04/02/2014 GREEN MEPs have won cross-party backing for a new EU ‘roadmap’ on eliminating all discimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

With intolerance on the rise across the EU, Greens called for an EU-wide action plan based on all Member States adopting a coherent approach – with the European Commission empowered to take concrete follow-up measures against countries that do not comply.

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament’s cross-party Intergroup on LGBT Rights, said:

“MEPs have today made clear that homophobia should no longer be tolerated in Europe. Despite EU legislation to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace, there is still massive discrimination, bullying and violence – in schools, workplaces and in everyday life situations. To address this, MEPs have today supported the call for an EU roadmap against homophobia and discrimination based on sexual identity.

“The European Commission must finally outline a coherent approach at EU level, with concrete action against this undermining of European values​​. The strong support from almost all political groups for this report shows that homophobic tendencies in Europe are losing ground and a large majority in Europe no longer wants to accept this intolerance. Homophobic laws are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in Europe.

“With LGBT rights in the spotlight as Russia hosts the Winter Olympics from this Friday, and London sees a major demonstration tomorrow (Wednesday), the issue is timely – and now is the time to act.”

The full report, drafted by Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, is available here .

Details of the London demonstration can be found here.