Gathering for D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activists and LGBTI and disability rights activists

29.07.2019

Apply now to participate in the Gathering for D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activists and LGBTI and disability rights activists in Europe and Central Asia.

D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people face specific barriers and challenges when accessing human rights. Accessibility and inclusiveness have more and more been part of LGBTI groups and organizations’ conversations and practices. Yet most D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people continue to be marginalized in LGBTI movements across Europe and Central Asia. Many D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people have strongly advocated for spaces and agendas within LGBTI or disability rights movements that are more inclusive of them and of their experiences. Some have started their own groups or organized events to better cater to their community and its needs.

As part of our work on movement building and intersectionality, ILGA-Europe is inviting you to apply to participate in the Gathering for D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activists in Europe and Central Asia, to be held on 21 – 24 November 2019 in Brussels.

This meeting will be a space for D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activists and LGBTI and disability rights activists in the region to take stock of the various forms of D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activism. It aims to provide a space for activists to jointly think about possible ways forward when it comes to movement building.

For the time-being we still are struggling with limited resources, but we are committed to make the best use of them to ensure that this meeting is fully accessible to those who will participate. This meeting also plays an important part of our own learning.

At this event, you will:

  • Meet other D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activists and LGBTI and disability rights activists in Europe and Central Asia, who are active at grassroots, regional, national or international levels;
  • Share your experiences working as a D/deaf and disabled LGBTI activist or LGBTI and disability rights activist;
  • Understand more of the contexts the other participants work in, including key issues and strategies that activists use;
  • Exchange and pull together knowledge, tools and practices to support and strengthen D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people, communities and movements;
  • Map existing gaps, needs and resources within the D/deaf and disabled LGBTI movements with regard to movement building;
  • Participate in a joint thinking process regarding potential avenues for movement building at the regional level.

The meeting will be held in English.

ILGA-Europe will cover travel, meals and accommodation costs for the duration of the meeting (from the evening of 21 November, to the morning of 24 November).

ILGA-Europe will provide support in the best possible way and work to meet accessibility requirements within the scope of our capacity and resources.

Scroll down for more information on the event and practical details below.

Do not hesitate to contact us via email at valeria@ilga-europe.org or by calling 0032 2 609 56 52 (Valeria’s number at ILGA-Europe):

  • If you have doubts or questions related to this event.
  • If you need support to finalize your application or if applying in writing doesn’t work for you.
  • If you will not be able to apply or travel to Brussels but you would still like to be involved in or informed about this event. 

What will the workshop cover?

The meeting will aim to provide a safe space where participants are encouraged to share their own experiences and hear from the experiences of others. It will combine peer exchange in bigger and smaller groups, informal discussion sessions on movement building, priorities, needs and potential ways forward. The program of the workshop will be based on participants’ contributions and expectations.

The meeting will be held in English.

Who should come?

You are strongly encouraged to apply if

  • You identify as a D/deaf and disabled and LGBTI person/activist or LGBTI and disability rights activists;
  • You are an individual activist or part of a group or organization in Europe and Central Asia;
  • You have experience in relevant human rights advocacy or policy work, or in delivering services to D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people;
  • You are able to participate for the full duration of the training;
  • You communicate effectively in English or sign language.

We also encourage non-disabled LGBTI activists to apply if they work on LGBTI and disability rights.

Selection criteria

The selection will be based on the:

  • Relevance of your  work in relation to the experiences of D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people;
  • Ability to share information about the experiences of D/deaf and disabled LGBTI people in your local or country context and/or at the regional level;
  • Desire to participate in a strategic discussion on movement building within the context of LGBTI/disability rights;
  • Cooperation or intention to build alliances with other activists in the region.

Practical details

Date and Place of the Training

Date: 21-24 November 2019
Place: Brussels, Belgium
Arrival: 21 November, Thursday
Departure: 24 November, Sunday

Travel reimbursement

ILGA-Europe will reimburse travel costs after participants attend the full meeting. When the selection process is concluded, participants that are selected to attend the meeting need to make their own travel arrangements.

Participants should look for the cheapest mode of transport available (economy class airfare or 2nd class train), that takes into account needs accessibility and reasonable adjustments, as previously agreed on by ILGA-Europe. If travel costs are more than € 250, participants should let ILGA-Europe know and wait for ILGA-Europe approval before the booking/purchase of the ticket. Local travel (buses, trains, etc.) will be covered through a per diem provided at the training.

If you are not able to pay for your travel costs and be reimbursed later, you should indicate that in the application form.

Meals and accommodation

ILGA-Europe will cover costs for the accommodation and meals from the evening of 21 November to the morning of 24 November. During the meeting lunches are usually provided by ILGA-Europe. For meals that we don’t provide directly we provide pocket money. Any other costs, relating to meals and accommodation outside of these times, will have to be covered by the participant unless previously agreed with ILGA-Europe.

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that the meeting is accessible to all participants.

Please state your accessibility and reasonable adjustment needs in the application form. Please mention in particular if you require travel and accommodation reimbursement for a Personal Assistant; if you require sign language interpretation or if you require the support of a palantypist (speech to text captioning); and if you are not able to make your own travel arrangements.

ILGA-Europe will provide support in the best possible way and work to meet accessibility requirements within the scope of our capacity and resources.

Application process

Applications closed.

The language D/deaf and disabled people reflects the terms used in the publication Nathan Gale, (2017) “Oppression Squared: D/deaf and disabled trans experiences in Europe” Transgender Europe. See here: https://tgeu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Oppression-Squared.pdf

Such language was used by the group of experts gathered under that project and is informed by their experiences and extensive activism across Europe. We decided to refer to this language for this event. However, as stated in the publication “it is important to note the variety of terms that are used by D/deaf and disabled people to describe their experiences and to acknowledge that there is not always agreement on the language used”. We hope that this will not discourage potential applicants. Do reach out in case you have questions or doubts.

* This meeting is funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020).