HOME | ARCHIVE | EMAIL US | TRAVEL SECTION

EUROPEAN UNION

Buzek Pledges Support for Rights of Gay and Transgender Men and Women – and Pride Marches

Socialists get commitment from former Polish Prime Minister
 

STRASBOURG, July 13, 2009  –  Jerzy Buzek, the former Polish Prime Minister and now an MEP, has today pledged to defend the rights of gay and transgendered men and women.

Meeting this afternoon with the PES (Socialist) group – the second largest in the European Parliament –  on the eve of the election of the President of the  Parliament, Mr. Buzek was pressed by group MEPs on his approach to the Parliament’s non-discrimination policy, including LGBT rights.

Although he is reported to have ‘hedged’ a little over LGBT rights in the private meeting, when pressed by Michael Cashman, the president of the all-party ‘intergroup on gay and lesbian rights, Mr. Buzek pleaded to “speak out in defence of LGBT people – and against countries which try to ban Pride marches,” Mr. Cashman told UK Gay News.

He also agreed to support women’s rights, including the right to choice for abortions, and all other groups who are discriminated against in some EU countries.

Mr Buzek’s pledges are seen in Strasbourg as a major concession as earlier this year he voted against the non-discrimination bill in the last Parliament.

If elected President of the Parliament tomorrow, Mr. Buzek could well have to speak out almost immediately.

The Lithuanian parliament is expected to vote tomorrow (July 14) on its controversial ‘anti-gay’ bill which would effectively mean that LGBT issues are not discussed either in schools or in the media. The President as already vetoed the bill, saying that the definitions were not clear.  Tomorrow’s vote can over-ride the Presidential veto.

Then in early September, there is Budapest Pride, which has an unfortunate history of being targeted by the far right and religious groups.

Mr. Cashman said that he and the PES group would keep a watchful eye and would take Mr. Buzek to task if he failed to honour his pledge.

Homophobic Former Polish Prime Minister Is Front-Runner for European Parliament President.  Analysis. Former Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, now a member of the ruling Civic Platform party in Poland, looks set to become the President of the European Parliament when MEPs assemble in Strasbourg next week for the first plenary session of the new Parliament.  He has emerged as the leading contender following political ‘wheeling and dealing’ in the corridors of Brussels.  (UK Gay News, July 12, 2009)

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTER FRIENDLY PAGE

Seed Newsvine