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Description
This project addresses the problem of prejudice and discrimination towards LGBTQIA people, and the lack of competent psychological support for them. The rate of identity-related violence in Poland is as high as 68% for LGB people, and 79% for transgender people. Half of LGBTA young people show grave signs of depression, and 70% consider suicide. In recent years, LGBTQIA people have become a target in a political and media hate campaign, and this exacerbates the symptoms of minority stress. The assistance available to LGBTQIA people can be obtained in cities and large towns, usually for a charge, which means that it is not available for instance to young, transgender people living in small towns. People whose work is providing help often are unaware of the specific nature and needs of non-heteronormative and non-cisgender people. Moreover, stereotypes and prejudice are common in this group – as many as 1/5 consider orientation other than heterosexual to be abnormal.Under the project, the Project Promoter will hold ten expert question-and-answer webinars, eight online workshops on coping with discrimination, and three LGBTQIA community support groups. Approximately 26 LGBTQIA people from outside large urban centres will have access to free psychological support. The Project Promoter will also hold online meetings for people who provide psychological help – the meetings will concern emergency intervention for LGBTQIA people and coming out in a clinic.The project will primarily benefit LGBTQIA people (approximately 330 people), helping them to cope with minority stress, depression, and discrimination. The measures are also intended for specialists whose work is providing help. They will improve their competences in working with LGBTQIA people, including emergency intervention.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of prejudice and discrimination against LGBT+ people and the lack of competent psychological support for this social group. As many as 68% of LGB people and 79% of transgender people in Poland face violence related to their identity. Half of young LGBT+ people have severe symptoms of depression, and 70% have suicidal thoughts. LGBT+ people have become the subject of a political and media hate campaign in recent years, which exacerbates their symptoms of minority stress. The help they can use is available in large cities and most often for a fee, so young, transgender people and those living in small towns, among others, are excluded. Aid workers often lack knowledge of the specifics and needs of non-heteronormative and non-sexual people. What''s more, stereotypes and prejudices are also common among them - as many as 1/5 of them believe that orientation other than heterosexual is a disorder.
The project conducted a variety of empowerment activities aimed at LGBT+ people. They were given individual long-term psychological support, which benefited a total of 45 people. LGBT+ people also participated in affirmative voice and communication training. A total of 367 people participated in online support groups (48 meetings in all). The Project Promoter also conducted workshops on dealing with discrimination, educational Q&A sessions and webinars for aid workers. 10 recordings of the Q&A sessions and more than 100 mini-films were produced, from which LGBT+ people, their allies., allies and the general public can learn about sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBT+ people in particular have benefited from the activities - especially the less privileged who cannot afford to take advantage of paid support services. Thanks to the support they received, their psychological well-being increased, but they also developed the competence to deal with minority stress, depressive conditions and discrimination. The webinars also increased the knowledge of aid workers, including in the area of undertaking crisis intervention.
The project created 72 mini-videos of Q&A sessions. The recordings created as part of the project ‘Professional nationwide psychological support for LGBTQIA people’ were promoted organically and for a fee: 10 videos of Q&A sessions with subtitles; 30 mini-videos with single questions from Q&A sessions with subtitles (+72 from the Stronger Voice grant); 3 educational videos created on the basis of workshops on dealing with discrimination.
The promotion of the project products increased the knowledge of the recipients of the promotional activities. Increased knowledge of the recipients of the activities will have an impact on their better understanding of their own sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as on their ability to cope with situations of discrimination or their greater openness to reach out for support in their environment or for professional psychological support.