Tory MEPs have voted against the withdrawal of gender identity from the the International Classification of Diseases' list of mental and behavioural disorders.
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Tory MEPs have voted against the withdrawal of gender identity from the the International Classification of Diseases’ list of mental and behavioural disorders.
Daniel Hannan and Nirj Deva voted alongside the likes of the BNP’s Nick Griffin and Andrew Brons in opposing Labour MEP Richard Howitt’s amendment to human rights legislation, with other Tories abstaining.
The amendment, which was passed by 353 votes to 268 with 52 abstentions:
• Commends the Council, the EEAS, the VP/HR, the Commission and the Member States on their engagement in favour of LGBT people’s human rights in bilateral relations with third countries, in multilateral forums, and through the EIDHR;
• Welcomes the reintroduction by the UN General Assembly of sexual orientation as grounds for protection from extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution, and welcomes the EU’s efforts to this end;
• Calls on the Commission to advocate the withdrawal of gender identity from the list of mental and behavioural disorders in the negotiations on the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and to seek a non-pathologising reclassification;
• Reasserts that the principle of non-discrimination, also embracing grounds of sex and sexual orientation, must not be compromised in the ACP-EU partnership;
• Reiterates its request that the Commission produce a comprehensive roadmap against homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, also addressing human rights violations on these grounds in the world;
• Calls on the Member States to grant asylum to people fleeing persecution in countries where LGBT people are criminalised, taking into consideration applicants’ well founded fears of persecution, and relying on their self-identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
• London Mayoral elections: Livinstone launches LGBT manifesto 13 Apr 2012
• Cameron must speak out against Canada’s anti-gay marriage ruling 13 Jan 2012
• Equal love: Time for the UK Parliament to recognise gay marriage 19 Dec 2011
• Time for the Commonwealth to stop the criminalisation of sexuality 28 Oct 2011
• Tory MEP’s false claims on gay rights 7 Oct 2009
Following the vote, Howitt attacked Tory views on LGBT issues as “neanderthal”, “whatever [David] Cameron claims”, with fellow Labour MEP Michael Cashman, co-chair of the European Parliament’s LGBT Inter-group, adding:
“These Tories should explain why they refused to support an engagement in favour of LGBT people’s human rights when the EU negotiates with countries outside the EU and in multilateral forums. It’s important we use our trading power to encourage reform in countries where LGBT people are persecuted.
“We called for the reintroduction by the UN General Assembly of sexual orientation as grounds for protection from extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution also embracing grounds of sex and sexual orientation – this is human decency and every British MEP should fully support it.
“So why did the Tories abstain?”
44 Responses to “Tory MEPs vote for gender identity to be on list of mental and behavioural disorders”
Brian Hubbledecker
Right there are a number of things we will disagree on. I am a working class lefty and you are a conservative toff – pie and beans versus caviar! However, I am fast finding out that the readers of this column are more like the Peoples Judaean Front endlessly chatting about more and more obscure issues rather than the beef than faces the working folk of Britain. Why is it ‘right wing’ to oppose the EU and ‘left wing’ to support the working families and public services we rely upon? Both are common sense but as soon as you label something ‘right wing’ (which leaving the EU is not as my buddy Bob Crowe will tell you) some of these people oppose it not on merit but because of who proposes it! I agree with you on the EU and wish there was some way to strap you and Bob Crowe together so we could see the issuer coming out on both sides. The EU is cancer to the working class of Britain and the enterprise that creates sustainable tax positive jobs – Yes, some of us lefties do actually believe that enterprise is good (apart from some of the clowns here who reckon a corner shop is part of a global elitist conspiracy!) Anyway, just thought I’d say I’m with you on the EU and I don’t think you are a homophobe – as far as tory twits go (hehe) – your one of the better ones!
Brian Hubbledecker
I think your picking on the wrong tory mate … I don’t think Hannan is a homophobe and as tories go he’s one of the better ones. If you want a homophobe have a look in the cabinet mate … perhaps Clarke?, Osbourne? Cameron? who do you think told the tory MEPs to vote this way ?? If you and left foot forward want our message to gain traction what are we doing guddling around at MEP level for a story/cause when we know where the bloody problem really lies?? Apologies it just frustrates me ….
Brumanuensis
Brian, I explicitly stated that I didn’t think Hannan is a homophobe. I’ve no doubt he is personally devoid of anti-gay prejudice. However his argument is evasive, because he knows full well that the consequence of his vote is to inhibit the fight against anti-gay laws. There’s nothing in the amendment he voted against that anyone could reasonably object to. It doesn’t even create a new EU body. All it does is call on EU member states to welcome asylum seekers fleeing anti-gay persecution, for example in Iran, and remove out-dated medical assessments of homosexuality.
Hannan knows this and has placed his disdain for the EU over the individual rights of its member citizens. For a man who claims to believe in small government and individual freedoms, he’s got a funny way of going about it.
I actually think the Tories you mention aren’t homophobic at all. Cameron said some unpleasant things about Section 28, but that was a decade ago and he’s apologised. Osborne has always been liberal and is a strong supporter of gay marriage.
Brumanuensis
Blagger is nothing if not predictable, Newsbot9.
Anonymous
I agree.
But I also think the problem with “gay marriage” is the state getting involved in anything more than registering partnerships in the first place.