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A man is involved in an LGBTQ demonstration in Warsaw against the restrictive policies of the Polish government
Photo: Omar Marques / Getty Images
Gays, lesbians and other people from the LGBTQ community are still discriminated against in many European countries - including by law.
The European Union (EU) now wants to better protect the rights of people of different gender identities and sexual orientations.
The EU Commission presented a corresponding strategy paper in Brussels.
The five year concept addresses the inequalities and challenges that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people face.
Among other things, the EU Commission wants to intensify the prosecution of homophobic hate speech and hate crime in consultation with the EU states.
Adoption law should be improved
LGBTQ is an English abbreviation that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.
Often the variants LGBTQI or LGBTQIA + are also used.
Each letter stands for one's own gender identity or sexual orientation.
"I will not rest when it comes to building a union of equality."
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen
In addition to the fight against homophobia, adoption rights are also to be improved.
The legal recognition of parenthood from the LGBTQ community must be strengthened, it says in the paper - especially in situations in which the parents live or are at home in several countries across borders.
Same-sex parents are particularly concerned about enforcing the right to their child in countries where the adoption of children in LGBTQ relationships is not allowed.
Among other things, Germany still makes it difficult for same-sex couples to adopt children.
The individual points are not binding for the EU states.
The EU Commission wants to monitor the implementation and take stock in three years.
EU paper is primarily targeting Poland
In some European countries there is still open incitement against sexual minorities.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said during an election campaign in the summer: "They're trying to convince us that these are people. But it's just an ideology."
Several Polish communities, especially in the south-east of the country, have declared themselves "LGBT ideology-free" zones.
"I will not rest when it comes to building a union of equality," said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen (CDU).
An EU in which everyone can love whoever they want - without fear of accusations and discrimination.
Identity is not an "ideology".
"We are still a long way from the inclusion and acceptance that LGBTQI people deserve," admitted EU Commissioner for Gender Equality Helena Dalli.
Everyone in the EU should be allowed to feel free and safe without fear of discrimination or violence.
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mrc / dpa
