A resolution adopted today resolved that the EU should draw up a roadmap to protect the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people
In a 2013 EU LGBT survey, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency found that 47% of LGBT people felt discriminated against or harassed and 26% were physically attacked or threatened with violence in the previous five years.
"Homophobia must not be tolerated in Europe any more. So many of us lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people have lived our lives in fear for too long. Fear of holding hands on the street, fear of being called names, fear of being thrown out of our houses, schools or jobs. My report says the EU must act on this, so that we, too, may enjoy the rights guaranteed to all in the EU", said Ulrike Lunacek.
The parliament’s resolution, passed by 394 votes to 176, with 72 abstention.
Hate crime
The current EU framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law should be revised to include bias crime and incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Transgender persons
MEPs say that member states should "introduce or review legal gender recognition procedures so they fully respect transgender people's right to dignity and bodily integrity", e.g. to preclude any requirement for them to undergo sterilization. They add that the Commission should continue to work with the World Health Organization to stop considering transgender individuals mentally ill.
