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Description
In 2020 there are still no state policies and measures to reduce inequality, discrimination and violence to LGBTI persons (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) in Bulgaria. Many people keep hiding their sexual orientation including from their family and friends. Тhe main goal of the project is to increase the number of people disapproving of hate speech or aggression against LGBTI persons. We will achieve the goal by raising public awareness and knowledge about LGBTI persons in several ways: public campaigns to shatter the stereotypes and myths about LGBTI persons and "gender" persons in order to get to know them better, decrease fear and increase acceptance; stir a broad discussion about the topic and change of attitudes; training workshops for journalists to raise their knowledge about the topic and their objectivity in covering it; promote active citizenship though training sessions for community spokespeople and their advocates; exchange of experience with partners from Norway to boost the capacity; raise public awareness about the social policy in Norway through involvement of Norwegian experts in media events. The project is targeted at the general public, journalists, LGBTI persons, their parents and advocates. Partnership between 4 organizations is planned: GLAS and Bilitis will help reach as many LGBTI persons as possible who can be empowered and trained in public speaking. In addition, GLAS also has experience in carrying out information campaigns with proven effect and has established contacts with the media and the institutions and Bilitis has a long-standing experience in working with groups. The Association of European Journalists has thorough observations of the stereotypes and issues the project will address and will help attract and train journalists from its national network. Oslo Pride will contribute with its extensive experience in communication and work with the media including dispelling myths about child policies in Norway.
Summary of project results
The project addressed several key issues faced by the LGBTQI community in Bulgaria: the widespread use of hate speech, the lack of government policies and measures to reduce inequality, discrimination, and violence, and the lack of awareness among media representatives about the specific challenges and experiences of LGBTQI people, which often contributes to stereotyping and the perpetuation of incorrect beliefs.
The project activities included a large-scale communication campaign, a nationally representative survey on attitudes towards LGBTQI people, and the organization of seminars and training sessions for participants in public discussions—journalists, LGBTQI spokespersons, and their advocates outside the community. As part of the communication measures to overcome negative stereotypes against vulnerable groups in society who are victims of hate speech, the website www.lgbtimitove.eu was created. The site is gamified and includes the possibility of taking a quiz on the stereotypes and myths surrounding LGBTQI people and will continue to operate after the project. A working visit was also conducted in Oslo with the organizers of Oslo Pride.
The project benefited the following target groups: LGBTQI people in Bulgaria through increased visibility and acceptance, and their empowerment via organized training sessions; journalists, by improving ethical standards in media coverage of LGBTQI people and topics through training; and society and government institutions, by achieving the most significant legislative change for LGBTQI people in the past 13 years, namely the inclusion of homophobia in the Penal Code as a hate crime. The communication campaign reached 500,000 members of the general public. Through two working visits conducted in Oslo and Sofia, common communication issues on the topic were addressed in both countries, and lasting connections were established between participants from Bulgaria and Norway, which will continue beyond the project, including at the political level. The sustainability of the project''s results is reflected in the lasting changes in legislation, improved media practices, strengthened capacities of NGOs and other organizations, and the long-term shift in public attitudes. These outcomes will continue to have a positive impact on the LGBTQI community and society as a whole long after the project concludes
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership between Oslo Pride and the project partners significantly contributed to building cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway. A good practice was the media training for LGBTQI people and advocates, as well as the training for journalists.