New Survey Shows Discrimination Common Across Europe
Wednesday 2nd July 2008
The European Union has released a new report on discrimination against the LGBT community in Europe.
The European Parliament in Strasbourg
Discrimination based on sexual orientation was the second most common type of discrimination faced by Europeans today. Only racial discrimination was more common.
The report comes just ahead of a European Commission directive that will give LGBT citizens equal protection from discrimination under the law. The new directive will widely expand protection for citizens, who are currently only protected from discrimination based on race or gender.
More than 27,000 people across the EU were interviewed for the new report. Of those 27,000 51% of respondents said discrimination against LGBT people was either fairly or very widespread, with a mere 41% believing that discrimination is rare.
Discrimination was seen as most prevalent in the “macho” Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Cyprus, where 73% of people thought the problem was widespread, as well as Italy with 72% and Portugal with 65%.
The average was 51% in the EU. The United Kingdom came in at just below average with 50%. Ironically, two countries that saw homophobic mob violence this weekend had the lowest levels of perceived discrimination. The Czech Republic had 27% and Bulgaria 20%, though Pride events in Brno and Sofia were marred by ultra-nationalist and homophobic violence.
Liberals, women and young people were more likely to see discrimination as widespread than conservatives, men or older people.
While the levels of discrimination may be high, almost all Europeans believe that levels have improved over the last five years. In addition, nearly half of Europeans said they’d be completely comfortable with living next door to a homosexual.
The report is one of several on sexual orientation and discrimination released by European agencies recently. The EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency recently released its own report recommending the expansion of support for LGBT citizens and improved legal protection from discrimination.
The European Parliament in Strasbourg
Discrimination based on sexual orientation was the second most common type of discrimination faced by Europeans today. Only racial discrimination was more common.
The report comes just ahead of a European Commission directive that will give LGBT citizens equal protection from discrimination under the law. The new directive will widely expand protection for citizens, who are currently only protected from discrimination based on race or gender.
More than 27,000 people across the EU were interviewed for the new report. Of those 27,000 51% of respondents said discrimination against LGBT people was either fairly or very widespread, with a mere 41% believing that discrimination is rare.
Discrimination was seen as most prevalent in the “macho” Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Cyprus, where 73% of people thought the problem was widespread, as well as Italy with 72% and Portugal with 65%.
The average was 51% in the EU. The United Kingdom came in at just below average with 50%. Ironically, two countries that saw homophobic mob violence this weekend had the lowest levels of perceived discrimination. The Czech Republic had 27% and Bulgaria 20%, though Pride events in Brno and Sofia were marred by ultra-nationalist and homophobic violence.
Liberals, women and young people were more likely to see discrimination as widespread than conservatives, men or older people.
While the levels of discrimination may be high, almost all Europeans believe that levels have improved over the last five years. In addition, nearly half of Europeans said they’d be completely comfortable with living next door to a homosexual.
The report is one of several on sexual orientation and discrimination released by European agencies recently. The EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency recently released its own report recommending the expansion of support for LGBT citizens and improved legal protection from discrimination.
