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Description
Social acceptance of LGBTI people in Slovakia is very low compared to other EU countries. According to a nationwide LGBT survey (Inakost, 2017), up to 50% of LGBTI people have had an unpleasant experience in relation to their identity. As a result, these individuals are reluctant to be open about it. The main goal of the project is therefore to increase self-acceptance and sense of security of LGBTI people through the presentation of positive role models. The presentation will take place as part of the pre-PRIDE campaign by publishing positive stories and articles on social media. During the PRIDE festival these stories will be distributed as part of the QYS magazines. Another activity of the project is to provide support to LGBTI people in the process of coming out and provide overall assistance in the form of advice and support group. This part of the project will be handled by the partner of the project – Iniciativa Inakost. It is planned to directly work and impact 40 LGBTI people. Last part of the project, a proposal of public policy will be prepared and discussed with representatives of the City of Bratislava with the aim of inclusion of the target group.
Summary of project results
Social acceptance of LGBTI people in Slovakia is very low compared to other EU countries. According to a nationwide LGBT survey (Inakost, 2017), up to 50% of LGBTI people have had an unpleasant experience in relation to their identity. As a result, these individuals are reluctant to be open about it. The main objective of the project "Increasing Acceptance of LGBTI People Through Positive Examples and Policies at the Local Level" was to contribute to the increase of LGBTI people''s feelings of safety and self-acceptance through the presentation of positive role models. The project aimed to provide support to LGBTI people in their coming out process in the form of counselling and a support group. As part of the project, a draft public policy was developed and discussed by representatives of the capital city of Bratislava with the aim of LGBTI inclusion. A draft policy was developed based on consultations with several NGOs working in the field. Another activity consisted of presenting positive role models at the PRIDE march. We published the stories of 5 LGBTI people in the QYS magazine and distributed the issue at PRIDE 2019. The last activity consisted of counselling and personal development support groups for LGBTI people. 200 participants from a vulnerable group benefited from the project activities. 3 participants from the group participated in consultations with a public decision-making authority. There has been great interest in counselling services for LGBTI people and it is proving to be the most important activity that we will strive to sustainably maintain. The project has shown the importance of presenting positive LGBTI role models, not only to change the attitude of the majority towards the LGBTI community but also to increase the level of self-acceptance of the community itself.