strategy. This situation is simply unacceptable.

"European legislation is helping to move forward the political dialogue, but in many countries same-sex relationships are still not legally recognized and this also leads to problems if couples move within the EU.

"What we need now is for political leaders at EU and national level to take a firm stance against homophobia and discrimination against LGBT and trans-gendered persons to help create a positive shift in public attitudes and behaviour."

Later this week, the European Parliament will vote on a new report by Green MEP, Kathalijne Buitenweg, on the proposed anti-discrimination Directive.

Jean Lambert MEP continued:

"I hope that all MEPs will take this opportunity to vote in favour of the report to ensure that new, wide-ranging and progressive anti-discrimination legislation is developed as soon as possible."