European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights

European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights is a cross-party intergroup of the European Parliament that aims to promote LGBT rights in the European Union. The group was established in 1996, with the support of Ilga Europe, TGEU, and other LGBT organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. The intergroup works closely with European Commission, Council of Europe, and United Nations agencies, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to advance the rights of LGBT individuals in Europe and beyond, in countries such as Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey.

● History

The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights was founded in 1996 by Derek Wyatt, a British Labour Party Member of the European Parliament (MEP), with the help of Colette Flesch, a Luxembourgish Liberal Democrat MEP, and Jan Willem Bertens, a Dutch Christian Democrat MEP. The intergroup's early work focused on issues such as the age of consent, same-sex marriage, and hate crime legislation, in collaboration with organizations like Stonewall, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign. Over the years, the intergroup has grown to include MEPs from various European political groups, including the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, and the Greens/European Free Alliance, as well as The Left in the European Parliament. The intergroup has also worked with European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to promote LGBT rights in Europe.

● Membership

The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights is composed of MEPs from various European countries, including Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. The intergroup's members include Ulrike Lunacek, an Austrian Green Party MEP, Sophie in 't Veld, a Dutch Liberal Democrat MEP, and Maria Noichl, a German Social Democrat MEP. The intergroup also has the support of European Parliament Presidents, such as Martin Schulz and Antonio Tajani, as well as European Commission Presidents, including Jean-Claude Juncker and Ursula von der Leyen. The intergroup works closely with LGBT organizations such as ILGA-Europe, TGEU, and the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, as well as with human rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights.

● Objectives

The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights aims to promote LGBT rights in the European Union and beyond, through various activities and campaigns. The intergroup's objectives include the promotion of same-sex marriage, adoption rights, and anti-discrimination legislation, in collaboration with organizations like Stonewall, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign. The intergroup also works to combat hate crime and homophobia, and to promote LGBT equality in all areas of life, including employment, education, and healthcare, with the support of European Trade Union Confederation, European Students' Union, and the World Health Organization. The intergroup's work is guided by the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as by the recommendations of the Council of Europe, the United Nations, and the European Court of Human Rights.

● Activities

The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights engages in various activities to promote LGBT rights in the European Union and beyond. The intergroup organizes seminars, conferences, and workshops on topics such as LGBT equality, hate crime, and human rights, in collaboration with organizations like ILGA-Europe, TGEU, and the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. The intergroup also issues statements and resolutions on LGBT rights issues, and works with European Commission and Council of Europe to develop policies and legislation that promote LGBT equality, with the support of European Parliament Presidents, such as Martin Schulz and Antonio Tajani. The intergroup's activities are often supported by LGBT organizations such as Stonewall, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign, as well as by human rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights.

● Notable Campaigns

The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights has launched several notable campaigns to promote LGBT rights in the European Union and beyond. The intergroup's campaigns include the IDAHOT campaign, which aims to promote LGBT equality and combat homophobia and transphobia, in collaboration with organizations like ILGA-Europe, TGEU, and the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. The intergroup has also campaigned for the recognition of same-sex marriage and adoption rights in all European countries, with the support of European Commission and Council of Europe. The intergroup's campaigns often involve cooperation with LGBT organizations such as Stonewall, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign, as well as with human rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights, and are guided by the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.