Sport

The fight against homophobia the EU Dimension and the role of sport

Bart OoijenSport UnitDG Education and CultureEuropean Commission

Utrecht, Netherlands

12 October 2012

Sport

The principle of equal treatment is a fundamental value for the European Union, which is going to great lengths to combat homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation

Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Lisbon Treaty) allows taking appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation

Sport

Five pillars:

EU ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION MAINSTREAMING OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION IN ALL EU POLICIES PROMOTING AWARENESS AND SUPPORTING PROJECTS MOBILISING STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH DIALOGUE MONITORING AND RESEARCH

EU Anti Discrimination

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How far have we come today in 2012?

• Europe with growing nationalism, xenophobia and intolerance. What does this mean for LGTBI people? - Pride festivals are being disrupted lesbian, gay and transgender people are falling victim to hate crime. - People are discriminated against and are victims

of other forms of intolerance. - there are still several Member States that don’t acknowledge same sex marriages.

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It's getting better- European Union membership has contributed to improving the situation for LGBTI people around Europe

- The Copenhagen criteria require applicant countries to pay full respect to human rights:

all candidate countries and states applying for membership have abolished legislation

banning homosexuality.

- positive developments in the Balkans.

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It's getting better- the Employment Equality Directive adopted in

2000 prohibits discrimination in the workplace.

- EU completes the legal Framework Decision against discrimination. (discrimination is

crime)

- cooperation with Member States on public policies combating discrimination and

promoting equality through an exchange of good practices and seminars on mainstreaming LGBTI

dimensions in different areas.

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What more needs to be done?

• Fundamental Rights Agency conduct a survey on the discrimination, hate speech and hate crime against LGBTI people in all EU Member States.

• Does the EU needs a comprehensive strategy to be able to really address the problems and improve the situation.

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What role SPORT can play?

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What role SPORT can play?

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What role SPORT can play?

New UK charter tackles homophobia in sport 2011

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Premier league clubs refused to campaign

"We need some role models in this country if we want more people to come out, but there are none. The only openly gay footballers, someone like my uncle who has passed away. It is still a harsh reality for the next person coming out knowing that my uncle committed suicide".@AmalFashanu

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What role SPORT can play?

German gay footballers get support of Angela Merkel

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What role European SPORT can play?

UEFA fines Antonio Cassano €15,000 for ‘Homophobic Slur’ used At EURO 2012 Press Conference

23 out-Olympic athlete competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics

ENGSO Youth Sport speaks out on TabooPhobia - Developing a youth led campaign to challenge homophobia in and through sport

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Is there an added value for the Europe Union

to play a role in this field of sport?

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Article 165 TFEU (Lisbon treaty 1-12-2009)

• Promotion of European sporting issues, while taking account of:• the specific nature of sport, • its structures based on voluntary activity • its social and educational function.• Principle of subsidiarity

• Developing the European dimension in sport, by promoting:• fairness and openness in sporting competitions• cooperation between bodies responsible for sports, And by protecting the physical and moral integrity of sportsmen and sportswomen, especially the youngest sportsmen and sportswomen.

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White Paper on Sport/Communication

Using the potential of sport for social inclusion, integration and equal opportunities

Sport as a tool of social cohesion – fight against exclusion, empowering individuals, combating all forms of discrimination including homophobia

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What role EU SPORT can play? • Fight against homophobia in sport:

- spectators of professional team sports- exchange of good practices on professional and grassroots sports- make framework decision discrimination

applicable for sport legislation • Use sport as a tool because of its popularity and

media coverage to change attitude in society

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Conclusions• Non-discriminatory laws, code of conducts,

charters, seminars, a vigilant civil society are no guarantee for success for an inclusive society.

• Sport governing bodies could contribute to this process if it will take the fight against homophobia seriously

• To really change and influence people's attitudes and feelings in a dynamic European Union remains a challenge, long term substantial and tailor made projects are necessary and sport can be part of this.

• You will find the EU on your side, where possible!

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Thank youfor your attention !

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