17 May 2012, Brussels - Declaration by High Representative Catherine Ashton: "Today, people around the world celebrate the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. On behalf of the European Union, I am proud to join this celebration.
Around the world, people experience discrimination and violence, and even die, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consensual same sex relations are still criminalised in 76 countries, and punished with the death penalty in at least five."