European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights publishes Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation in the EU Member States
The report identifies differences in treatment and protection by the law for LGBT people and a lack of full and equal enjoyment of rights in areas of EU competence particularly with regard to same sex partnerships.
The report also highlights that homophobic hate speech and hate crime represent obstacles to the possibility for individuals to exercise their free movement and other rights in a non-discriminatory manner. Homophobia could be combated more effectively using EU wide criminal legislation.
The report finds that 18 out of 27 EU Member States have already gone beyond the minimum requirements of EU anti-discrimination legislation and have provided for legal protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the areas of employment, access to public goods and services, housing and social benefits. The report welcomes this approach and encourages extending such provisions to all Member States.
The report concludes that more comprehensive legal protection, as well as wider powers and resources for equality bodies are required, and urges that the new measures on non-discrimination discussed by the EU will ensure this.
The report is available online on the FRA website:
