The European Parliament has declared that the whole of the European Union is an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone” in a seemingly symbolic move to fight against policies in Poland and Hungary which discriminate against queer freedom.
The resolution was passed in response to local authorities in Poland labelling themselves “LGBT ideology-free zones” in recent years.
Shortly before the parliament was set to declare its resolution to support rights of LGBTIQ people, the Polish government announced that it was planning to bar those living in same-sex relationships from adopting children even as single parents. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Poland and the ruling government already bans same-sex couples from adopting children together, however currently, as single people are permitted to adopt, some have managed to get around the ban by applying to adopt as single parents.
The EU have said that members of the LGBT+ community “in the EU should enjoy the freedom to live and publicly show their sexual orientation and gender identity without fear of intolerance, discrimination or persecution”. They continued that “Authorities at all levels of governance across the EU should protect and promote equality and the fundamental rights of all, including LGBTIQ persons.”
In the past two years, over 100 Polish towns and cities have declared resolutions to “free themselves” of “LGBTIQ ideas”.
The resolution is currently just that – a resolution – and isn’t legally binding, but is expected to be passed (fingers crossed). If upheld it would allow the EU to sanction areas not upholding the rule of law and pull funding for these places.