New FRA-Report on Homophobia and Discrimination on grounds of Sexual Orientation
In many EU countries Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals (LGBT) are still facing discrimination in their every day lives. In order to substantially discuss the need for a “horizontal directive” on all discrimination grounds, the European Parliament saw the necessity to prepare a comprehensive study on homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. Thus, a report covering the EU 27 was put in place to prepare a comprehensive comparative analysis looking at the legal and sociological aspects of issues affecting LGBT people in the European Union. The report on ‘Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation’ issued by European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights is the first of two reports related to homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
According to the key findings of the report, 18 out of 27 EU Member States have already gone beyond the minimum requirements of EU anti-discrimination legislation and have provided for legal protection against discrimination in the areas of employment, access to public goods and services, housing and social benefits. However, the report identifies differences in treatment and protection by the law for LGBT people and a lack of full and equal enjoyment of rights in areas of EU competence particularly with regard to same sex partnerships. It also emphasizes that homophobic hate speech and hate crime hinders individuals to move safely and to exert other rights in a non-discriminatory manner. The report concludes that more comprehensive legal protection, as well as wider powers and resources for equality bodies are required.
