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While Spain allows gay marriage, other nations, like Poland, stridently oppose such civil expansions. What, then, can progressive member states do? Nothing, says Vladimir Spidla, the Union's Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Speaking with The International Lesbian and Gay Association's Destination Equality, Spidla explained that while the Union this year called for all nations to take steps toward inclusive non-discrimination policies, it's up to the home government to determine their own course, especially in terms of same-sex unions, marriage and partnerships. |
» Cold Shoulder?
Why doesn't the European Union, which goes by the motto "United In Diversity," care about anti-gay violence in Sarajevo? Or, really, other member nations, like Poland. [UK Gay News] |
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Sick and tired of representing a homophobic country, Lithuanian foreign minister Petras Vaitiekunas spoke out against his nation's anti-gay ways this week: …Vaitiekunas told the national parliament Monday that the country's reputation for homophobia was justified. "This is true: Lithuania is one of the most homophobic countries in the EU. This has to be viewed as a fact," Vaitiekunas said. Or perhaps more people like Vaitiekunas. Or, dare we say, more involvement from the European Union, which should really be holding its members accountable for their actions. |
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» Check Yourselves!
"The European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights has condemned the violence at the Sarajevo Queer Festival yesterday as 'cowardly behaviour.' Michael Cashman Labour MEP for the West Midlands, said that Bosnia-Herzegovina must prove that it respects the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people if it is to stand a chance of becoming a member of the EU." [Pink News] |
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France is to call for a European Union drive to tackle violence against women worldwide and for the United Nations to step up action against homophobia, the French human rights minister said on Wednesday. The European Union, too, could use a bit more gay progress - countries like Turkey and Poland continue to repress the lavender set. |
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» East/West.
"Gays and lesbians in western Europe enjoy legal rights and levels of tolerance that would have been almost unthinkable 15 years ago. But in eastern Europe, hostility and discrimination against homosexuals still run deep." [Deutsche-Welle] |
» Favorites.
"European Union citizens would prefer to elect a gay leader than have one they consider too old, a study released in Brussels has revealed. According to the Eurobarometer study of 27,000 EU citizens across the bloc, just 17 per cent of Europeans would be totally comfortable with someone over the age of 75 in their country's highest elected post. That is less than half than the 36 per cent who would be at ease with a homosexual leader…" [The Age] |
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» Shut Down.
Hey, European Union, are you hearing this shit? "A Turkish court closed Istanbul's only gay rights association on Thursday after the prosecutor said it broke public morality laws. The prosecutor argued the association's aims broke the law for the protection of family and public morality, and a court ruled in favor of closing the association." [POQ] |
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The non-profit last month demanded that the nation cease-and-desist its anti-gay ways. Apparently the Turkish government didn't meet HRW's expectations, because they've today released a 123-page report highlighting human rights abuses against the homos. In addition to compiling a startling collection of violence - like trans people being raped by cops - HRW's urging the European Union to withhold Turkey's membership until they've cleaned up their act. |
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» Discuss…
The Council of Europe will hold Paris-based hearings this March to discuss the legality of gay marriage. [CWN] |
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Poland |
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"We will defend ourselves because it’s unthinkable that homosexuals would adopt children."
Via UK Gay News: If a similar judgment dealt with Poland we would still not agree to adoption by homosexuals”, said deputy speaker of the Polish Parliament, Stefan Niesiolowski, a member of the ruling Citizen’s Platform (PO). It's unthinkable that Poland considers it's above EU mandates! Aren't there laws against that? If not, there should be! |
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One Step Away From Being Full Blown Flamer!
Sure, its employment policies hinder some homo movement, but the international governing group just extended a bit of a queer olive branch: The European Union has become the first international body to have a treaty containing explicit language prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Britain and Poland refused to sign the Charter, for which they wanted a referendum. Spoil sports. |
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Hungary's left-of-center coalition government is reportedly considering legislation that would give limited rights to same-sex couples. And when the EU prods, small, post-socialist states listen. They don't always do the right thing, but they listen… |