During the plenary session (23-24 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the LGBTQI situation in Member states. Several MEPs criticised the recently asopted Hungarian legislation that prohibits sharing content with minors that is seen as promoting homosexuality or sex reassignment. They urged the Council and the Commission to implement legislation and procedures for the protection of rule of law.

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

LENAERS, Jeroen (EPP, NL)

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

fight for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

ZANNI, Marco (ID, IT)

GYŐRI, Enikő (NI, HU)

AUBRY, Manon (The Left, FR)

European Council meeting 24-25 June 2021 (T)

LGBTQI situation in Member states: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), You have probably been following the debate that has arisen over the past days on the meaning of rainbow colours, also in the context of the euro cap with the UEFA taking and I would say rather unfortunate stance of putting down the request by the city of Munich of illuminating the stadium in Munich in rainbow colours tonight in the match between Germany and Hungary. Since then, many institutions, including town halls, including a lot of stadiums all across Europe, have declared a solidarity. And they are going to be illuminated in rainbow colours tonight or they are going to show rainbow flags. And we would like to request the European Parliament to do the same and to join into these efforts. So, Mr. President, if possible, we would like to ask the European Parliament also for tonight to his rainbow flag because I think this parliament agrees the rainbow flag is no political provocation. The rainbow flag is a sign of respect for fundamental rights, diversity and human dignity.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, As you know, the Parliament is committed to promoting LGBTQ rights and actively participates in awareness raising campaigns such as the one on the International Day, which takes place every year. But thank you for bringing this to our attention and I endorse your request.

Cutaway of the LGBTQI flag raised on the EP building in Brussels, 1 shot

SOUNDBITE (English), Maro&#353; &#352;EF&#268;OVI&#268;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, The EU is a union based on values with utmost respect for human dignity, equality and respect for human rights and non-discrimination. And this was clearly underscored in a strong statement of the Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen this morning.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Discriminating people on the basis of their sexual orientation goes against all fundamental values, all our European values.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), What it's also shameful, however, is the approach of  UEFA in this regard, previously celebrating the rainbow colours as a symbol of inclusion it is now trying to ban them as something of a political symbol. This is not about politics. It is about equality. It is about inclusion. It is about fundamental rights that we need to fight for these fundamental rights every day. And we expect you in the Council to do that in the coming weeks. And also, UEFA should celebrate these fundamental values.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), Chair of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, We need to also ensure the respect of the rule of law, the values of the Union and this also means non-discrimination of LGBTI people to ensure that we really are a European Union of rights. That is something which is fundamental and we cannot hold this debate without bearing in mind those issues.

SOUNDBITE (French), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), The latest insult to our rights and values is the attack on LGBTI people in Hungary. These attacks on values are not new, but they are taking on frightening proportions. Today, the EU Commission, guardian of the treaties has up to now not dared to go from words to actions, particularly because the Council, in the name of preserving its unity, has preferred to shield its members from this pressure. Dear colleagues, I believe the next Council meeting should have as the only item on its agenda the respect of the EU's values.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Marco ZANNI (ID, IT), I listened very carefully to what previous speakers have said in relation to individual freedoms and rights. And of course, I share the words entirely. So I would ask them to also respect everyone else's rights. If you have to put a sanitary cordon around minorities which are democratically elected, you cannot shout from the rooftops that you defend democracy. Please show us that you care about these values.

SOUNDBITE (French), Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), Co-chair of The Left group, This new attack against LGBTI people is too much. It needs to be sanctioned straightaway. With the severest possible solutions to all Hungarians and LGBTI people. They need to understand we will not abandon them. They have fundamental rights to love those they want to love. Our group, the left will do everything possible to put an end to the impunity of Mr Orban. UEFA have refused to have rainbow colours on the Munich stadium this evening in the football match against Hungary. Allow me to do it here and to say it loud and clear in the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Hungarian), Enik&#337; GY&#336;RI (NI, HU), The rencetly adopted Hungarian bill protects the children's rights, guarantees the parent's rights and does not apply to people older than 18 years. The Hungarian law does not contain any discriminatory elements conforming to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which states clearly that parents have the right to educate their children according to their convictions.