Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in the EU Member States. Summary of findings, trends, challenges and promising practices

‘Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in the EU Member States. Summary of findings, trends, challenges and promising practices’ was published by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in June 2011. This synthesis report builds on previous FRA legal and social research from 2008 and 2009, enabling, for the first time, a review of legal trends. Its findings show that although the EU and Member States have made significant progress towards the realization of equality that progress is occurring at a variety of speeds, resulting in an uneven and uncoordinated response to discrimination in areas including protection from abuse and violence or freedom of assembly. The report also explores possible options for Member States to combat discrimination moving forward, such as targeted data collection or the promotion of even-handed debates. The report is a short and easy-to-read publication designed to equip those who shape policy with the information they need to develop a coherent and systematic approach to the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) rights.