International trade union bodies have welcomed a European Parliament vote calling on the EU to draw up a ‘roadmap’ to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The resolution, adopted earlier this week, calls on the European Commission and member states to establish similar protections to those in place for gender, disability and ethnic discrimination.

The international trade union federation Public Services International (PSI) applauded the move and called on its affiliates – which include IMPACT – to actively oppose homophobia and organise to defend the rights of LGBT workers. “PSI unequivocally condemns any form of discrimination or violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons,” it said.

The European Parliament’s resolution, which was passed by 394 votes to 176 with 72 abstentions, came as homophobia was in the news here and abroad. Today’s official opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics has put the spotlight on human rights abuses against LGBT people in Russia. Here at home, the controversy over RTÉ’s payment of compensation to powerful journalists accused of homophobia rages on.

Last year, a survey by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency found nearly half of Europe’s LGBT people felt they were harassed or discriminated against, while over a quarter had been physically attacked or threatened with violence. MEPs now want laws revised to make incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity a crime.

MEPs say the EU roadmap should cover discrimination in employment, education, health, goods and services, families and freedom of movement, freedom of expression, hate crime and asylum.