Original scientific paper
GAY RIGHTS IN THE EU: A LONG WAY FORWARD FOR THE UNION OF 27
Dimitry Kochenov
Abstract
Dimitry Kochenov
Summary: This article provides a summary of the evolution of gay rights in the European
Union. It highlights some legal lacunae in the protection of these rights which should be
dealt with, and provides a sketch of the necessary developments in the near future. It
identifies the main lines of gay rights development in the context of European
integration, and views it from the larger perspective of other jurisdictions. Attention is
given to Directive 2000/78/EC and the general context of transformation and
enlargement, in which the Union has added a number of Member States that can be
characterised as more homophobic than not. The article provides several illustrations of
negative developments in gay rights in Eastern Europe, particularly in the new Member
States of Latvia and Poland. In addition to the challenge of enlargement, it argues,
Directive 2000/78/EC itself is far from an ideal instrument for assisting European gays.
Rather, it only marks the first step forward, with many challenges lying ahead.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
28569
URI
Publication date:
2.11.2007.
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