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Description
This project concerns the problem of increasing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and insufficient support provided for young LGBT+ people in Sądecczyzna. This problem is an element of the political and media smear campaign directed towards LGBT+ people in recent years. All over Poland – including in Sądecczyzna in Małopolska as well - local council LGBT-free zones have been created. This has been accompanied by radicalization of social attitudes and increasing homophobia and transphobia; Poland is now ranked among the most homophobic countries in Europe. Meanwhile, almost 70% of LGBT+ people have experienced violence and had suicidal thoughts. In Małopolska, the situation is even more alarming – as many as 84% of LGBT+ people have experienced discrimination here based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Also, there are no places in Sądecczyzna where young LGBT+ people can seek support anonymously and for free. In this project, young LGBT+ people (approximately 156 people) who are abused and discriminated against in Sądecczyzna will be given psychological support and legal aid. To reach those in need, the Project Promoter will conduct an awareness campaign online and in schools and hold a conference for schools on fighting homophobia and supporting LGBT+ pupils. The Project Promoter will also hold a study visit to an organization supporting non-heteronormative people to learn more about the special nature of its work. The project is aimed mainly at young LGBT+ people residing in Sądecczyzna. The psychological and legal aid will assist in coping with traumatic experiences and improve young people’s self-acceptance and self-esteem. Indirectly, the measures will also include schools, including head teachers and the teaching community, who will be entitled to attend discussions on the often ignored problem of homophobia in schools, and how the school can support LGBT+ pupils.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of increasing violence and discrimination based on psychosexual orientation and gender identity and the lack of support for LGBT+ youth in Sądecczyzna region. The problem is part of the political and media campaign against LGBT+ people in Poland. Three years ago, throughout Poland - including in the Sądecczyzna region - local governments en masse established so-called "LGBT-free zones." These measures were accompanied by radicalization of social attitudes, growing homophobia and transphobia - Poland quickly topped the ranking of the most homophobic countries in Europe (ILGA Europe). Meanwhile, nearly 70% of LGBT+ people say they have experienced violence and had suicidal thoughts. In Malopolska, the situation is even more alarming - as many as 84% of LGBT+ people here have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. There is no place in the Sądecczyzna region where LGBT+ youth can seek support anonymously and free of charge.
As part of the project, LGBT+ youth (213 people) experiencing violence and discrimination from the Sądecczyzna region received support - primarily psychological, but also legal. The Project Promoter conducted an information campaign on the Internet and in schools about the support offered, and organized a conference for schools on counteracting homophobia and supporting LGBT+ students. The grantee also made a study visit to a Krakow-based LGBT+ support organization to get a closer look at the specifics of such an organization''s work.
The project was aimed primarily at LGBT+ youth living in the Sądecczyzna region. Psychological and legal support helped young people cope with traumatic experiences and raised their self-esteem. Indirectly, the activities also involved schools, male and female students, as well as principals and teaching staff. These individuals participated in discussions about the phenomenon of homophobia in schools - often ignored - and how schools can support LGBT+ students.