EU declared ‘LGBT freedom zone’ after Poland’s ‘LGBT free zone’
Friday, 12 March 2021 (14:59 IST)
The European Parliament passed a resolution declaring the European Union a “LGBTIQ freedom zone.”
The measure seeks to ensure protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities across the bloc, while also pushing back against member states with anti-LGBT+ policies.
What does the resolution say?
“LGBTIQ rights are human rights,” the resolution reads. The measure passed with the support of 492 lawmakers, while 141 voted against and another 46 abstained.
The cross-party measure targets “growing hate speech by public authorities and elected officials,” according to the text.
The resolution specifically called out Polish President Andrzej Duda, who won re-election last summer after often speaking out against LGBT+ rights, and depicting members of the community as a threat to families.
Hungary was also highlighted in the resolution for having “severely hindered” fundamental rights due to a de facto ban on legal gender recognition for transgender and intersex people.
The resolution not only focused on Poland and Hungary, but also criticized other alleged discriminatory legislation and practices across the 27-nation bloc.
“While LGBTIQ persons in Poland face systematic discrimination, this is also an issue across the EU, with little to no progress being made in alleviating the persistent discrimination against and harassment,” it said.
