Green Euro MP Jean Lambert will tomorrow call for progress on LGBT rights as she pledges her support for the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). She has called on the European Commission to implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation after it indicated earlier this month that it may scale-back its proposals to only cover disability.
Over 75 countries around the world still punish men, women and children for their sexuality and homophobia causes misery for LGBT communities in many more.
Jean Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, condemned such actions, saying:
"While the UK has made significant progress in creating equality before the law, many European citizens still suffer homophobic attacks, abuse and mistreatment. It is essential that Governments across Europe now implement legislation to protect people from discrimination because of their sexuality.
"IDAHO gives us all the opportunity to celebrate diversity. The European Union should now ensure that all LGBT individuals can live free from oppression. I urge everyone who is supporting IDAHO 2008 to also sign the stop discimination petition."