OPINION OF ADVOCATE GENERAL SHARPSTON delivered on 31 October 2019(1)

Case C‑507/18 NH v Associazione Avvocatura per i diritti LGBTI — Rete Lenford

(Request for a preliminary ruling from the Corte suprema di cassazione (Italy))

(Directive 2000/78/EC — Equal treatment in employment and occupation — Discrimination based on sexual orientation — Article 3(1)(a) — Access to employment — Public statements excluding the recruitment of homosexuals — Article 8(1) — Article 9(2) — Enforcement and remedies — Standing of an association in the absence of an identifiable victim — Claims for damages)

Conclusion

111.  I therefore propose that the Court should reply to the questions referred by the Corte suprema di cassazione (Supreme Court of Cassation, Italy) as follows:

–        Remarks made by an interviewee during a radio programme stating that he would never hire a homosexual person to work in his law firm nor wish to use the services of such persons are capable of falling within the scope of Article 3(1)(a) of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, as being likely to hinder access to employment.

–        When those statements are not made in the context of a current recruitment procedure, it is for the national court to assess whether the link with access to employment is not hypothetical, in the light of the status and capacity of the person who made the statements, the nature, content and context of the statements, as well as the extent to which such statements might discourage persons belonging to the protected group from applying for employment with that employer.

–        The prohibition, under Article 2 and 3 of Directive 2000/78, of statements that amount to direct discrimination in relation to access to employment cannot be considered to be an interference with freedom of expression such as to violate rights guaranteed by Article 11(1) of the Charter.

–        Articles 8(1) and 9(2) of Directive 2000/78 permit national legislation giving associations with a legitimate interest standing to bring proceedings for the enforcement of obligations under Directive 2000/78 in the absence of an identifiable victim. It is for national law to lay down the criteria to determine whether an association has such a legitimate interest, subject to the principles of equivalence and effectiveness.

–        An association that has a legitimate interest in bringing proceedings may ask for discriminatory conduct to be sanctioned in an effective, proportionate and dissuasive manner, including by an award of damages, under the conditions laid down by national law.

curia.europa.eu/juris/celex.jsf?celex=62018CC0507&lang1=de&type=TXT&ancre=

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ny-alqaws-palestinian-authority-police-lgbtq-persecution-violence-20191101-lde7yujhfjdnbkn6nogqwa3lka-story.html

Read more: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/gai-update/

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/10/24/jeffrey-younger-luna-daughter-transition-texas-court-ted-cruz/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PNnewsletter

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/22/what-a-day-to-be-gay-in-northern-ireland-joy-for-couples-at-historic-change

Le Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur l’orientation sexuelle et l’identité de genre de la PlaGe a le plaisir de vous convier à la conférence de    Camille Robcis (Columbia University)      Genre, race et reproduction nationale lors du mariage pour tous    Jeudi 31 octobre de 17h30 à 19h00, Géopolis 1620    Plus d’informations sur le site web de la PlaGe.

Berne, 22.10.2019 – Lors de sa 66ème session à Genève, le Comité des droits économiques, sociaux et culturels a adressé à la Suisse ses recommandations concernant l’application du Pacte I de l’ONU le 21 octobre 2019.

Le Comité a adressé une trentaine de recommandations à la Suisse. … Il recommande à la Suisse d’adopter une loi générale contre la discrimination et de créer une institution nationale des droits de l’homme. D’autres recommandations du Comité concernent notamment …l’intégration des minorités.

https://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil/documentation/communiques.msg-id-76762.html

UN Free & Equal is joining forces with GLAAD to celebrate Spirit Day and the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child – and we want YOU to join us!

Spirit Day is the largest, most visible LGBTI anti-bullying campaign in the world and joining is simple: On 17 October, wear something purple to work or to school and share a selfie on social media. Educate yourself about the human rights concerns of LGBTI youth. Change your profile picture to Spirit Day Purple. Share our new campaign video to initiate a conversation about LGBTI equality with your friends and family members. Spread the word far and wide that you are an ally of young LGBTI people – not just on Spirit Day but every day.

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/10/15/ivf-citizenship-ireland-poland-spain-same-sex-couple-family-child-nationality-lgbt/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PNnewsletter