Portugal formally adopts national anti-discrimination day with unanimous vote

PinkNews logo with white background and rainbow corners

As the US Supreme Court approved same-sex marriage, the Portuguese Parliament also took a step forward for LGBT rights.

On Friday the Parliament unanimously approved a measure to formally adopt 17 May as the National Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia’.

In doing so, the Parliament committed to “engage in fulfilling national and international commitments to combat homophobic and transphobic discrimination,” according to Publico.

The text of the resolution reads that the day “is celebrated around the world and officially recognised in several states and within the European Union as the date that marks the long journey to combat homophobic and transphobic discrimination and struggle for recognition of rights under the law, recalling the moment when, in 1990, the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases, knocking both a real and symbolic barrier of homophobic prejudice. ”

While Portugal legalised same-sex marriage in 2010, the country still prohibits adoption by same-sex couples.