The European Union (EU) takes the issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights seriously: the unacceptability of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is specifically mentioned in the most important EU document, its Treaty, and all EU member states agreed to ban such discrimination in employment by the end of 2003.
The EU is the result of European integration started after World War II to prevent conflicts between European countries by closer economic integration and the creation of a free internal market without national boundaries. Although the EU was originally primarily concerned with economic affairs, its aims and powers are now expanding to include fundamental rights and freedoms.
Currently the EU consists of 15 member states and the UK joined in 1973. Now the EU is preparing for the accession of a further 13 eastern and southern European countries.
