Resolution on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone

The European Parliament adopted by 492 votes to 141, with 46 abstentions, a resolution on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and the Left groups.

As a reminder, more than 100 Polish regions, counties and municipalities have adopted resolutions since March 2019 declaring themselves to be free from LGBTIQ ideas. Local governments are called on to refrain from encouraging tolerance towards LGBTIQ people and to cut financial assistance to organisations promoting non-discrimination and equality.

The resolution also noted the deteriorating situation in Hungary. In November 2020, the town of Nagykáta adopted a resolution banning the dissemination and promotion of LGBTIQ propaganda.

In this resolution, Parliament declared the European Union as an ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’ and denounced all forms of violence or discrimination against persons on the basis of their sex or sexual orientation.

Members stressed that LGBTIQ persons everywhere in the EU should enjoy the freedom to live and publicly show their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics without fear of intolerance, discrimination or persecution on those grounds.

However, LGBTIQ persons in every Member State still face a higher rate of discrimination in all areas of life, including at work and at school, and a high prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual attacks, both online and offline, which leads to a worrying suicide rate among young LGBTIQ people, and especially among young transgender people. Several Member States have updated legislation so as to be more inclusive of LGBTIQ persons. There are nevertheless several legislative gaps that require political will and commitment by national legislators so as to ensure true equality for LGBTIQ people