A resolution approved by the European Parliament demands that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people be upheld fully within the EU and defended systematically in its external relations. Also MEPs called for gender identity disorders to be removed from the World Health Organisation's classification of mental and behavioural disorders.

The European Parliament approved a resolution in which MEPs condemn the fact that homosexuality, bisexuality and trans-sexuality are still regarded as mental illnesses, requiring psychiatric treatment, in some countries, including some EU Member States, and they call for this to stop. Thus, they called for gender identity disorders to be removed from the World Health Organisation's classification of mental and behavioural disorders. On the resolution they also requested that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people be upheld fully within the EU and defended systematically in its external relations.

Moreover, MEPs also call on Member States to ensure freedom of movement for same-sex couples and their families in the EU as well as access to preventive health-care and medical treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Parliament points to the obligation of EU Member States to grant asylum to people from non-EU countries who are fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation.

In addition, during the plenary session it took place a debate with the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on this subject. The High Representative highlighted last May on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the strong commitment of the European Union to the entitlement of all persons to enjoy the full range of human rights without discrimination. She added that the EU is fully committed to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at the UN and welcomes the ground-breaking UN Human Rights Council Resolution passed in June this year. It backs plans to continue discussions at the next session of the UN Human Rights Council, taking the view that a "respectful and open dialogue" amongst all regions of the world is indispensable.