Realizing Specific Rights for Same-Sex Couples within the European Union

“Article 21: Non-Discrimination…….. Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.”1 Over the past four years, the majority of the world has seen an increase Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) movements. As such, the rights of Same-Sex couples have either been established and affirmed or denied. While I am most familiar with the various legal movements taking place within the United States of America, I have decided to examine specific rights, and the lack thereof, of the same-sex couples within the European Union.