The European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights » Podcast Feed

As the parliamentary year comes to an end, we look back on the highlights of the year for LGBT rights in the European Parliament. We also welcome Dennis de Jong, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament, as a new Vice-President of the Intergroup. Ulrike Lunacek and Dennis de Jong discuss the special events that marked this year: a resolution on Lithuania, the untimely mourning of David Kato, a hearing on LGBTI rights in the world… They also look into the future and what the Intergroup is currently working on. Dennis de Jong refers to his campaign to send postcards of your experiences on holidays, check it out here (in Dutch): Click here for the English translation (Google Translate) From now on, our podcasts will not be aired monthly anymore. We will still record episodes after important events or to discuss important activities. If you’d like to suggest a podcast episode, please let us know through our Contact page.

Yesterday, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights held a public hearing on LGBTI rights in the world (read our summary). Naome Ruzindana from Rwanda and Mauro Cabral from Argentina were two of our guests, and they accepted to take part in a short interview. Listen to Mauro and Naome as they explain the state of play around the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, the difference between transgender and intersex, and how the European Union can further help human rights defenders working on sexual orientation and gender identity around the world.  

Back in April, the European Parliament voted on a resolution to provide more protection to LGBT people seeking asylum in the EU. Another similar text is being worked on right now, but what does it all mean for LGBT asylum-seekers? To find out, we’ve invited Members of the European Parliament Jean Lambert (Greens-EFA/UK) and Tanja Fajon (S&D/Slovenia), both working on asylum and migration issues in their political groups. They present the state of play around current negotiations, and what could change for LGBT people claiming asylum in the European Union.  

On 3 May 2011 we chatted with two MEPs, Christofer Fjellner and Marije Cornelissen, just before Marije flew to Moldova for the pride in Chisinau. Marije and Christofer tell us about why they find it important to attend prides themselves, what they've done in the past, and what prides they will go to in 2011.

A new constitution with a narrow definition of family; a law on the media seeking to promote ‘traditional values’; the LGBT pride march almost banned… Hungary has been the focus of our work recently. In this episode, we discuss these recent developments and what they mean for LGBT people. We’ve invited two Members of the European Parliament: Sophie in’t Veld and Rui Tavares. Sophie and Rui are Vice-Presidents of the LGBT Intergroup, and they’ve worked on the European Parliament resolution on the media law in Hungary on behalf of their political groups.

Tune in as our guests discuss the situation for minorities in Croatia, the role of the Church in Croatian politics, and what the European Parliament can do for human rights in the country.

A special episode this month: we’re with Morten Kjaerum, Director of the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency, and Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe. Together we’re discussing a brand new legal report published today: Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. New! You can subscribe to the LGBT Intergroup Podcast in iTunes, and automatically receive new episodes on your computer, iPod, iPhone… Subscribe here! This month we explore the status of European legislations when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity, including anti-discrimination, freedom of movement, hate crime, the situation for transgender people, asylum, and freedom of assembly. There won’t be a podcast in December, but we’ll be back in January 2011 for more fresh content from the European Parliament!

For the October edition of the podcast, we’re welcoming Raül Romeva i Rueda and Marije Cornelissen, two Green MEPs involved in the mainstreaming of transgender rights into the work of the European Parliament. New! You can subscribe to the LGBT Intergroup Podcast in iTunes, and automatically receive new episodes on your computer, iPod, iPhone… Subscribe here! We’re discussing a great range of topics: how can European Parliament Committees work on the rights of transgender people? What has changed recently in how the European Parliament considers discrimination on grounds of gender identity? And what will be the next steps? Next month’s edition will explore the mutual recognition of same-sex unions in the EU. As usual, you can ask a question on this topic on Facebook, Twitter, or through our contact form.

This is the first episode of the new monthly LGBT Intergroup Podcast. Our guests in September: Michael Cashman and Ulrike Lunacek MEPs, Co-presidents of the LGBT Intergroup. Every month starting in September 2010, the Intergroup will bring you short interviews of Members of the European Parliament working for LGBT rights. This month, we’ve asked Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman to tell us more about their work in the European Parliament, and to present the LGBT Intergroup. The show includes questions asked by the public on Facebook and Twitter. Next month, Raül Romeva i Rueda MEP will be with us to discuss transgender rights. Feel like asking him a question? Use our contact form, ask it on Facebook, or on Twitter!