Press release: IDAHOBIT must always be an opportunity to give the community visibility
Brussels, 17 May 2020
On 17 May, the LGBTI community celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Interphobia (IDAHOBIT). The date marks an opportunity to remind publicly the political progress in securing rights for LGBTI persons, as well as the challenges they still face. The LGBTI Intergroup welcomes the celebration of this date and this year’s theme – “Breaking the Silence”.
On 14 May 2020, the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) published the EU LGBTI Survey II,[1] the world’s largest survey of its kind, which provides comparable data from almost 140.000 LGBTI people across the EU, the United Kingdom, North Macedonia and Serbia. The second edition of the survey included intersex persons and young people between 15-17.
Terry Reintke MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament, comments:
IDAHOBIT is an important date for the community yearly and 2020 is no different. The current context reminds us once more that activism and advocacy cannot be quarantined or silenced. We must remain vigilant to ensure no Member State usurps this period to backtrack on rights already secured. We will continue to fight in the Parliament so that discrimination is always denounced and to further secure the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex persons EU-wide.
Marc Angel MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament, comments:
The FRA Survey highlights why LGBTI rights need continued protection. Despite some Members States’ advances, the overall picture shows too little tangible progress and LGBTI persons are still vulnerable. Additionally, trans and intersex persons continue to face the most discrimination and violence and this is a testament to their generalised lack of recognition and protection. We need an Equal Treatment Directive to protect against discrimination beyond employment to ensure their proper protection.
Maria Walsh MEP, Vice-President of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament, comments:
Prides are a crucial part of the community’s public advocacy. They are opportunities for protest, mobilisation and activism. Yet, these year’s Prides are being shifted online. Despite these changes, we must not forget that IDAHOBIT is a global kick-off to Prides. On that note, the Global Pride[2] being organised on 27 June is a lesson in making Pride visible, accessible and resilient. We stand in solidarity with Pride organisers and this is why we are hosting an event tomorrow, 18 May, on this topic. We may not have the Parades this year, but Prides are still happening.
[1] FRA Survey II: https://fra.europa.eu/en/project/2018/eu-lgbti-survey-ii
[2] More information here: http://www.globalpride2020.org.
Press contacts:
Office of Terry Reintke MEP – Sebastian Fietkau (Sebastian.Fietkau@europarl.europa.eu)
Office of Marc Angel MEP – Lisa Kersch (Lisa.Kersch@europarl.europa.eu)
Office of Maria Walsh MEP – Ciara Murray (Ciara.Murray@mariawalsh.eu)
