Portugal and 17 countries want the next European Commission to be more sensitive to LGBTQIA+ rights

A group of 18 European Union (EU) countries, including Portugal, signed a declaration this Friday demanding that the next European Commission do more to include the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the bloc’s policies.

In a statement, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU announced that today, on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexphobia, a conference was held with several countries from the community bloc to “discuss progress and obstacles in the implementation of the EU Equal Rights Strategy for LGBTQI+ people” (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queers, Intersex+).

The meeting also discussed what the European Commission needs to do in the future, less than a month before the European Parliament elections, which will begin the process of appointing the next leader of the community.

“Countries that sign this declaration commit, in particular, to implementing national LGBTQIA+ strategies and supporting the appointment of an Equality Commissioner in the next Commission. [Os países] We also encourage the Commission to continue and implement a new strategy to improve the rights of LGBTQ+ people during the next legislature, by allocating sufficient resources and working with civil society,” they added.

This declaration was signed by Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Cyprus, Ireland, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Malta, Estonia, Austria, Finland, Germany, Slovenia, France and Sweden.

Countries that signed the declaration also want more attention to be paid to violence against members of this community, which has “reached a new peak” and “mainly affects transgender and intersex young people.”