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# EU declared LGBTQ+ freedom zone
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/eu-declared-lgbtq-freedom-zone/
- Published: 2021-03-12T09:37:07.000Z
- Updated: 2021-03-12T09:37:07.000Z
- Description: The EU has declared itself an LGBTQ+ freedom zone in response to Poland’s rising number of ‘LGBTQ+ free’ areas.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Queer Corner, equality, Eu, European Charter of Fundamental Rights, European Union, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ free zones Poland, LGBTQ+ rights, Poland

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/eu-flag-lgbt-600-400.jpg)

The **EU** has declared itself an LGBTQ+ freedom zone in response to **Poland’s** rising number of ‘LGBTQ+ free’ areas, with 492 MEPs supporting the notion compared to 141 voting against. According to the [*BBC*](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56366750?ref=scenemag.co.uk), the EU’s declaration states: *“LGBTQ+ persons everywhere in the EU should enjoy the freedom to live and publicly show their sexual orientation and gender identity without fear of intolerance, discrimination or persecution”.*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/terry-reintke-600-400.jpg)

Terry Reintke

It was first proposed by LGBTQ+ German MEP **Terry Reintke**, who celebrated the news on Twitter,[ saying](https://twitter.com/TerryReintke/status/1370083295250280451?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1370083295250280451%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-europe-56366750&ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“Tonight we raise a glass on our wonderful community.”* The declaration also rules that *“authorities at all levels of governance across the EU should protect and promote equality and the fundamental rights of all, including LGBTQ+ persons”,* suggesting those local authorities which do not adhere could face consequences.

Poland is already at risk of losing federal funding after the EU added a new clause to its funding rules in [January 2021](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/eu-could-withdraw-polish-funding/).The new regulations mean EU countries must show respect for the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, so which refuse to adhere to the principles of gender equality and anti-discrimination could see their projects rejected for EU funding. One LGBTQ+ free zone has already[ lost €1.7m](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-free-polish-zone-loses-e1-7m-in-funding/) in European Heritage funding, meaning the other 100 anti-LGBTQ+ areas in the country could see similar repercussions.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/lgbt-pride-flag-rainbow-1.jpg)