MEP expresses ‘mixed feelings’ over gay group

Date: 12/09/02

By Paul Gallagher

MEP Michael Cashman has launched a new inter-parliamentary group to campaign on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

The UK Socialist, a long-term gay rights activist, admitted he had mixed emotions about the formation of the group, which has been three years in the making.

'I'm extremely pleased, but simultaneously disheartened that in this day and age we need this sort of body to protect people's rights,' he said.

'Originally there was little support within other parliamentary groups to set it up. This was partly due to past profligacy of inter-parliamentary groups but also because, sadly, some politicians think it's an issue they shouldn't, or don't want to, deal with.'

The new group will campaign for equal rights for minority groups not just within the EU, but also in accession states.

Several applicant countries, for example, still have differing ages of consent for heterosexuals and gays.

Other aims the new group espouses include that gay couples legally married in one member state can enjoy free movement of labour rights in other member states.

'We need uniformity of approach,' said Cashman. 'One legally recognised couple in Holland should not be inhibited in moving to work within another member state.

'It's lamentable that in 21st-century society, equal rights for gays, lesbians and transgender peoples are still on the agenda only because society perceives them to be extraordinary.

'This is an issue which should be redundant by now.'

MEP Michael Cashman has launched a new inter-parliamentary group to campaign on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. The new group will campaign for equal rights for minority groups not just within the EU, but also in accession states.