An International Conference organised in close co-operation with the Council of Europe on November 18 and 19 2011 at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg by l'Autre Cercle, France.

MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF REGISTERED PARTNERSHIPS AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGES IN EUROPE A RESTRICTION ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT ?

Married heterosexual couples constantly cross national borders within Europe without even a second thought. They are secure in the knowledge that their unions and the legal consequences of these unions are universally recognized

However, such is not the case for same-sex couples. Their right to freedom of movement is constantly ignored. Simply by crossing a national border, such couples may lose all their social and fiscal rights, their children may become orphans, they may even be prevented from obtaining official recognition of their couples or may lose their nationalities of birth.

It is precisely in order to discuss these unacceptable sexual-orientation-based discriminations that l’Autre Cercle, a national French LGBT association of professional men and women and a member of ILGA-Europe and EGMA is organising a two-day International Conference, in close co-operation with the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg. The choice of the city of Strasbourg is a highly symbolic one, because the city is home to several European Institutions, whose common mission is to guarantee the freedom and the rights of all European citizens.

The Autre Cercle Conference will enable participants to enrich their knowledge base on this important theme which has already been the subject of two half-day seminars organised by the European Parliament’s LGBT Intergroup and a Podcast released on June 1st by ILGA-Europe. This theme has also been complemented recently by a new consultation launched earlier this year by the European Commission following publication of a Green Paper on the mutual recognition of civil status documents.

Conference participants will be able to share the results of some ground breaking research on the cross-border rights of same sex partners conducted in 34 European countries, hear the testimonies of European same sex couples whose rights have been denied and learn how business and public organisations deal with the issue of international staff transfers where candidates for transfer live with their same sex partners.

For more information on the Autre Cercle Conference you can visit the conference website at www.mutualrecognition.eu where you can consult the detailed programme for the two days, read more about Strasbourg and how to get there and learn more about l’Autre Cercle.

It is necessary to register in order to attend the conference but there is no registration fee. Everything will be free (with the exception of meals for which you will be asked to pay).

You can register on-line at www.mutualrecognition.eu and you will, of course, receive an e-mail confirming that your registration has been recorded.

Capacity is limited, so please register today!

Deadline for conference registration : 4th November 2011

All of us at l’Autre Cercle are looking forward to welcoming you to the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg in November !