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Description
The idea of the project is to show to the general population that LGBTI + people have common needs and desires and that the prevailing social construct of "otherness" is unjustified. The main goal of the project is to reduce discrimination against members of the LGBTQI + community by ensuring the institutional conditions and social acceptance of fostering in LGBTQI + families. The main activities of the project are the education of centers'' for social care employees and their directors, an unorthodox public campaign based on the reaction of different people and the establishment of a network of CSOs and experts interested in supporting the adoption of LGBTQI families.
The first impact is an increase in the percentage of the population that accepts fostering in the LGBTQI + families. Another significant impact is establishment of multi-sectoral cooperation between relevant ministry and CSOs dealing with the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBTI + persons. Cooperation between human rights organizations and state bodies can lead to significant changes in the conduct that determine the content and quality of everyday life, and enable the state administration to start implementing and promoting non-discriminatory policies towards everyone.
The partnership in the project is carefully crafted. OMG, the project applicant has experience in leading multi-year projects and public campaigns dealing with human rights. Rainbow families are specialized in the human rights of LGBTQI families and have already been involved in fostering problem. They have a network of volunteers and experts who are ready to get involved. Dikkedokken Filmlaug is an association with experience in documentary film production and widespread connections to be able to organize a relevant study trip to Norway and bring experts to Croatia who can share their experiences.
Summary of project results
Although Croatia has a relatively solid legal framework for LGBTQI+ rights, significant gaps remain, particularly in the area of foster care. The Life Partnership Act provides substantial rights for same-sex couples, and the Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, societal and institutional homophobia is reflected in the 2019 Foster Care Act, which initially excluded LGBTQI+ families from fostering. Despite the Constitutional Court ruling later that year, affirming the right of LGBTQI+ families to foster, the practice remains virtually nonexistent. Social welfare centers (CzSS), which hold the power to approve foster placements, often hesitate to place children with LGBTQI+ families, despite their eligibility, due to internal biases, fear of higher authorities, and concerns about public backlash.
This lack of action is emblematic of the everyday discrimination faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Croatia. For example, a 2019 study by Zagreb Pride revealed that six in ten LGBTQI+ individuals had experienced violence in public spaces, schools, workplaces, and homes. Moreover, an EU-wide survey from the same year found Croatia to have the highest workplace diversity but also the least acceptance of LGBTQI+ colleagues. While 15% of employers had worked with LGBTQI+ individuals, only 18% expressed willingness to hire them. A GONG survey in 2010 showed similar ambivalence among high school teachers, with 94.9% supporting equal treatment for LGBTQI+ individuals but nearly half opposing foster care in LGBTQI+ families.
The issue of LGBTQI+ families fostering children is a highly sensitive topic in Croatian society, often seen as a litmus test for broader acceptance of LGBTQI+ rights. Public discourse on this subject flared briefly in 2020 when members of the Dugine Obitelji (Rainbow Families), a project partner, publicly criticized their inability to foster. The discussion ended with a disturbing incident in Imotski, where an effigy of a gay couple with a child was burned during a traditional festival. After a few weeks, the public conversation faded, and the issue was not revisited.
The project "All Families Are Equal" aims to change this by addressing the topic of LGBTQI+ foster care systematically on multiple levels: institutional, public, and personal. By challenging the deep-rooted societal construct of "otherness" and demonstrating that LGBTQI+ people share the same desires and needs as others, the project seeks to shift public perception. It hopes that by securing the right for LGBTQI+ families to foster, broader acceptance of LGBTQI+ rights will follow, leading to a reduction in discrimination across various facets of life.
The project made significant strides in promoting the rights of LGBTQI families in Croatia, particularly in the areas of adoption and foster care. Over 60 social welfare professionals were educated about the unique circumstances of LGBTQI families and their ability to provide loving homes for children, especially those who are more difficult to place. This helped challenge existing biases and raise awareness about anti-discrimination laws.
A key outcome was the establishment of a support network made up of legal experts, psychologists, and human rights activists, which offers ongoing assistance to professionals working on adoption and foster care cases. Additionally, a public campaign was launched in collaboration with a Norwegian partner to share stories of LGBTQI families, shedding light on their lives and their potential to foster and adopt children.
Despite facing significant opposition from religiously conservative groups advocating traditional family structures, the project achieved moderate success. In 2023, at least six children were placed in LGBTQI foster families—a notable victory given that the first such placement occurred only in 2022 after a long legal battle. This success reflects both increased awareness of LGBTQI family suitability and a general shortage of foster families, particularly in urban areas.
However, the project also highlighted the challenges in working with government authorities, as the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy refused to share official data, despite claims of tracking LGBTQI family placements.
Public reaction to the campaign was divided. While there were isolated acts of vandalism and hate speech, many people showed either support or indifference. On social media, reactions were split evenly between positive and negative comments, surpassing expectations given the intense public debates about LGBTQI family rights and adoption.
In summary, the project successfully raised awareness, increased the number of children placed in LGBTQI families, and contributed to a more inclusive public discourse, despite the ongoing challenges posed by conservative opposition.
The project achieved several key results, particularly in fostering collaboration between the public and civil sectors to support LGBTQI families in adoption and foster care. A strong partnership with the Centers for Social Welfare (CzSS) was established, highlighting the willingness of some parts of the public system to engage with civil society organizations (CSOs) for educational purposes. This success, however, was mostly seen at the local level, as attempts to collaborate with higher government bodies, such as the ministry, were met with more resistance.
One of the project''s major outcomes was the development of an educational model that can be expanded to other sectors, such as healthcare and housing, and applied to other marginalized communities. This model, recognized as mandatory professional training for public sector employees, effectively engaged participants.
A significant shift in the attitudes of social welfare employees toward fostering in LGBTQI families was observed. The increase in foster placements with LGBTQI families indicates a change in the workplace climate following the project''s implementation. Though adoption is not yet widespread, the rise in fostering signals an openness to future LGBTQI adoptions.
The project also raised public awareness about the discrimination faced by LGBTQI families. While public reactions were mixed, with about 50% of online comments being supportive, the project successfully opened discussions around LGBTQI families and their right to foster and adopt children. This led to a reduction in public prejudice, as evidenced by the lack of strong opposition to these foster placements.
Moreover, social workers gained a deeper understanding of the broader challenges faced by LGBTQI families, improving their ability to support these families in both professional and personal contexts. Increased knowledge among CzSS staff about fostering in LGBTQI families also led to more well-supported recommendations for such placements, supported by a growing informal network of experts.
Overall, the project exceeded expectations, increasing the number of children placed in LGBTQI foster families, promoting a more inclusive social environment, and helping to break taboos about LGBTQI families as unsuitable for raising children. The foundation laid by the project provides a solid basis for continued advocacy and progress in securing equal rights for LGBTQI families in Croatia.
Summary of bilateral results
The project, in collaboration with its Norwegian partner, launched a public awareness campaign focused on LGBTQI+ families with children, their needs, daily lives, and their ability to provide nurturing homes for children. The Norwegian partner played a key role in producing a documentary film that highlighted these families'' experiences. Additionally, a study trip was organized for Croatian civil society organizations (CSOs) to learn from Norway’s well-established model, where the practice of fostering children in LGBTQI+ families is fully accepted and normalized.This exchange of knowledge and experiences greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the participating organizations in Croatia. The project also brought Norwegian experts to Croatia for a conference on fostering within LGBTQI+ families. Through studying Norway''s inclusive approach, the Croatian organizations gained valuable insights into how LGBTQI+ families can thrive as foster parents, which helped challenge societal prejudices. This cross-border collaboration provided a strong foundation for advancing the rights of LGBTQI+ families in Croatia and improving their ability to foster and eventually adopt children.