The groups Athens Pride and Colour Youth – LGBTQ Community of Athens, commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014 in conjunction with ʺVote for your rightsʺ a joint awareness raising campaign for the 2014 European parliamentary elections.

On May 17, volunteers for the Vote for Your Rights program carried placards through the historic center of Athens, with the slogans supporters sent to the organizers. The route started from Syntagma Square and ended in Monastiraki Square, with a stop at the Church of Kapnikareas on Ermou Pedestrian Street.

This year activists underlined that it is important to vote against homophobia and transphobia, which result from the lack, in Greece, of legal recognition of LGBT rights and the lack of appropriate information and awareness.

Further Information

The European Union is making inroads in this fight by initiating relevant laws and policies. Actions taken in this direction by the European Parliament can be found (in Greek) here

More info on the event: can also be found here

More on ʺVote for Your Rightsʺ campaign: also here

Greek activists highlighted:

• The targeted attacks in Athens and other Greek cities by organized teams of far-right thugs on LGBTQI persons in the public space.
• The lack of official recognition of organized far-right violence against LGBTQI persons.
• Lack of official recognition and adequate legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
• The disregard of LGBTIQ rights on the excuse of the economic crisis