Europe passes resolution denouncing homophobia

The European Union (EU) Parliament has passed a joint resolution condemning homophobia. The measure passed on a 469-149 vote with 41 abstentions. It calls on the European Commission to take a more proactive roll in fighting anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) developments in several EU states. The resolution says the commission should begin proceedings against those countries that fail to implement the directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation, and it says the commission should consider the use of criminal penalties in cases of violation. The commission is also asked to put forward proposals that would guarantee the rights of same-sex couples and their children. One of the main complaints of LGBT rights groups throughout Europe is that registered same-sex couples from member states where same-sex marriages or civil partnerships are legal lose all their rights if they move to another EU country where gay and lesbian relationships are not recognized. During debate on the resolution, supporters of the measure accused several former communist countries, now EU members, of rampant homophobia. Poland and Latvia came under the harshest criticism. Latvia recently revised its constitution to become the first European country to ban same-sex marriage. In July the capital city of Riga banned gay pride observances following criticism of the event by Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis. Event organizers went to court and won a restraining order against the city, allowing the parade to go ahead. Hundreds of demonstrators lined the parade route and hurled rotten eggs and insults at the marchers. Several of the demonstrators got into scuffles with police and were dragged away. Polish gays and lesbians demonstrated in several cities in November demanding that the government abide by European civil rights laws. The marchers denounced the mass arrest of gays in the city of Poznan, where riot police detained 65 gays and lesbians who refused to disband when they attempted to hold a gay pride march. "If we do nothing, we are complicit to the crimes of violence we can see happening in many EU member states," said Michael Cashman during the debate. Cashman is a British Labor member of the EU Parliament and is openly gay. In October the European Commission warned Poland that if it continues to oppose gay rights the country risks losing its voting rights in the EU.