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This is the first time that the EU has developed a strategy for the rights of LGBTQI people. The results were presented on Thursday and focus on four areas: fighting discrimination, ensuring safety, building inclusive societies and defending LGBTQI rights around the world.
“The strategy urges all member states that do not have a national LGBTQI gender equality strategy to adopt one”says EU Commissioner for Gender Equality Helena Dalli in the press release.
This is how the EU wants to protect LGBTQI people
EU parliamentarian Alice Bah Kuhnke (MP), leader of the Green Parties group in the Gender Equality Committee, calls the news “a serious blow to the dark forces of the EU.”
“When LGBTQ-free zones cover a third of the surface of Poland and when Viktor Orban from Hungary restricts the rights of transgender people, the outside world cannot let it go unnoticed”he says in a comment.
The strategy presents proposals for amended laws, but itself lacks mandatory legislation, something Alice Bah Kuhnke considers necessary.
“There are many promising parts of the strategy, but now we must ensure that we move from words to action. A horizontal bill that broadens the concept of family and recognizes rainbow families across the EU is a long-awaited reform. At the same time, threats and hate crimes will become a crime across the EU, which is a big step forward, ”he says.
LGBTQI is a term for gay, bisexual, transgender people, people with queer expressions and identities, and intersex people, RFSL explains.
The strategy in brief
Fight against discrimination
43 percent of LGBTQI people in the EU feel discriminated against, according to the European Commission. The new strategy focuses primarily on discrimination in the workplace and proposes laws that strengthen gender equality authorities.
Security guarantee
LGBTQI people are disproportionately affected by hate crimes and, in 2021, these crimes will be classified as so-called “EU crimes”. Money will also be set aside for projects against hate crimes.
Build inclusive communities
The European Commission will present bills to legalize same-sex marriage across the EU. It will help rainbow families to move around different countries and still have the same rights.
Defend LGBTQI rights around the world
The EU must also defend LGBTQI rights in countries outside the Union. They will be carried out through various international EU programs, which already exist.
Meet the division 7 men’s team: Stockholm Snipers, which is the first LGBTQ team in league games in Sweden.
