Homophobia and Discrimination on

Introduction
‘Respect for the rights of persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, is
one of the main criteria for respect for human rights in general… above
all, it is necessary to continue to combat stereotypes <strong>and</strong> prejudices in all
possible ways. <strong>Homophobia</strong> is a prejudice that I consider to be particularly
revolting <strong>and</strong> unjustified.’
Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs <strong>and</strong> Equal
Opportunities’ 7
'It is sometimes said that the protection of the human rights of lesbians,
gays, bisexuals <strong>and</strong> transgender people (LGBT) amounts to introducing
new rights. That is a misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing. The Universal Declaration of
Human Rights <strong>and</strong> the agreed treaties establish that human rights apply
to everyone <strong>and</strong> that no one should be excluded.'
Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of
Europe 8
The collection of objective <strong>and</strong> reliable data on homophobia, transphobia <strong>and</strong>
discrimination is pivotal for the underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> protection of rights of LGBT persons.
For the first time in the European Union, data <strong>and</strong> information have been collected <strong>and</strong>
analysed from diverse research findings on LGBT issues based on a literature review,
questionnaires, country reports 9 carried out by national researchers, interviews with
National Equality Bodies, NGOs <strong>and</strong> public authorities in all 27 Member States <strong>and</strong>
results from two roundtable meetings bringing together experts from LGBT civil society.
The main body of this report is thematically structured covering the following specific, as
well as cross-cutting themes:
• Attitudes towards LGBT persons
• Hate crime <strong>and</strong> hate speech
• Freedom of assembly
7 Commissioner Vladimír Špidla speech at the international conference on LGBT rights in Montreal,
available at http://www.ilga-europe.org/Europe/News/International-Conference-on-LGBT-Rights-
Montreal/Speech-by-Commissioner-Vladimir-Spidla-at-the-international-conference-on-LGBT-rights-in-
Montreal (04.01.2009)
8 Viewpoint 2008 available at http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/Viewpoints/080514_en.asp (14.08.2008)
9 The country reports commissioned by DIHR <strong>and</strong> COWI are released by the FRA in the interest of
transparency. Interpretations <strong>and</strong> opinions are those of the authors <strong>and</strong> do not necessarily
reflect the position or opinion of the FRA.
Part II - The Social Situation
23