FRA research: Wrong and outdated views towards LGBT people endanger their fundamental rights

16/03/2016

In some Member States, doctors still view homosexuality as a disease and transsexuality as a mental disorder, according to findings from a new report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Such negative views of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in society, among professional groups and policy makers hampers efforts to counter discrimination and hate crime.               

FRA's European Union-wide survey on discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans persons (EU LGBT survey), published in 2013, showed that LGBT persons across the EU often feel discriminated against. Many have also experienced hate crime even though legislation and policies protecting them from discrimination and criminal victimisation are in place across the EU. In fact, in the last decade, some Member States have further strengthened their legal arsenal for the protection and promotion of equality and the rights of LGBT persons.

But how can law and policy be effectively implemented on the ground to achieve a tangible impact on people's lives? To respond to this question, often raised by EU and national policymakers, and provide useful evidencebased advice, FRA conducted large-scale interviewbased research to identify barriers and drivers in the implementation of existing legal and policy provisions on the ground. FRA interviewed 1,039 public officials and professionals in 19 EU Member States

Access the report  http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/fra-2016-lgbt-public-officials_en.pdf