"Historic moment for LGBT rights in the European Parliament"

European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights welcomes two important reports adopted yesterday by the European Parliament.

The Report on "Rights of EU citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States" calls on Member States to recognize the freedom of movement of all Union citizens (including same-sex partners) without imposing the recognition of same-sex marriages.

The other report drafted by rapporteur Ms. Buitenweg backed the European Commission's Equality Treatment Directive proposal, which will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, disability, age and religion in social protection and health care, social benefits, education and access to goods and services, including housing. The Parliament also believes the directive should cover multiple discrimination, based on two or more grounds.

"We warmly welcome both reports and thank Ms.Buitenweg and Ms.Valean for the tremendous job they have done," said Michael Cashman, President of the Intergroup. "When extremism is on the rise throughout Europe, we must speak out for those who suffer inequality, harassment and outright discrimination every single day!".

*source: European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights