December 2016
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ILGA-Europe |
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Turn on the lights – put the spotlight on race and ethnicity in the LGBTI communitiesIn the days leading up to the International Human Rights Day, ILGA-Europe launched the campaign Turn on the Lights. The campaign is a commitment from ILGA-Europe to putting race and ethnicity within the LGBTI communities centre stage. We want to learn how LGBTI activists can fight racism and discrimination within our own communities. We want turn on the lights on LGBTI people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. We want to learn how LGBTI activists can fight racism and discrimination within our own communities. In the coming months, we commit to reaching out, engaging, and providing a platform for this necessary learning to take place.
Check out the campaign website here |
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Want to make a change on Human Rights Day? Here’s a place to start…ILGA-Europe’s statement on the International Human Rights Day 2016: Today, on 10 December, the United Nations encourages us all to ‘stand up for someone’s human rights’. This year’s theme might sound straight-forward but there is a challenge to all of us contained there. The UN’s message reminds everyone of their responsibility – and ability – to create change.
Read the whole statement here |
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700 LGBTIQ Activists gathered at the ILGA World ConferenceAt the conference representatives from ILGA-Europe, TGEU, IGLYO and OIIEurope had a chance to meet the new UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Vitit Muntarbhorn, and present the specific challenges for the European Region. The world conference decided to endorse the request by members from the Central Asian Republics to move their membership from ILGA Asia to ILGA-Europe. This move had already been endorsed by both ILGA-Europe and ILGA Asia.
Read more about the ILGA World Conference here |
Asylum |
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Welcome to Stay – Building Trans Communities Inclusive of Trans Asylum Seekers and RefugeesTrans asylum seekers and refugees in Europe face many issues, Transgender Europe’s Trans Asylum Brochure: "Welcome to stay, building trans communities inclusive of trans asylum seekers and refugees in Europe." outlines the most common ones, while offering practical steps for trans organisations wishing to offer support.
Read more here |
Bias motivate speech |
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Lithuanian Chairperson of Health Affairs Committee: Homosexuality is not a state of beingDuring an interview for a debate show “Teisė Žinoti”, broadcasted by Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) on 27 November, 2016 Agnė Širinskienė, MP and the newly elected Chairperson for the Committee on Health Affairs, equated homosexual relations to smoking and drug abuse, when listing examples of lifestyle choices detrimental to one‘s health.
Read more on the website of LGL |
Bias motivated violence |
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Attackers of trans sex worker sentenced in TurkeyIn late November, three attackers who violently attacked Kemal Ördek, a trans and sex workers' rights defender and the founding chair of Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association have been convicted of the following crimes: sexual assault, preventing one's liberty, physical attack, threat, insult and theft.
Read more about the sentences here |
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Warning from NGOs: Poland is dismantling the hate crime policyThe number of reported racist incidents is rising, yet Poland is slowly dismantling its hate crime protection system – alert Polish NGOs in a new report, published on 23 November. The report was submitted by Lambda Warsaw, Association for Legal Intervention and The Diversity Workshop to the UN Human Rights Council.
Read more about the report here |
Equality and non-discrimination |
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European Parliament adopts Report on the Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015On 13 December, the European Parliament adopted the Report on the Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015 when they gathered in plenary in Strasbourg. The report was initially not making any references to the rights of LGBTI people. Important amendments were tabled, in particular addressing human rights violations faced by trans and intersex people.
Read more about the adoption here |
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Malta keeps on improving rights for LGBTI people On 5 December, the Maltese parliament passed a bill which effectively outlaws conversion therapy for LGBT people. Also the parliament amended the already groundbreaking Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act from 2015 to make sure trans people in detention can stay according to their gender identity. Additionally the amendments also lower the age for legal gender recognition from 18 to 16 year old. |
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Poland to withdraw from Istanbul ConventionWorrying news emerged from Poland as the government pushed ahead with its plan to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention – a little over a year after the Convention entered into force in Poland in the first place. This vital Council of Europe convention aims to prevent and combat violence against women. The fact that a European government is willing to turn its face away from gender-based violence sends a disturbing message – telling victims that they are not protected and perpetrators that they can act with impunity.
Read more about this push (only in Polish) |
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European Implementation Network launchedOn 2 December, the European Implementation Network (EIN) was launched in Strasbourg. EIN is a new non-governmental organisation established to serve as a bridge between the Council of Europe and civil society, and to advocate for the full, effective and rapid implementation of judgments.
Read more about the launch here |
Family |
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First same-sex couple married in GibraltarOn 16 December, the first same-sex couple got married in Gibraltar since the parliament voted to change the law in October.
Read more about the ceremony here |
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Equal access to fertility treatment in public health care in Finland after rulingAccording to a ruling by the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal in Finland, assisted reproductive treatment may not be denied in public health care based on the sexual orientation of the client. The ruling shows that existing legal protections provide access to rights.
Read more about the ruling here |
Foreign policy |
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Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the WorldThe European Parliament adopted the latest Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World on December 14. The prominence of the human rights of LGBTI people reflected in the Annual Report serves as a reminder of the EU’s role in safeguarding the human rights of LGBTI people. Especially notable is the report’s recognition of the importance of the EU’s LGBTI Guidelines adopted in 2013, and its call to the European Commission and EEAS to ensure proper and active implementation of the Guidelines.
Read ILGA-Europe’s and COC Netherlands’ statement on the report here |
Freedom of assembly |
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Study visit: Pride events in today’s EuropeThe fundamental right of freedom of assembly has been facing challenges in recent times, even in countries with a long history of Pride marches. With this in mind on December 7-8 ILGA-Europe hosted a study visit on Prides. Pride organisers from France, Italy, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, Kosovo and Ukraine came together to identify common questions and needs, to connect and learn from each other, and to meet with permanent representatives of EU Members states, the European Commission and MEPs to explore how relevant EU institutions, bodies and member states individually can proactively support and uphold Pride events in the future.
Read more about the visit here |
Health |
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Call for participants: Capacity-building seminar on the role of LGBTI organisations to address HIV and STIsAre you an LGBTI activist and want to expand your horizon on how your organisation can address HIV and STIs? On 9-10 February 2017, ILGA-Europe and the European AIDS Treatment Group are jointly organising a capacity-building seminar in Brussels. Deadline for applications: 3 January 2017
Read more about the seminar here |
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World AIDS Day 2016On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2016, ILGA-Europe produced an infograph. The figures on the infographic are alarming. That is why ILGA-Europe are working hard – with our own members to increase their capacity to work on HIV/AIDS issues and also by building alliances with HIV networks across Europe.
For more information about ILGA-Europe’s specific work on HIV/AIDS Check out the infograph here |
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TGEU European healthcare trainingTransgender Europe (TGEU) is offering training for healthcare providers in working Europe prior to the 2017 EPATH Conference in Belgrade, Serbia. TGEU’s training will begin on 5 April at 14:00 and will end on 6 April at 11:00, when the EPATH Conference opens. This training will be based on results from TGEU’s survey of trans users of healthcare and healthcare providers in Georgia, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and Sweden. Deadline for receipt of applications 16 is January, 2017.
More information on the training and how to apply can be found here |
Human rights defenders |
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Remember Jacobus WitbooiThe ILGA family lost one of its stars. So many in the global LGBTI movement were heartbroken by the news that Jacobus Witbooi from Pan Africa ILGA passed away in late November. Jacobus will be remembered as a young vibrant, smart, kind-hearted, deeply committed person. Our team had the great privilege to work with Jacobus, although so briefly, and it was clear that he played an instrumental role in strengthening the African region of ILGA. The ILGA-Europe family sends our heartfelt condolences to our friends at Pan Africa ILGA and ILGA World, and everyone who he touched so profoundly. We join you in remembering and celebrating the life of Jacobus.
Read more about Jacobus, donate to support Jacobus’ family and watch the touching memorial video here |
Legal gender recognition |
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Update from Belgium – legal gender recognition revision continuesOn 12 December, ILGA-Europe, together with Belgian NGOs Çavaria and Genres Pluriels, sat down with representatives of the Belgian ministries currently working on a draft law on legal gender recognition. The law is making its way through the remaining legislative steps. The bill will now be sent to the Council of State for their technical legislative advice and verification of constitutional and legal requirements.
Read more about the upcoming law here |
Notice board |
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Job opportunity with ILGA World as Development OfficerILGA World based in Geneva is seeking a Development Officer. The post holder will be responsible for communication between ILGA World and its institutional funders, particularly foundations and government bureaux and is the main grant writer at ILGA World. Closing date for receipt of applications: Sunday 8 January 2017 (17:00 CET).
Read more about the position here |
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Job opportunity with Sigrid Rausing Trust as Programme Associate – LGBTI RightsThe Sigrid Rausing Trust based in London is seeking an individual to assist with their grantmaking in the field of LGBTI rights. The programme supports organisations working to enhance the legal standing and social acceptance of LGBTI people. Closing date for receipt of applications: Tuesday 3 January 2017.
Read more about the position here |
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Job opportunity with European Women’s Lobby as Membership & Governance CoordinatorThe European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is seeking to recruit a Membership and Governance Coordinator to support EWL and its member organisations to work better together through supporting effective governance and supporting member development and networking.
Read more about the position here |
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New funding opportunity for trans organisationsThe International Trans Fund (ITF) is a new activist and funder-led initiative. The ITF aims to increase the capacity of the trans movement to self-organise and advocate for trans people’s rights, self-determination, and wellbeing.
Read more about the fund here To the top
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This website has been produced with the financial support of the Rights Equality and Citizenship (REC) programme 2014-2020 of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of ILGA-Europe and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.
