We Are applauds EU anti-homophobia motion

LGBTQQI student organisation We Are has applauded an EU resolution condemning homophobia and discrimination.

An overwhelming majority of MEPs backed the motion in a vote taken by the European Parliament this afternoon.

“Without a doubt this is a great milestone for Europe, especially for those who have been victims of a homophobic attack or were discriminated against due to their sexual/gender identity,” We Are president Christian Vella said, adding that the resolution provided hope for a better and safer Europe.

In a statement, the organisation urged Maltese authorities to contribute towards the fight against homophobia by amending laws where necessary, as well as ensuring that topics on sexual orientation and gender identity were included in the national curriculum. We Are also thanked Maltese MEPs for acknowledging the importance of the issue.

Speaking on behalf of the EPP group last Tuesday, MEP Simon Busuttil said the European People’s Party group condemned homophobia. “We believe it must be fought. In Europe there is no room for discrimination of any kind,” he added.

We Are said it was positive to see MEP David Casa in a video released by the LGBT Intergroup on International Day Against Homophobia last Thursday.

This morning, We Are set up an online petition in support of the resolution which gained close to 400 signatures in three hours.

We Are is the lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersex student organisation on campus.