17 May 2019<\/p>\n
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) – an occasion to celebrate LGBTI+ people around the world and recognise their struggles for equality.<\/p>\n
Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP<\/strong><\/span>, said:<\/p>\n “During my 20 years as an MEP, it has been a privilege to see the European Parliament take steps towards protecting LGBTI+ rights\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>– from implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights, to combatting discrimination in the workplace.<\/p>\n But despite this progress, we still have a mountain to climb when it comes to countering homophobia, transphobia and biphobia – both outside the EU, and much closer to home.<\/p>\n It\u2019s horrifying that attacks on the LGBTI+ community in my constituency of London have almost doubled since 2014 [1]. Last year saw an unprecedented number of anti-LGBTI+ attacks in France [2], while legal protections for vulnerable groups in many other EU countries have slipped back [3].”<\/p>\n The EU must throw its weight behind new legislation to counter these threats. It must urgently expand current rights and protections, and finally implement a comprehensive anti-discrimination directive banning discrimination in all areas of social life.<\/p>\n I pledge to keep the spirit of IDAHOBIT alive 365 days a year – standing in solidarity with the LGBTI+ community worldwide, and calling out discrimination against these groups wherever it is found.”<\/i><\/p>\n Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n [1] https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/av\/uk-england-london-44729064\/lgbt-hate-crime-on-the-rise-in-london<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n [2] https:\/\/www.pinknews.co.uk\/2019\/05\/14\/anti-lgbt-attacks-france-2018\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n