I live in a loving family with two dads. Sadly only a few countries in the European Union currently recognise my family. This means that I am unable to move around as I want with my parents and I also risk living with one of my dads being invisible from the State. Both situations are putting me and thousands of other children in same-sex families in unnecessary vulnerable situations as we are treated differently than children in families with a mum and a dad. For example, when I started in school, only one of my dads could sign my papers for my teachers. They did not accept that from my other dad. Also, when we were on holiday and I broke my arm, in the hospital the doctors would only talk to one of my dads and he was the only one who could visit me. My other dad had to wait outside as the hospital did not accept that I have two daddies.
As a citizen of the European Union all people should be allowed to pass between borders without discrimination, including children. With legal inconsistencies across the European Union, children may be treated completely different in different countries, simply due to the gender of their parents. The good news is there is lots of help available to make a change. Help us reach our goal of 50,000 signatures →
Michael Cashman MEP explains the problems facing European same-sex parents.
"Being an lgbti parent as an experience of democracy and active citizenship" is a project designed and carried out by 5 European associations of Rainbow Families and funded by the European Union through its Lifelong learning programme.
Aim of the project: to educate lgbt parents to practise active citizenship at a European level, working for equal rights and dignity for their families. The project will assist the 5 associations involved in the project and their volunteers to develop a better understanding of citizen participation in a European context.
NELFA is registered as an NGO to represent the interests of LGBT families across Europe, representing over 20 European States.
NELFA works to eliminate discrimination and to ensure that the children of LGBT parents are not worse off because the parents who love them, care for them and raise them are of the same gender. www.nelfa.org
ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, and is bringing together 356 organisations from 44 of the 49 countries in Europe.
ILGA-Europe advocates for human rights and equality for LGBTI people at the European level, before organisations such as the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). www.ilga-europe.org
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