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Members of the Europarliament consider the expansion of the EU positive for the rights of the homosexuals.
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The European family is adopting new family members. The question although is, if these consider it positive to live together with homosexual brothers and sisters in the present states of the EU. Even in these countries is the sympathy for them not too big. Homosexuality has always been a delicate issue in the countries behind the Iron Curtain. But it doesn’t mean that, even now the curtain has been taken away, East Europe will soon be pink-coloured. But the joining of new members is a good thing. At least this is what the members of europarliament who are interested in the situation of the homosexuals, think. ‘ Without the EU membership everything would have stayed the same’. One big United Europe and the new sexual moral : two interviews.
It is a good the day to talk about this subject, says Marco Cappato, member of the Europarliament for the Italian Radical Party.
Earlier this afternoon the European Commission , the daily government of the EU, has presented the reports of the 8 East European countries ,Cyprus and Malta, that probably will enter the EU in 2004 . The conclusion : There is still a lot of work to be done, but towards the end of 2004 they will be ready to enter a United Europe. I hadn’t expect anything else, says Cappato, since years a fighter for the rights of the homosexuals. However, I prefer to call it freedom of sexuality. No ever what it is, homo-, hetero- bi – or transsexual: everybody must have the right to experience sexuality in his own way. This right must be guaranteed by Europe.
European Voice.
However, Cappato (who candidates for the nomination of “member of Europarliament of the year”, together with PvdA member Van Hulten, in the exclusive magazine for Brussels The European Voice), is not very optimistic about this. Of course the joining of the new countries will mean a lot for the homosexuals in these countries. Without the EU certain laws would not have been changed at all or probably much later. That is pure profit, but don’t expect too much. It will still take a long time before there will come a real end to discrimination. Maybe you should not have too great expectations, either.‘ Laws concerning sexuality is in my opinion a matter of each country, the national parliaments. Based on the freedom of contact for people in Europe. Everybody must have the right to build a life, family, friends the way that he or she wants. But there will never be a complete European policy for homosexuality.
De members will always want some control. Quite right, I think. Fact is that the state regulates everything in this sphere’
The Vatican Lobby
The Radical Party is the odd- man –out in Italian politics.
The group, built around the former European commissioner Emma Bonino, who now also is a member of the European Parliament, and the old Liberal Marco Panella, sometimes tends to very radical, almost anarchistic ideas.
Freedom of sexual moral, total legalization of drugs and an ‘international and radical cooperation in Europe’: this is difficult for catholic Italy. Nevertheless contribute the “Radicali “ with 7 of the 79 Italian members of europarliament. Cappato profiles within the party especially on issues as drugs, the rights of the homosexuals, but even on electronic communication.
There is a lot coming in here, tells Carpato, pointing at the all the documents on his office in Brussels. Yet, the situation of the homosexuals, especially in Italy has his special attention. ‘Don’t forget that there still is a tuff Vatican lobby to get their ideas through as a central ideology for the European Union. We have to fight that both here and in Italy. In Italy homosexuals don’t have the right to marry and that will surely last many years.’ And the right to divorce will take still more time’, he adds laughing, referring to two roman people who married in Holland. But back in Italy their marriage was not recognized, so now they do not know what their civil status is. ‘In Holland you have a luxurious position, don’t think that entire Europe within the first 20 years can claim the same rights. Forget that. Therefore it is important being continuously active on national level, with the European anti discrimination rules as an absolute condition. But the European power is limited. Being honest, Europe cannot and will not force on a homo-marriage.
Money…..
Cappato especially wants to use the EU as a political pressure on other countries that do not care about the rights of the homosexuals. In fact all kinds of human rights. Our colleague Olivier Dupuis ( Belgian member of europarliament, also part of the “Radicali” ) is engaged in attacking the violation of the human rights in e.g. Laos. This is also what EU must do for the 51 men in Egypt, who have been put in prison because they had joined in a party for homosexuals on a Nile boat. Europe must simply not tolerate such. All those fundamentalistic countries or governments that fear this in our countries: punish them via trade pacts or cooperations agreements with the EU. If countries are not seriously involved in rights for homosexuals, Europe simply has to stop these agreements or the money flow. Here I see more possibilities for the European Union.
Cappato can understand the concern in Holland about a larger European Union. If more countries that ignore the rights for homosexuals will join us, than this will lead to a decline of the average level. This is what many fear, I know. But this is wrong. Now there is at least a certain minimal protection, which did not exist before. Without a Europe everything would probably have stayed the same. But maybe one should, even in Holland stop seeing homosexuals as a minority. We are all EU citizens. No matter if it concerns your being, religion or language, that is a part of you, not your total identity.”
Defensive
Holland tends to have a defensive attitude towards other countries. This is shown for example in their drugs policy and euthanasia. In these cases Holland uses a kind of excuse: “sorry, we have to do this because of our political reality, so please let us have our exception”. That is wrong. Better to present it as a model to be followed by others. Even when it concerns alternatives for cohabitation. Show the positive sides of it and let the other members get used to it. Don’t retreat, don’t make a minority of yourself.
Negative effects of the joining of new EU states?
PvdA member of europarliament Joke Swiebel, one of the first activists for the rights for homosexuals, cannot find many. I really can’t imagine that the standard we have reached now , concerning the rights for sexual freedom, will be diminished because of the joining of other countries. Europe will add no water to the soup. Maybe people can get that impression, but in my opinion it is profitable for the homosexuals and lesbians in for example Poland and later on Rumania.
Something else though, are the practical results. How many people will actually use their rights? Dare they? How strong is the intimidation? Do they have time and courage to fight for their rights and all kinds of procedures?
Even for this the European parliament can be of great help, says Swiebel. “ I always call it the “shoe-lift effect” Those who are privileged, can show other people the way. Help them to come further. Organisations, but even officials and politicians”.
The European Parliament (EP) has played an important role to get the rights for homosexuals down for discussion on the EU agenda.
Five years ago in the first reports of the European Commission about the candidate - members, was no attention paid to eliminate the discrimination of sexual nature. So it is now. Recently Hungary has adapted the law. In Bulgaria their still are many problems, but this country will probably join the EU together with Rumania as nr.12 and 13 in 2007.
Age of consent
Besides, there is a lot more to do in the present EU. Recently Austria has changed the laws concerning “Age of consent”, which means that sex between homosexual people is allowed at the same age as sex between heterosexuals. But still boys are imprisoned for this in Austria.
We also have the Portuguese law that still is old fashioned, but in practise nobody cares, says Swiebel.
Actually, the entire action for the rights for homosexuals in the candidate-states, done by Europarliament, is an enormous success. In the new member-countries, everything about the Age of consent has been taken away here immediately. That is the effect of our leverage. And now that things are changing, there is no turning back for politicians in the present EU countries. Remember the PACS in France, the cohabitation-contracts that also can be used by couples of the same sex. Although there now is a right government that was not in favour for this in their opposition time, but legally there is no turning back. No matter if the law passes in a right or a left government, once there, it cannot be changed. And of course there will always be politicians who talk in an extreme or disriminating way but don’t let that worry you. Stay alert, of course.
Burgomaster.
Go straight on and don’t let yourself be pulled back, is Joke Swiebels slogan. That what happened to Bertrand Delanoe, burgomaster of Paris, who was stabbed don’t let this intimidate you. In the EU we now start a petition signed by several politicians, amongst them the minister of environment for New Zealand, Chris Carter. This to show that we won’t turn back. We will keep the rights that we have achieved after a long struggle.
Too rosy.
Of course it is easy to talk in this way from here. I have a comfortable position, literally, she says, pointing at the capital of Europe from her office on the fifth floor. There is still a lot to do in certain countries. And the battle goes on. It would be unreal to think that there will be marriage of homosexuals in the entire United Europe. This will take about at least 20 years. In Holland we now also have problems with immigrants, with the imams. This situation may be compared to times when the vicars preached damnation for 30 years ago. We may be optimistic, but don’t forget that action leads to result. Even in the new member countries is our support, from the Netherlands and other countries, through organisations as COC , of vital importance.
Organisations in East-Europe are being successful. For ten years ago it would be impossible to organize a demonstration there, says PvdA-politician. But now it is possible, and that is real progress.
How long ago was it when people jeered at us, when we e.g. organised the first gay pride in den Bosch. I still imagine the housewifes standing in front of me. Their mouths wide open because they had never seen something like this. This is past . But still it is impossible for homosexual partners to kiss inpublic.What I want to say is this, all freedom is relative.But we are making progress, absolutely.”
It is a good the day to talk about this subject, says Marco Cappato, member of the Europarliament for the Italian Radical Party.
Earlier this afternoon the European Commission , the daily government of the EU, has presented the reports of the 8 East European countries ,Cyprus and Malta, that probably will enter the EU in 2004 . The conclusion : There is still a lot of work to be done, but towards the end of 2004 they will be ready to enter a United Europe. I hadn’t expect anything else, says Cappato, since years a fighter for the rights of the homosexuals. However, I prefer to call it freedom of sexuality. No ever what it is, homo-, hetero- bi – or transsexual: everybody must have the right to experience sexuality in his own way. This right must be guaranteed by Europe.
European Voice.
However, Cappato (who candidates for the nomination of “member of Europarliament of the year”, together with PvdA member Van Hulten, in the exclusive magazine for Brussels The European Voice), is not very optimistic about this. Of course the joining of the new countries will mean a lot for the homosexuals in these countries. Without the EU certain laws would not have been changed at all or probably much later. That is pure profit, but don’t expect too much. It will still take a long time before there will come a real end to discrimination. Maybe you should not have too great expectations, either.‘ Laws concerning sexuality is in my opinion a matter of each country, the national parliaments. Based on the freedom of contact for people in Europe. Everybody must have the right to build a life, family, friends the way that he or she wants. But there will never be a complete European policy for homosexuality.
De members will always want some control. Quite right, I think. Fact is that the state regulates everything in this sphere’
The Vatican Lobby
The Radical Party is the odd- man –out in Italian politics.
The group, built around the former European commissioner Emma Bonino, who now also is a member of the European Parliament, and the old Liberal Marco Panella, sometimes tends to very radical, almost anarchistic ideas.
Freedom of sexual moral, total legalization of drugs and an ‘international and radical cooperation in Europe’: this is difficult for catholic Italy. Nevertheless contribute the “Radicali “ with 7 of the 79 Italian members of europarliament. Cappato profiles within the party especially on issues as drugs, the rights of the homosexuals, but even on electronic communication.
There is a lot coming in here, tells Carpato, pointing at the all the documents on his office in Brussels. Yet, the situation of the homosexuals, especially in Italy has his special attention. ‘Don’t forget that there still is a tuff Vatican lobby to get their ideas through as a central ideology for the European Union. We have to fight that both here and in Italy. In Italy homosexuals don’t have the right to marry and that will surely last many years.’ And the right to divorce will take still more time’, he adds laughing, referring to two roman people who married in Holland. But back in Italy their marriage was not recognized, so now they do not know what their civil status is. ‘In Holland you have a luxurious position, don’t think that entire Europe within the first 20 years can claim the same rights. Forget that. Therefore it is important being continuously active on national level, with the European anti discrimination rules as an absolute condition. But the European power is limited. Being honest, Europe cannot and will not force on a homo-marriage.
Money…..
Cappato especially wants to use the EU as a political pressure on other countries that do not care about the rights of the homosexuals. In fact all kinds of human rights. Our colleague Olivier Dupuis ( Belgian member of europarliament, also part of the “Radicali” ) is engaged in attacking the violation of the human rights in e.g. Laos. This is also what EU must do for the 51 men in Egypt, who have been put in prison because they had joined in a party for homosexuals on a Nile boat. Europe must simply not tolerate such. All those fundamentalistic countries or governments that fear this in our countries: punish them via trade pacts or cooperations agreements with the EU. If countries are not seriously involved in rights for homosexuals, Europe simply has to stop these agreements or the money flow. Here I see more possibilities for the European Union.
Cappato can understand the concern in Holland about a larger European Union. If more countries that ignore the rights for homosexuals will join us, than this will lead to a decline of the average level. This is what many fear, I know. But this is wrong. Now there is at least a certain minimal protection, which did not exist before. Without a Europe everything would probably have stayed the same. But maybe one should, even in Holland stop seeing homosexuals as a minority. We are all EU citizens. No matter if it concerns your being, religion or language, that is a part of you, not your total identity.”
Defensive
Holland tends to have a defensive attitude towards other countries. This is shown for example in their drugs policy and euthanasia. In these cases Holland uses a kind of excuse: “sorry, we have to do this because of our political reality, so please let us have our exception”. That is wrong. Better to present it as a model to be followed by others. Even when it concerns alternatives for cohabitation. Show the positive sides of it and let the other members get used to it. Don’t retreat, don’t make a minority of yourself.
Negative effects of the joining of new EU states?
PvdA member of europarliament Joke Swiebel, one of the first activists for the rights for homosexuals, cannot find many. I really can’t imagine that the standard we have reached now , concerning the rights for sexual freedom, will be diminished because of the joining of other countries. Europe will add no water to the soup. Maybe people can get that impression, but in my opinion it is profitable for the homosexuals and lesbians in for example Poland and later on Rumania.
Something else though, are the practical results. How many people will actually use their rights? Dare they? How strong is the intimidation? Do they have time and courage to fight for their rights and all kinds of procedures?
Even for this the European parliament can be of great help, says Swiebel. “ I always call it the “shoe-lift effect” Those who are privileged, can show other people the way. Help them to come further. Organisations, but even officials and politicians”.
The European Parliament (EP) has played an important role to get the rights for homosexuals down for discussion on the EU agenda.
Five years ago in the first reports of the European Commission about the candidate - members, was no attention paid to eliminate the discrimination of sexual nature. So it is now. Recently Hungary has adapted the law. In Bulgaria their still are many problems, but this country will probably join the EU together with Rumania as nr.12 and 13 in 2007.
Age of consent
Besides, there is a lot more to do in the present EU. Recently Austria has changed the laws concerning “Age of consent”, which means that sex between homosexual people is allowed at the same age as sex between heterosexuals. But still boys are imprisoned for this in Austria.
We also have the Portuguese law that still is old fashioned, but in practise nobody cares, says Swiebel.
Actually, the entire action for the rights for homosexuals in the candidate-states, done by Europarliament, is an enormous success. In the new member-countries, everything about the Age of consent has been taken away here immediately. That is the effect of our leverage. And now that things are changing, there is no turning back for politicians in the present EU countries. Remember the PACS in France, the cohabitation-contracts that also can be used by couples of the same sex. Although there now is a right government that was not in favour for this in their opposition time, but legally there is no turning back. No matter if the law passes in a right or a left government, once there, it cannot be changed. And of course there will always be politicians who talk in an extreme or disriminating way but don’t let that worry you. Stay alert, of course.
Burgomaster.
Go straight on and don’t let yourself be pulled back, is Joke Swiebels slogan. That what happened to Bertrand Delanoe, burgomaster of Paris, who was stabbed don’t let this intimidate you. In the EU we now start a petition signed by several politicians, amongst them the minister of environment for New Zealand, Chris Carter. This to show that we won’t turn back. We will keep the rights that we have achieved after a long struggle.
Too rosy.
Of course it is easy to talk in this way from here. I have a comfortable position, literally, she says, pointing at the capital of Europe from her office on the fifth floor. There is still a lot to do in certain countries. And the battle goes on. It would be unreal to think that there will be marriage of homosexuals in the entire United Europe. This will take about at least 20 years. In Holland we now also have problems with immigrants, with the imams. This situation may be compared to times when the vicars preached damnation for 30 years ago. We may be optimistic, but don’t forget that action leads to result. Even in the new member countries is our support, from the Netherlands and other countries, through organisations as COC , of vital importance.
Organisations in East-Europe are being successful. For ten years ago it would be impossible to organize a demonstration there, says PvdA-politician. But now it is possible, and that is real progress.
How long ago was it when people jeered at us, when we e.g. organised the first gay pride in den Bosch. I still imagine the housewifes standing in front of me. Their mouths wide open because they had never seen something like this. This is past . But still it is impossible for homosexual partners to kiss inpublic.What I want to say is this, all freedom is relative.But we are making progress, absolutely.”
