What the European Parliament has done for LGBT rights?
The European Parliament has been a principal driving force in bringing LGB rights onto the European political agenda.
Unfortunately, this is only partially true for transgender rights where much still remains to be done to increase awareness. With the exception of the Parliament’s 12 September 1989 resolution on discrimination against transsexuals and the inclusion of gender identity as grounds of asylum, transgender issues continue to be under-represented. The most groundbreaking advances for trans people in recent years have come through case-law at the European Courts, not from the Parliament or the other European institutions.
A cornerstone in the Parliament’s work for LGB rights was undoubtedly the Roth report and the subsequently adopted a resolution on equal rights for homosexuals and lesbians in the European Union (8 February 1994, read the report here). Since then, the European Parliament’s work for gays, lesbians and bisexuals has steadily increased. Basically, MEPs influenced the agenda on three different levels:
- By amending Commission legislation to reflect the interests of gays, lesbians and bisexuals (i.e. via directives etc.)
- By drafting reports or resolutions; though not legally binding they are important tools in the EU’s political context
- By monitoring the work of Council and Commission; one way to do so is through written questions
- By organising Public Hearings at the European Parliament to raise awareness and foster discussion.
European Parliament introduces sexual orientation and gender identity in revised EU directive on asylum
Today the European Parliament voted in favour of a report which contains a number of measures strengthening the applications from individuals claiming asylum in the European Union due to persecutions because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
