More information
Description
The project is aimed at LGBT+ people who are in crisis because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In particular we will support people who, as a result of threats or experiences of violence, have been forced to leave their place of residence, and people experiencing discrimination in the workplace. Another group of beneficiaries are the families of LGBT+ people, who are in a state of emotional crisis and are looking for support from specialists. The project is implemented in Lower Silesia and neighbouring provinces. The exclusion of LGBT+ people is a big social problem in Poland. Research conducted in 2015 by the Lambda Warsaw Association and the Campaign Against Homophobia shows that one in three LGBT+ people have experienced hate-motivated violence. Sexual orientation and gender identity other than heterosexual are usually not accepted by family members. More than 70% of LGBT+ youth and young adults think about suicide. The situation has worsened due to the pandemic (and the isolation caused by the pandemic), and also due to the homophobic campaign in 2020 related to the creation of so-called ‘LGBT ideology free zones’. As part of the project, we will run an emergency apartment and provide free psychological support for LGBT+ people. We will create a database of professionals helping LGBT+ people in the region, i.e. recommended psychologists, psychotherapists, sexologists and psychiatrists. We will offer free help to LGBT+ people and their relatives in emotional crisis (stationary and online). In collaboration with the local government of the city of Wroclaw, we will develop changes to the city''s policy on supporting LGBT+ people in difficult life situations and equalising their opportunities. We will conduct an information campaign to raise awareness of the situation of LGBT+ people in the region.
Summary of project results
The project is aimed at LGBT+ people and their loved ones from our region (Lower Silesia and neighboring voivodeships) who are in crisis due to sexual orientation or gender identity, in particular those who are forced to leave their place due to threats or experiencing violence. residence and/or experience discrimination at work.
As part of the project:
1. We ran an emergency apartment for at least 16 people, enabling people to solve sudden personal problems. In addition to a safe shelter, we will offer the opportunity to sort out your legal, social, emotional and life situation, i.e. an aid package: psychological, legal and professional consultations;
2. We provided free psychological assistance to LGBT+ people and their loved ones from the region (also online) in emotional crisis;
3. We have created a database of specialists helping LGBT+ people in the region, i.e. recommended psychologists, therapists, sexologists, psychiatrists, and conduct an information campaign that will increase awareness of the situation of LGBT+ people. We have opened the Tęczowa Strona Pomocy website at www.teczowastronpomocy.pl;
4. In cooperation with the local government, we have developed a change in Wrocław''s policy regarding financing assistance to LGBT+ people in difficult life situations and equalizing opportunities for these people.
As part of the project, 18 people received safe shelter and their basic needs were provided. After completing their participation in the project, these people rented an apartment or room on the open market. The vast majority found a job or continued their education. 3 people in mental crisis found care in a specialist hospital (day ward) or in other forms of therapy. 130 people in the region received psychological support in the form of consultations and/or crisis intervention.
The assistance provided within the project is also a source of knowledge for the team about the needs of LGBT+ people and their loved ones. This, in turn, becomes the starting point for further plans and activities of the association, including: developing forms of support for transgender people in the process of diagnosis and judicial gender recognition).
Only 62 hours of legal consultation were used. The need for legal support is lower than expected, most of the needs related to, among others: looking for a job or resolving the situation regarding financial support, etc., people were able to address in cooperation with the apartment manager, who also acted as an assistant. We have allocated the pool of legal consultations to psychological consultations, which people need more of.
Another permanent product is the Rainbow Help Page, which is a good tool for aggregating information (after verification) about LGBT+-friendly mental health specialists who work in the region. This website is a response to one of the most important needs of the community, i.e. the need to access services and search for reliable specialists who are competent to work with non-heteronormative people, especially outside large urban centers. We will develop this website and work will continue, it is an important tool in our aid work.