ILGA-Europe, the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association has stated that they are ready to work with the 215 MEPs from 8 different political groups who have signed their ComeOut pledge and thus promised to actively protect and progress the human rights of all LGBT+ people in Europe and beyond concretely at EU level.
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The ComeOut Pledge consists of the key issues ILGA want to see advanced at a European level, it includes actions such as completing the EU anti-discrimination law, combating homophobic and transphobic violence, and tackle inequalities in healthcare.
ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis has said:
“There is both a strong will and an urgent need for LGBT+ equality to be a definitive political priority over the next five years at EU level. This is clear, not just from the sheer number of MEPs who have pledged to work with us, but also from commitments made by the main political party leaders.
“A first crucial order of business is to harness all this support to make sure that LGBT+ equality features explicitly as a priority of the next EU Commission in the form of a robust and comprehensive EU strategy on LGBT+ human rights,”
The ComeOut pledge has recieved over 1650 signatures across all EU member states, showing growth in support for LGBT+ equality in the EU, amidst an increasingly polarised political climate.
“It is truly encouraging to see the large number of candidates from many different political groups who rallied around our call for equality. In today’s world, cross-party support is the best response to anyone who fuels polarisation and division. It is a clear sign that our work is about standing up for inclusive and fair societies.”
“We look forward to working with our ComeOut elected MEPs through a re-established LGBT+ intergroup which will not only ensure solid, strategic and meaningful collaboration across parties but also hopefully build strong alliances with other groups in the Parliament to secure human rights, freedom and equality for all in the EU.”
ILGA-Europe has urged European institutions to combat discrimination against all LGBT+ people and fight to advance the protection of the human rights of trans and intersex people, as well as raising protection for LGBT+ asylum seekers and support the work of all LGBT+ organisations and civil rights defenders.
For more information, you can contact Niamh Cullen by email at [email protected] or over the phone at +32 2 609 54 10.
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