At their plenary session in Strasbourg on 8 February, MEPs demonstrated a strong willingness to strengthen measures to promote equality for LGBTIQ people within the European Union. By 392 votes to 119, with 32 abstentions, the European Parliament has approved a report on the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025. Submitted by José Gusmão (The Left, Portuguese), this text highlights major concerns and puts forward a number of significant proposals for improvement.
Rise in hate. And with good reason as during the debate preceding the vote on Wednesday 7 February, The Left MEP pointed out that, although the strategy presented by the Commission in November 2020 had offered hope to the community, there were still disparities in the reception of this action plan among the Member States.
Particular concern was expressed about the rise in hate speech and violence against LGBTIQ people, an observation shared by the Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli. According to Mr Gusmão, these phenomena are often fuelled by the extreme right.
Ban on conversion ‘therapy’. The report puts forward a number of specific proposals, including an inclusive approach to policy design and a ban on conversion ‘therapy’, supported by two amendments (amendments 4 and 5). They support the European citizens’ initiative for a binding legal ban on these therapy practices, registered on 24 January (see EUROPE 13335/38). Several MEPs, including Moritz Körner (Renew Europe, German) and Cyrus Engerer (S&D, Maltese), strongly supported the initiative during their speeches, stressing the need to protect LGBTIQ citizens.
Protection against genital mutilation. Another worrying issue is genital mutilation, particularly that affecting women and intersex people, as pointed out by Kim van Sparrentak (Greens/EFA, Dutch), who called for the protection of this vulnerable community. MEPs are calling for a ban on these practices.
Social protection issues. The text also highlights the gaps in social protection that disproportionately affect LGBTIQ people, particularly in terms of homelessness, employment, social protection and healthcare. This last point, already raised during the debates in the parliamentary committee, is supported by amendment 2, which was partially adopted. Isabel Santos (S&D, Portuguese) and Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, Finnish) stressed the importance of access to healthcare and adapted social services for LGBTIQ people, particularly the elderly.
Finally, the European Parliament is calling on the EU Council to make progress on the anti-discrimination legislation that has been blocked since 2008, which MEPs “regret”. It also stresses the importance of legally recognising same-sex marriages and partnerships, as well as rainbow parenthood, in all Member States, in accordance with human rights and EU case law.
The situation of LGBTIQ asylum seekers and the need to integrate their specific conditions into EU asylum and migration policy are also the subject of requests from the Parliament. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)