Spokeperson of the French government : "France as being at the forefront of the promotion of LGBT rights in Europe"
The French Minister in charge of Women’s rights and spokesperson of the Government, Najat Vallaud Belkacem has presented on 31 October an extensive plan to fight against homophobia. She foresees France as being at the forefront of the promotion of LGBT rights in Europe.
This plan results from a wide consultation process launched by the French government in September, in which many French LGBT rights organisations were involved as well as ILGA-Europe.
It addresses various issues faced by LGBT people like school bullying, hate crime, discrimination in the field of employment or healthcare, recognition of families etc.
The Minister has already announced a series of specific measures. Hate crime incidents targeting LGBT people will be collected and a report will be published annually to monitor them. In addition, police officers and prosecutors will be trained to make sure that victims are given the appropriate support.
Textbooks and curricula will be reviewed to ensure that they address LGBT issues. Moreover, measures will be proposed in 2013 aiming at preventing suicide among young LGBT people.
A working group on sects has been assigned the task of exploring the growing trend of ‘conversion therapies’.
Organisations representing same-sex parents will be allowed to take part in official family organisations representatives bodies to make sure that their voice are heard.
At the international level, France will take part in an EU LGBT action plan and French embassies will support LGBT rights organisations operating abroad.
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Read more on the website of Najat Vallaud Belkacem (only in French)
