Update: After the Euro elections what are MEPs doing for LGBT rights?

Back in June LGF online covered the European elections extensively; we asked the parties what they were going to do for LGBT rights in Europe.

In July the elected MEPs took their seats in the European Parliament and got down to business. Here we take a look at what MEPs have been doing for gay rights in Europe.

This week it was reported that Roger Helmer the Conservative MEP for the East Midlands had written on his blog that homophobia didn't exist, that he was opposed to same sex marriage and questioned the success of families that do not fit his definition of "conventional".

As part of his blog, Helmer was quick to defend members of the homophobic Polish Law and Justice party (PiS), who the Conservatives have allied themselves in Europe with as part of the the Conservative and Reformist Group (ECR).

Recently a member of the Law and Justice Party, claimed that the party were 'opposed to homosexual marriages ...that is how our MEPs will always vote'.

Helmer made clear his support for PiS, he went on to write: "our Polish colleagues are right to vote against homosexual marriage, and why I would join them in doing so."

He went on to say that he didn't "buy" homophobia, adding ''homophobia' is not so much a word as a political agenda. In psychiatry, a phobia is defined as an irrational fear. I have yet to meet anyone who has an irrational fear of homosexuals, or of homosexuality. So to the extent that the word has any meaning at all, it describes something which simply does not exist. 'Homophobia' is merely a propaganda device designed to denigrate and stigmatise those holding conventional opinions, which have been held by most people through most of recorded history."

Helmer's comments could damage David Cameron's bid to engage with the LGBT community, he's recently apologised for Section 28, and the party are holding an LGBT event as part of their annual party conference in Manchester this October.

"HELMER IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NEW CONSERVATIVE PARTY."

Matthew Sephton LGBTory Chairman has hit back at Helmer's claims saying that he is not representative of the new Conservative Party, he said: "I am completely disgusted with Roger Helmer's words. He most certainly does not represent the views of the modern Conservatives in any way, shape or form.

"To suggest that homophobia is not a real and everyday experience of many LGBT people in Britain and the world today is sheer lunacy. I am sure that Michael Causer's family for one would certainly attest to that.

"On the point of gay marriage, David Cameron made it clear in his Conference speech in 2007 that commitment, whether between a man and a woman, a man and a man or a woman and a woman is just as valid and should be respected and promoted as such. That is why we as a Party officially supported the introduction of civil partnerships.

"Roger Helmer is wrong in what he said and should be offially reprimanded by the Party for these words and for the sentiments that lie behind them and which, aside from anything else, amount to a betrayal of the fundamental Conservative ideals of equal opportunity to all individuals, without exception."

HELMER BACKTRACKS

Helmer's claims have been well documented in the press and yesterday he backtracked on his original comments in the Chronicle & Echo . He said: "I was not claiming that there is no discrimination, and that homosexuals do not suffer violence and prejudice from people because sadly, we all know that is not the case."

He added: "I was saying was that the word homophobia has no meaning...it is just a propagandist word created by the militant gay rights lobby."

LABOUR MEP SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LITHUANIA'S HOMOPHOBIC BILL

Meanwhile North West MEP Arlene McCarthy, has challenged the European Parliament to condemn Lithuania's introduction of the homophobic 'Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information'.

McCarthy who is also a member of the European Parliament's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Intergroup has said: "I and my colleagues on the LGBT Intergroup are shocked and appalled at the introduction of this homophobic law, which flies in the face of the values of the European Union - liberty, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"We have raised the issue with the European Commissioner responsible and written to the President of the European Parliament calling on him to condemn this legislation. We will continue to keep up the pressure on the Lithuanian Parliament and its members."

Tony Lloyd, Manchester Central MP and leader of Britain's Parliamentary delegation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said: "This move by the Lithuanian Parliament is totally unacceptable and undermines commitments Lithuania made in signing up to the European Convention on Human Rights as well as at the time of its entry into the European Union. I raised the issue of freedom for the LGBT community in Lithuania at a recent OSCE meeting and I will continue to call on Lithuania to change this law in line with its international commitments."

CONSERVATIVE MEP CHALLENGES HOMOPHOBIC POLISH PARTY

Last month Conservative MEP Edward McMillan-Scott was expelled from the party after rebelling and running against a member of the Law and Justice (PiS) for the post of European parliament vice-president. McMillan-Scott decided to run because he was unhappy about the Conservatives alliance with Law and Justice. The Polish party have been accused of homophobia, racism and anti semitism.

Helmer accused McMillan-Scott of trying to "undermine" and "destabilise" the Conservative and Reformist Group (ECR).

Helmer's comments may damage the work the Conservatives have been doing to engage with the LGBT community, but the actions McMillan-Scott and the words of Sephton might reassure voters about the Conservatives LGBT credentials.