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EU proposes new rules to protect LGBTQs following rising homophobia in Poland, Hungary

Hungary's government proposed a ban on same-sex couples adopting earlier this week

By Jamie Tabberer

The EU has proposed new rules to protect LGBTQs in its member states, as homophobia rises in countries such as Hungary and Poland.

This week, the Hungarian government proposed a ban on same-sex couples adopting.

Meanwhile, Poland has seen a growing trend for ‘LGBT-free zones’ and homophobic rhetoric from public figures.

The bloc’s European Commission division revealed its suggested policies, intended to strengthen LGBTQ rights, yesterday.

They would classify hate crime, including homophobic speech, on a list of “EU crimes”.

“Everyone should feel free to be who they are — without fear or persecution”

Announcing the proposal during her 2020 State of the Union Address, Vera Jourova, the bloc’s commissioner for values and transparency, said yesterday, “Everyone should feel free to be who they are — without fear or persecution.

“This is what Europe is about and this is what we stand for.”

The proposal also includes protections for same-sex parent families and funding for organisations fighting for equality in the 27 member nations.

Earlier this year, Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda referred to an “LGBT ideology” as “more destructive than communist indoctrination.”

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