17/05/2024 Equality and Non-Discrimination | LGBTI
“There is an urgent need to act to guarantee equal rights, freedom and justice for all,” stressed Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALDE), PACE General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBTI people, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (17 May).
“Despite significant progress in recent years, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people across Europe still do not feel completely fully safe. Physical attacks, hate speech and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly have increased. These rights are not yet ring-fenced everywhere at the legislative level and equality has not yet been achieved,” she added.
“Anti-gender movements have undermined and attempted to pit struggles for women's rights and LGBTI rights against each other. The protection and promotion of women's rights and the rights of LGBTI people are not in opposition. On the contrary, they reinforce each other,” she continued.
“We must make equal rights, freedom and justice for all a reality, starting with making it a political priority in our parliaments. We have an obligation to prevent and fight against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and intersex-phobia as soon as they occur and to fight against prejudice and inequality. There will be no equality without respect for the rights of all. LGBTI people cannot be left behind in a just and democratic society,” she concluded.