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Description
According to a report on the Situation of LGBTA people in Poland (Anti-Homophobia Campaign 2015-2016), the Opolskie voivodship has the second highest rate of homophobic and transphobic-related discrimination in Poland. The percentage of people who experience discrimination increases the further the distance from large cities. We are the only organization in the Opolski region that supports and integrates the LGBT+ community. We realize that we need to expand our work beyond Opole. The objective of this project is to learn the situation of the LGBT+ community in the Opolskie voivodship and activate leaders in smaller towns. We will conduct a study on the situation of LGBT+ people in the Opolskie voivodship, and publish a report including recommendations for local government authorities and public institutions. We will organize, in six towns, events for the LGBT+ community, combined with promotion of the report and of participation in the LGBT+ Young Leaders Academy. We will train young leaders in management, advocacy, community building, and grassroots measures. They will be able to meet LGBT+ activist leaders from Poland and share know-how for similar measures with the Norwegian partner during a study visit. We will provide mentor guidance and psychological support. Each person will organize an event to involve the community in their town. We will jointly prepare a social campaign to empower young LGBT+ people and encourage them to become socially involved. 80 young LGBT+ people from the Opolskie voivodship will participate in the activities. A report will be produced on the situation of LGBT+ people in the Opolski region, and twelve young people will improve their knowledge and skills, create a network, and take joint measures to help LGBT+ people in the region. FRI - Foreningen for kjønns- og seksualitetsmangfold will share its know-how with respect to advocacy measures and fighting hate and institutional violence.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of discrimination against LGBT+ people in Opole. Although there are more and more LGBT+ organizations in Poland and the number of equality marches organized in Poland has increased since 2016 (7 cities until 2017, 30 cities in total since 2017), the situation of LGBT+ people has significantly worsened since the 2015 elections. This is evidenced by the ILGA Europe 2020 report, which ranked Poland last in the EU in terms of treatment of LGBT+ people. Equality marches have been banned in Poland since 2018, and public discourse about LGBT+ people has been brutalized as a result of the recent presidential campaign. The report "The Social Situation of LGBTA People in Poland" (Campaign Against Homophobia 2015-2016) shows that Opole Province has the second highest number of discriminatory incidents motivated by homophobia and transphobia in Poland. The percentage of people experiencing discrimination increases with the distance from large cities.
As part of the project, the project promoter conducted a study on the situation of LGBT+ people in the Opole region and published a report on the study. The report included recommendations for local authorities and public institutions. The first edition of the "Academy for Young LGBT+ Leaders" was held, which included three two-day workshop blocks and two two-day workshops on preparing a social campaign. The Academy program focused on areas of activism such as governance, advocacy, community building and grassroots action. The Academy was attended by 10 young people - LGBT+ leaders - who then formed a network of young activists in the region. These individuals prepared and implemented a campaign entitled "There are more of us! Provoke equality with us." As part of the outdoor campaign, posters with slogans supporting the local LGBT+ community were placed in public spaces. They also participated in a study visit to a partner in Norway, where they took part in the preparations for Drammen Pride and the march itself. The leaders also received psychological and mentoring support and developed an individual leadership development path.
Thanks to the activities carried out, the situation of the LGBT+ community in the Opolskie Voivodeship became known and a group of young leaders from smaller towns was activated. Both the participation in the "Academy" and the implemented campaign empowered young LGBT+ people and encouraged them to become more socially involved. Some of the "Academy" graduates continue to work for the project promoter as permanent volunteers (5 people) and action volunteers (3 people). An important result of the project is a report on the study of the LGBT+ community in Opolskie Voivodeship. The report is aimed primarily at local authorities in the Opolskie Voivodeship, schools and universities, employers, services (e.g. police) and is intended to further advocacy efforts.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with the partner worked out very well, although in the end the partner was the intermediary between us , and other organizations involved in equality/pride marches in Norway (OXLO, Queer Youth, Pride Drammen). We were closest to the organization from Drammen, as it is a city the size of Opole. We were volunteers there during Pride in Drammen, to which we invited our volunteers (some people were first time abroad). We learned a lot of organizational practices. We gave them a lot of tips to make this volunteering work (in Norway it is not customary to sign contracts). Whether Poland or Norway the problem with Pride organization is similar (except for political issues). We are planning further cooperation.