Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, will speak out in support of equal rights for LGBT individuals across Europe, at London Pride 2008 this Saturday 5th July. London Pride is the largest Pride event in the UK and Ms Lambert will join over 500,000 people expected to take part.
This week the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new law which will provide protection from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, as well as age, disability and religion or belief, beyond the workplace.
The new legislation will bring anti-discrimination legislation on sexual orientation into line with existing laws on race, ethnic origin and gender.
Speaking ahead of the London Pride event, Jean Lambert MEP commented: "I am proud to be attending this event which celebrates the freedom of the LGBT community in this country. However, we must not be complacent about fighting for equal rights for all. In many countries across Europe people still face discrimination and abuse as a result of their sexual orientation. "This week the European Commission decided to proceed with new legislation which will protect all European citizens from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. This is a clear step towards also ensuring that all UK citizens can travel across Europe free from the fear of being harassed or unfairly treated because of prejudice and intolerance.” "The European Union has in this case acted on the demands of European citizens. It now remains to be seen whether all member states will support the new proposals."
Eurobarometer surveys show that a large majority of Europeans support such legislation. 77 per cent back measures to protect people from discrimination in education and 68 per cent in access to goods and services.