MEP for LGBTI Issues in the European Union Intergroup on LGBT Rights

In Parliament, LGBTI interests are represented by chose to move to another EU member state. the Intergroup on LGBT Rights. This is a group made While legislating on issues such as equal marriage is up to individual member states, a cross-border agreement on up of supportive MEPs. Both SNP members of the respecting and recognising these rights is required. , Alyn Smith and are part of it and it is the largest Intergroup in the 4. Secure transgender rights Parliament. In 2014 the EU Fundamental Rights Agency published the widest reaching and most comprehensive At the time of the 2014 European Parliament study into the experience of trans people election, the Intergroup determined six ever carried out in Europe. Speaking to key issues for LGBTI people that the trans people of all ages across all 28 new Parliament should work on. Some member states, the findings did not action has been taken on these paint a positive picture. Over half of issues but over the next five years of trans people have been harassed or this parliament, more must be done discriminated against, over a third to ensure that these issues are feel the need to hide their gender in acted upon. public or at home, and just under a third have been subjected to or 1. Decisive EU action against threatened with physical or sexual discrimination violence. Furthermore, 12 countries The EU has comprehensive equality in the EU still require trans people policies on disability, gender to undergo sterilisation before legal equality, and Roma integration, recognition of their gender. While but none for sexual orientation this is not the case in Scotland, we or gender identity. Furthermore, must work to ensure this practice EU law outlaws discrimination on ends. sexual orientation in employment— 5. Tackle discrimination in yet in education, social protection, access to health healthcare, and access to goods and services this is still not the Often LGBTI individuals face case. obstacles when accessing health services, including public 2. Common EU rules against healthcare. This is notably the hate crime case for transgender individuals; In Scotland we have put in place sex workers; gay men; and LGBTI strong measures against hate- "LGBT rights in the EU (2013-07)" by Wdcf - Inkscape. people from vulnerable groups, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons crime but much of Europe lags such as younger people or people behind. A quarter of all LGBTI people in Europe have been from a migrant background. EU action in the field of health attacked or threatened due to their sexual orientation or gender should seek to reduce discrimination, in partnership with identity and while EU law mandates for higher penalties for healthcare services and charities. racist and xenophobic speech and crime since 2008, it sets no 6. Promote the rights of LGBTI people abroad. standards for homophobic or transphobic speech and crime. This must be changed to ensure that LGBTI people have the While LGBTI rights are advancing in much of the world, same protections. especially in Europe, in many countries this is not the case, and indeed in some the situation is getting worse. Since this 3. Free movement of LGBTI individuals and their families parliament was elected last year, MEPs have condemned the While there is free movement of people within EU member worsening situation for LGBTI people in Russia, spoken out states, the status of couples and families is not free and against violence and discrimination against LGBTI people in universal. Marriages and civil partnerships legal in one country Iraq, and legislated to ensure human rights, especially of LGBTI may not be recognised in another. Adoption rights also vary people, are put at the heart of the EU’s global development across the EU, potentially posing problems for families who strategy. Get Informed It’s easy to keep in touch about Alyn’s work on your behalf and alynsmithSNP on LGBTI developments in Europe:

[email protected] @AlynSmithMEP Techcube, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL www.alynsmith.eu

LGBTI Rights in the Equal Marriage European Parliament in Europe The SNP manifesto for the 2014 European Since Hogmanay, same sex marriages have Parliament election promised to put been carried out in Scotland. We have one equality at the heart of all EU policy and of the most progressive laws, passing with to protect the fundamental rights off all the third strongest majority of any same sex citizens, especially those of minority and marriage law in the world. disadvantaged groups. We work hard in There are now ten countries in Europe which have legislated Europe to ensure that this happens. for same sex marriage with four more currently in the planning stages. Nine countries have constitutional bans on same sex SNP MEPs are committed to advancing the cause of equality marriage but one of them, Ireland will hold a referendum on the both at home in Scotland, in Europe, and across the world. issue in May. So far, polls are showing public opinion on the side In the European Parliament we stand up for LGBTI rights of equality so Ireland could soon be joining the whenever we can, whether that is passing laws, condemning list of countries to outlaw marriage discrimination, or choosing which countries we do business discrimination. with. The European Union has strong policies in place to ensure that equality is always given priority in any legislation but there is always more that can be done. About Alyn Alyn Smith is one of two SNP MEPs elected to represent Scotland. Alyn was first elected in 2004 and has been re-elected twice since then, in 2009 and 2014.

Alyn is a trustee of LGBT Youth Scotland and a director of Turning Point Scotland, a charity dealing with drug, alcohol, and mental health issues and homelessness. Alyn and his boyfriend Useful Links Jonathon live in Edinburgh. You can find out more about the work Alyn does, and sign up to www.lgbt-ep.eu get email updates by visiting his website: To learn more about the work of www.alynsmith.eu. the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights

www.Ilga-europe.org You’ll find more information on LGBTI issues in Europe at the ILGA Europe website

www.europarl.ep.ec To find out more about the work of the European Parliament generally