Advancing LGBTI equality in the European Union #EU4LGBTI

EU legal basis to combat discrimination “…the Council, acting unanimously in accordance with a special legislative procedure and after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.” Article 19, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

EU legal basis to combat discrimination “Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.” Article 21, EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Key figures How do people feel about LGBTI individuals in the highest political office? Are EU citizens comfortable with LGBTI colleagues? Sources: Special Eurobarometer 437- Discrimination in the EU in 2015 and EU LGBT Survey, FRA, 2013

Key figures Percentage of LGBTI people experiencing discrimination in a one-year period How many people think that LGBTI people should have the same rights as heterosexual people? Sources: Special Eurobarometer 437- Discrimination in the EU in 2015 and EU LGBT Survey, FRA, 2013

EU ACTION FOR LGBTI EQUALITY Joint call by 15 Member States for EU-level approach (2013- 2014) European Parliament Roadmap against Homophobia (2014) Result: List of actions (December 2015) Actions endorsed by all 28 Member States in Council Conclusions on LGBTI equality (June 2016)

List of Actions to advance LGBTI equality I. Improving rights at EU level II. Strong monitoring and enforcement of existing rights III. Reaching out to citizens IV. Helping key actors to advance LGBTI equality V. Facts & Figures: Data collection VI. LGBTI equality outside the EU

I. Improving rights at EU-level Proposed equal treatment directive Proposal to strengthen rules on vulnerable applications in reform of Common European Asylum System Regulation simplifying the circulation of public documents Regulation on property regimes of international couples Proposal for revision of Audio-visual Media Services Directive

II. Strong monitoring & enforcement of existing EU rights Employment Gender legislation Victim’s rights directive Asylum Free movement & cross-border issues

III. Reaching out to citizens Video testimonies from LGBTI community Commission joins EuroPride Lighting up the Berlaymont

IV. Helping key actors to advance LGBTI equality EU Member States Civil society (including funding through the Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme) Diversity Charters for Businesses

V. Facts & figures: data collection Eurobarometer on discrimination EU Agency for Fundamental Rights survey Equality Data Handbook Fostering tolerance & combatting bullying study Health inequalities study

70+ countries homosexuality is criminalised VI. LGBTI equality outside the EU Guidelines on human rights for LGBTI people Political and human rights dialogues promote equality European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights United Nations and multilateral fora 70+ countries homosexuality is criminalised

Help for victims of discrimination Equality Body Equinet: European network of equality bodies Trade Union NGOs

ec.europa.eu/lgbti #EU4LGBTI Thank you ec.europa.eu/lgbti #EU4LGBTI