As of June 5th, 215 Socialist, Socialdemocrat and Labour candidates, candidates for the Party of European Socialists, in almost every of the 27 member states signed the ILGA-Europe’s European Parliament Elections Pledge. The ILGA-Pledge calls (future) members of the European Parliament to promote equality and to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
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On Sunday, May 24th, the European Socialists gathered in Rome. Activists and Parliament members came from Belarus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom to participate to a meeting dedicated to the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender in Europe. »
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Rainbow Rose / PES meeting, May 24th, Rome
Over fifty years ago, the European Community set out in its founding treaties that it should combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. However, we have not yet achieved this as discrimination persists in our diverse societies. »
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On Sunday, May 24th, 2009, Rainbow Rose, Rosa Arcobaleno, Anna Paola Concia MP and the Italian Socialist delegation in the European Parliament organize together, with the support of the Party of European Socialist, a meeting in Rome, at the Women International House, in the beautiful quarter of Trastevere. »
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On June 7th, all European citizens will have to elect the new European Parliament. In the last terms, the European Parliament gave a decisive political momentum to LGBT rights progresses.
Rainbow Rose believes that only a lef-wing majority can further strenghten the role of the Parliament. This is why we call on voters to choose the Party of European Socialists (PES) and its member parties, in all EU member States. »
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On December 1st and 2nd, 2008, the Council of the Party of European Socialists (PES) gathered in Madrid. As an observer member organisation, Rainbow Rose was represented by our delegate and by activists coming from many countries of the European Union.
The PES Council adopted the Socialist Manifesto for the 2009 elections to the European Parliament: “People First, a New Direction for Europe”. Rainbow Rose has been proactive during the months of consultation and preparation of this political programme for the European Union.
We are now glad to see that our voice was heard, and that the PES, conform to its historical commitments, will be fighting in 2009 for equality and diversity! »
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On Wednesday, January 14th, the European Parliament adopted Giusto Catania’s report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union by a decisive majority of 401 votes. 220 MEPs voted against the report, and 67 abstained.
This report includes various recommendations to EU institutions and the member States. Eight of these recommendations are aimed at improving gay and lesbian rights to make them match all EU citizen’s rigths. You can read the complete text of these recommendation at the end of this article. »
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On Monday, December 1st, the PES Women, Rainbow Rose and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) organized together a meeting during a session of the yearly Council of the Party of European Socialists.
To celebrate the 20th International Day against AIDS, we choose to emphasize the need to maintain and improve our common commitment to the fight againt HIV/AIDS. »
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The leaders of the PES member parties met on June 19th. In the final Statement of the meeting, they said:
“Equal rights for all
Over fifty years ago, the European Community set out in its founding treaties that it should combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. However, we have not yet achieved this as discrimination persists in our diverse societies. The PES believes in an inclusive society based on equal rights for all. Therefore, we believe that any proposed new European legislation on discrimination should benefit all discriminated groups and ensure equal rights and treatment for all.” »
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Rainbow Rose and all its member organizations are strongly committed to the political battle to obtain an evolution of the European legislation against discrimination. »
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The European Parliament reacted many times, in the last years, to the context of still or even increasing homophobia and transphobia in some parts of Europe. »
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The European Parliament is the second legislative body of the European Comunity. It shares its power with the European Council. In the last election, that were organised in June 2004, the Socialist Group in the European Parliament gained the second largest position, with 200 MEPs. With the enlargement of the EU to Bulgaria and Romania, the Socialist Group now has 219 MEPs, out of 732. »
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