Two years ago, in March 2019, the first homophobic and transphobic declaration in Poland was adopted in the town of Świdnik, stating the city to be an LGBT free zone. Since then, around a hundred Polish local and regional authorities have passed similar resolutions.

To overturn these regressive steps, the Renew Europe Group requested on 10 February a debate and resolution in the European Parliament’s March plenary session, to enable the European Parliament to declare the whole of the European Union to be an LGBTI Freedom Zone. This proposal secured the support of the majority of political groups on 11 February.

With this campaign, Renew Europe wants to send a strong message - there is no room for discrimination against LGBTI persons in the European Union, and there shall be no more ‘LGBTI free zones’! 

Pierre Karleskind MEP, initiator of the resolution, says:

“By declaring the EU an LGBTI-freedom zone, we want to show that EU values are not optional, and to assure LGBTI people around Europe that the European Parliament will do whatever it takes to make sure they have the freedom to live their sexual orientation and their identity without fear of discrimination or persecution.”

Sophie in' t Veld MEP, Renew Europe's coordinator in the Committee of Civil liberties, concludes:

“Various Polish authorities intimidate and discriminate LGBTI people, invoking so-called traditional Christian values. Last time I checked, “Love thy neighbour” did not have a footnote excluding LGBTI people however. Love is love. High time to stop the hateful discourse and declare the EU the largest LGBTI Freedom Zone instead!”

We want the @Europarl_EN to declare the EU as an #LGBTI freedom zone!🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺

A step forward this morning as our proposal secured the support of the majority of political groups. 💪

Our resolution is set to be debated & hopefully adopted in March! #Renew4Equality pic.twitter.com/xLameKmaYG

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) February 11, 2021