European Trade Union Committee for Education

In line with the EU Roadmap against homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (2014), on 16 June this year the Council of the EU adopted conclusions on gender and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality.

It is the first time that the Council of the EU addresses LGBTI issues and therefore it is indeed an important step in the fight for tolerance and equality based on the Treaty. In its conclusions, the Council calls on the EU member states to cooperate with the European Commission and to take actions in this field.

Following the European Parliament resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union adopted on 8 September 2015, the European Commission presented a List of actions to advance LGBTI equality on 7 December 2015. Bringing this topic to the European Council is now a further step in the development towards an open-minded and diverse European society.

Combatting discrimination for reasons of sexual orientation is one of the issues ETUCE and its member organisations are strongly engaged in. The ETUCE secretariat supports this development and emphasises its relevance for the promotion of a fair and open-minded society. ETUCE calls on its members organisations to contribute actively to the implementation of policies at national and regional level promoting the fair and equal treatment of LGBTI people in and through education.

Read here up on the EU policy on gender and LGBTI equality:

Council conclusions on LGBTI equality
List of actions to advance LGBTI equality
European Parliament resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union