Homophobia is a pan-European phenomenon

In Lithuania a law has been passed that defines homosexuality as a threat to children. The driving force behind the legislation was Christian-conservative parties and the Roman Catholic Church, the national daily NRC Handelsblad writes: "But it's not just these political-religious factors that have enabled a barely concealed homophobic law to take effect in Lithuania. Much remains to be done in other places in the EU as well. In neighbouring Latvia, which from a religious point of view was formed by Luther rather than by Rome, the organisers of the Gay Pride parade have had to clear countless hurdles put in their way by politicians since the first parade in 2005. Even the Netherlands … is no oasis of openness. … Apparently homosexuality can't be normal. …So it's not fair to point a finger only at the eastern countries. It would be good if the Lithuanian law was declared null and void by Europe's highest judges but we need to be on guard - even in the West."

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