Homophobia and Discrimination on

<strong>Homophobia</strong>, transphobia <strong>and</strong> discrimination have been identified in this study as
phenomena which exclude LGBT citizens from full participation in social <strong>and</strong> political life.
The report shows that discrimination <strong>and</strong> homophobia disadvantage LGBT persons in all
areas of social life, for example:
• Hate crime against LGBT persons is a prevalent phenomenon that affects
LGBT persons in various ways in all the Member States. A low reporting rate
ensures a lack of coherence between official figures <strong>and</strong> actual hate incidents.
• In recent years bans or administrative impediments have blocked the
organisation of peaceful, public LGBT demonstrations in some Member States,
<strong>and</strong> there have been several incidents of violent attacks on LGBT parades <strong>and</strong>
demonstrations.
• Examples of homophobic speech are found in the media, at times articulated by
prominent political or religious figures.
• LGBT families face unique challenges because of societal stigma <strong>and</strong> the lack
of institutional recognition of their relationships.
• LGBT persons are subject to homophobia <strong>and</strong> discrimination in the labour
market in a number of ways: direct discrimination, harassment, bullying, ridicule
<strong>and</strong> being socially 'frozen out'.
• Incidents of bullying <strong>and</strong> harassment of LGBT persons are found in educational
settings across the EU, not least in the form of verbal homophobia, with words
for gay men, lesbians or transgender persons used as negative terms.
• Incidents of LGBT discrimination are found in health care. Negative
experiences include sexual orientation being labelled as a disturbance or a
sickness <strong>and</strong> the assumption that clients or patients are heterosexual by
default.
• LGBT persons face particular difficulties in the process of seeking asylum.
Lack of data <strong>and</strong> research
Official statistical data
Official data on discrimination is collected only in a few Member States <strong>and</strong> only within
specific areas:
Part II - The Social Situation
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