In 't Veld asks Commission for mutual recognition of the rights of same-sex couples and rainbow families between Member States - Main contents

Question for written answer to the Commission

Rule 130

Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)

Subject: Mutual recognition of the rights of same-sex couples and rainbow families between Member States

Since last Friday, 12 Member States have introduced equal marriage, and another 10 Member States have registered partnership. Only six Member States do not give any formal status to same-sex couples. However, every day rainbow families travelling to or residing in a Member State other than that of their origin face discrimination because same-sex marriage, civil partnership or cohabitation is not mutually recognised by national legislation of that other Member State, despite Article 67(4) TFEU.(1)

In the List of actions by the Commission to advance LGBTI equality(2), the Commission commits to ensure that issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity are properly taken into consideration in the transposition and implementation of Directive 2004/38 on the right of free movement, and to map research of the difficulties that rainbow families encounter in cross-border situations.

• - 

  What concrete actions has the Commission taken on this topic since the launch of the Commission's LGBTI Action List in 2015?
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  What legislative proposals will the Commission take to counter those hurdles and to realise the objectives outlined in the aforementioned list?
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  Will the Commission submit a proposal for mutual recognition of same-sex couples’ rights between the 22 Member States, analogous to other initiatives for mutual recognition in the area of family law and civil matters, or state its reasons for not doing so?

• (1) 

  On access to justice through the principle of mutual recognition in civil matters.
• (2) 

  List of actions by the Commission to advance LGBTI equality (2015)

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/lgbti_actionlist_en.pdf