In Europe the LGBT rights are diverse from country to country. Out of 16 countries in the world that have legalised same-sex marriage in the world, 9 are located in Europe and a further 14 fourteen countries have legalised civil unions amongst same sexes. The first country to make same-sex marriage possible by law is also from Europe. The Netherlands did this in 2000, and the first ever marriage amongst a homosexual couple was in Amsterdam on the 1st of April 2001. This was a major breakthrough, and many countries have followed this.
The European Union has agreed to the fact that LGBT rights are part of the Universal Human Rights and therefore need to be guaranteed and respected. Hereby follows that countries in the European Union are able to legalise these laws: * The right of free sexuality * Same-sex marriages * The right of adoption * Same rights on the field of labour and housing * Anti-discrimination law * Protection against homophobia * The right of trans sexuality
Still not all these laws are accepted throughout Europe due to religious reasons.
In many countries human rights are getting bettered and more respected, also with the LGBT rights. There have been some recent positive developments in Europe on the LGBT rights.
France became the ninth and most recent country that is part of the European Union to legalise same-sex marriage in May 2013. The French president François Hollande also signed a new law authorizing adoption by marriage and adoption by homosexual couples. Some other European countries might follow France as bills for same-sex marriage laws have been proposed in Finland, the United Kingdom (Scotland) and Luxembourg.
The government of Ireland had held a constitutional convention on the issue of same-sex marriage. Therefore they agreed to plan to hold a referendum in 2014 for same-sex marriage, and hereby adoption rights for gay couples as marriage and adoption rights are legally together under current Irish law. Civil union has already been legal since 2011 in Ireland. A poll held by the Irish Times showed that 75% of the population support the law for same-sex marriage.
The Isle of Man has allowed civil partnerships since 2011, as well as Jersey in 2012. Liechtenstein also legalized registered partnership by 68% of voters via a referendum in 2011.
The government of the United Kingdom started a public same-sex marriage consultation in 2012. Their intention was to apply these laws in England and Wales. The bill was signed into law on July 17th 2013. The government of Scotland did the same thing, trying to legalise same-sex marriage by 2014
The TRUTH about sexual orientation * It is impossible to identify Gay, Lesbian, bisexual or transgender people by certain characteristics or manners * Sexual experiences as a child do not necessarily give indication of one’s sexual orientation * No one knows how one’s sexual orientation is caused * Most gay people feel comfortable with their sexual orientation; they do not feel as they belong to a different group than heterosexual people. * Homosexuality is not a mental disease that can be “cured or threated” by therapy.
Policy, news and headlines.
If you are interested more in news and the international policy on the issue of LGBT rights? The International Lesbian and Gay association tracks LGBT-related issues in the media on www.ilga.org. The site contains links to UN press release, news and documents on topics differing from LGBT Rights in Africa to Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention for Women who love Women. Also the site provides articles about world events, such as the World Social Forum, where people can inform each other about movements from around the world and share their issues.
Triangle Speakers
Triangle Speakers is non-profit organisation which goal it is to make prejudice, fear and hatred against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people disappear. It’s headquarter is located in the city of Santa Cruz, but now has expanded to Europe with an office in Amsterdam. Amsterdam was chosen because it was the first city where the first legal gay marriage was held. The organisation is a project based on education that wants to create panel discussions at schools and organisations, which consist of local members of the LGBT community who debate in topics and answer questions from the audience regarding LGBT related issues.
Now will follow some more resources that can be accessed on the topic of LGBT rights, related events, news and campaigns.
International Gay, Lebsian, Bisexual and Transgender rights commission – www.iglhrc.org
International Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender association – www.ilga.org
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth Organisation – www.iglyo.com
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In the past, people wouldn’t even consider the possibility of same-sex marriage or cohabitating, death penalty or prison life is the only choice for those people who break the rules. As attitudes changed and better-established social policies, the stigma of homosexuality has reduced, it is now more socially accepted, Netherlands was the first country to permit same-sex marriage in 2001, and then there are more and more countries starting to legalize same-sex marriage. However, Kath Weston (1992) point out that many gay couples are now deciding to cohabit as stable partners, they would reject monogamy and family life and in favor of causal relationships. Allan and Crow argue that, because of the legal framework which recently came up, same-sex partners have had to negotiate their commitment and responsibilities more than married couples, this may have made same-sex relationships both more flexible and less stable than heterosexual relationships. Also, supported by David Cheal (2002), while many gays and lesbians welcome the opportunity to have their partnerships legally recognized, but some fear that it may limit the flexibility and negotiability of relationships, therefore, rather than adopt what they see as heterosexual relationship norms, they wish to retain a status of ‘difference’. Nevertheless, Social policy is now beginning to treat all…
- 918 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Human Rights Brief. 3 March 2010. Annamaria Racota. "Albania 's New Anti-Discrimination Law Protects LGBT Rights." [Accessed 2 Sept. 2010]…
- 2301 Words
- 10 Pages
Best Essays -
Sanders, Douglas. "Getting Lesbian and Gay Issues on the International Human Rights Agenda." Human Rights Quarterly 18 (1996): 67-106.…
- 2519 Words
- 11 Pages
Best Essays -
C. Statistic - Since 2012, there are over 12 countries which had legalized same-sex marriage. There are included Spain, Canada, Argentina and other seven countries. The same-sex couples able to enjoy their marriage benefit same like others such as the insurance, ownership of property, agency law and others.…
- 878 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The Gay Rights Movement is a civil social issue that not only exists here in the United States but all over the world…
- 995 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
After the legalizations in Massachusetts and, most recently, California, gay marriage has been a growing trend in the United States. In the 8 months since the legalization, more and more gay couples have been rushing to California to tie the knot. However, California and Massachusetts are not the first to make an effort to strengthen the bonds of homosexual couples some European countries including Denmark, Holland, some Scandinavian countries, and others have legalized same-sex marriage and have found the results positive. Gay marriage has been a contradictory issue since gay men and women began requesting marriage licenses. However, gays are denied their rights to marriage licenses, which is denying then their rights as American citizens. Gays should be treated equally to heterosexuals and granted their rights to marry the person they love, whether they are the same or opposite gender.…
- 849 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
On December 10th, 1948 the Universal Declaration of human rights was adopted by the UN with unanimous support, though eight countries refused to vote (Normand and Zaidi 2008, 178-180). This document formed the basis of the human rights regime for years to come and guaranteed freedoms and equalities. Or rather, that was the intended effect, and while it is impossible to ignore the effect the law has had the world, there are several aspects missing. Notably missing from the doctrine, was the inclusion of freedom of sexuality. This trend continues within Canada’s own declaration of rights: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This was not without debate, as LGBT rights activists have been throwing themselves into the conversations about rights…
- 1452 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
“My name is Harvey Milk, and I’m here to recruit you,” were the famous words of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was elected after 3 times of losing the election because there weren’t enough people who support gay rights in San Francisco at the time. Although times have changes and many people are more open minded and are more supportive of LGBT communities, the LGBT communities still do not have the same human rights as any other America have. In present time only 10 states recognize gay marriage as a legal right. Numerous people believe that it is a sin for people of the same gender to get married. Many human right organization are advocating and protesting, that gay rights are human rights. Everyone should have the opportunity to equality in all aspects of life, such as equal marriage, medical benefits, adoption, and equal opportunities in the workforce. The Constitution it states, “…All men should be made equal.” This is the law. There is no way around the fact that every person deserves an equal opportunity in life regardless of what they do. People in society around the world face violence and inequality because of who they are and who they love. The fight for gay rights to become a human right has begun. But there are many people who feel as if this is a big mistake.…
- 1047 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Gay rights have come a long way in the last century but there is still so much more road to cover. “The number of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons in the U.S. is subjective. Studies pointing to the statistics are estimates at best. The most widely accepted statistic is that 1 in every 10 individuals is lesbian, gay or bisexual (Johnson). That would mean that 1 in every 10 people you meet is part of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transvestite community. 1 in every 10 people has faced some sort of discrimination for being who they were born to be. Some say being gay is a choice and that people…
- 2890 Words
- 12 Pages
Powerful Essays -
According to a Pew Research Center forum, in 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to fully legalize same-sex marriage, the legalization not only allowed marriage for same-sex couples but also divorce and the ability to adopt a child. Since then, 17 other counties have followed in the same if not similar footsteps as the Dutch to allow marriage all throughout their counties (Sciupac and Masci). There are also counties that have not fully acquired homosexual marriage throughout their nation as those countries did, but have granted marriage within jurisdictions. For example, the United States allows marriage of same-sex couples in 19 of its 50 states (Sciupac and Masci). “The recent history of America does show that a society can radically change its attitudes……
- 1320 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Throughout history, humans acted in what is known as societal normality. Whether that be how one caries him/herself, how they dress or what their sexual orientation is. Regardless of what it was, society expected certain behavior from individuals, this is very common, even now. For laws to be passed, the law in question needs to be supported by many. Individuals who identify as LGBTQA+ aren’t following societal norms and because of this being an individual who identifies as LGBTQA’s is usually looked down upon. Unfortunately, many people don’t support LGBTQA+ and because of this many countries have laws against sodomy. Since LGBTQA+’s isn’t very supported majority of countries also don’t support. Countries like Jamaica used to have strict laws…
- 302 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Universität Hamburg Fakultät Wirtschafts-‐ und Sozialwissenschaften M.A. European Studies Right to Same-‐Sex Marriage Under Article 8 ECHR Melek Günay Hamburg, 2013 Table of Contents 1.Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3 2.Definition of ‘sexual minorities’ ............................................................................................. 5 3.The right of same-‐sex marriage and the ECHR .................................................................. 6 4.Case Studies ................................................................................................................................... 8 4.1. Rees v UK ..............................................................................................................................................…
- 7354 Words
- 30 Pages
Good Essays -
Thesis Statement: The Gay Rights Movement dates back to the 19th century. By 1970 gay and lesbian organizations existed all over the United States and in other countries all over the world. Some supporters of the movement would say that our society as a whole has made great strides towards acceptance of homosexuality. However, gays and lesbians are still fighting for equality in 2009. The issues are vast and widespread, with same-sex marriage at the top of the list. In the world that we live in today one might be surprised to learn how many countries are accepting of gay and lesbians, as well as how many are not. The world has made progress within the last decade regarding this issue, but definitely not enough. We need to take steps to protect and balance Gay rights.…
- 3319 Words
- 14 Pages
Best Essays -
Voters in Croatia HYPERLINK http//uk.reuters.com/article/2013/12/01/uk-croatia-referendum-idUKBRE9B005V20131201 approved a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union of man and woman, with 66 of votes cast favoring the change. At the same time, Scotlands government HYPERLINK http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25003083 appears to be on trackto join neighbors England and Wales, which legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year. O HYPERLINK http//www.ifop.com/media/poll/2255-1-study_file.pdf nline pollconducted by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) found majorities in several Western European countries in favor of marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples, with those in the Netherlands (85), Germany (74), Belgium and Spain (71 each) expressing the most support. In Scotland, the percentage of people who favor same-sex marriage has increased from 41 to 61 , according to the latest HYPERLINK http//www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/355716/0120166.pdf Scottish Social Attitudes Survey. Meanwhile, Croatians are not the only Eastern Europeans who oppose same-sex marriage. Apoll takenby the Levada Public Opinion Center found that 85 of Russian adults say they are opposed to allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed. Relatively few in Poland (21) and Hungary (30) express support for same-sex marriage, according to an online Reuters/Ipsos poll, which also asked about views on legal recognition other than marriage. In both countries, significant percentages support some kind of legal recognition for same-sex couples (39 in Poland and 21 in Hungary), while 24 of Poles and 26 of Hungarians oppose same-sex marriage or any kind of legal same-sex unions. More than half of the worlds HYPERLINK http//www.pewforum.org/2013/07/16/gay-marriage-around-the-world-2013/ countries that allow same-sex marriageare in Western or Northern Europe including the Netherlands and Belgium, which were the first two countries to approve such…
- 1046 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays