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Description
The project addresses the problem of discrimination and violence towards LGBT + people in the Zachodniopomorski voivodeship. Poland is the most homophobic country in the EU. LGBT+ people have been the target of hate on the part of the ruling majority, the church, and extreme right-wing groups, leading to social radicalisation, an increase in prejudice, and homophobia-motivated attacks for a number of years. Meanwhile, LGBT+ people are in an alarming condition – the percentage of young people who consider suicide is as high as 70%, 75% conceal their identity and/or orientation, 47% have experienced discrimination, and 15% - violence motivated by prejudice. Apart from Lambda, unfortunately there are no other LGBT + support organisations in the region. The situation is worst in small towns, as here LGBT+ persons have the least opportunity to find support.The Project Promoter will organise two gay pride marches in each of the cities of Szczecin and Gryfino-Mescherin, and provide support for marches in Koszalin. Lambda will provide specialist help for 260 LGBT+ people and those close to them, including one-on-one consultations, support groups, and art therapy workshops. It will also conduct two cultural projects: a series of visual works and murals with love stories of well-known LGBT+ figures, presented on outdoor media throughout Poland, and drag art workshops culminating in a concert finale. There will also be two social campaigns in trams and buses in four counties. In addition, there will also be awareness-raising meetings on LGBT+ issues in twenty county towns in the region.Primarily, the LGBT+ community in the Zachodniopomorski voivodeship will benefit from the project. Due to the measures, LGBT+ people will be given support in emergencies, and their self-acceptance, feeling of safety, and comfort of living will improve. LGBT+ people will have a more visible profile in the region, and the queer community will be more integrated and stronger.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of discrimination and exclusion of LGBT+ people in Poland. According to reports by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and ILGA Europe, Poland is the worst EU country for LGBT+ people to live in. Since 2015, these people have been the victims of socio-political campaigns of hatred and dehumanisation. Up to 60% of mothers and 70% of fathers reject their LGBT+ children. 75% of LGBT+ people do not disclose their psychosexual orientation and gender identity. As many as 47% have experienced discrimination and 15% have experienced violence because of their orientation/identity. Among the latter, the rate of depression and suicidal thoughts is very high. Homophobic and transphobic campaigns have until recently involved politicians from the ruling right, including the President or Minister of Justice, the ruling majority, the Church and other ultra-right organisations such as Ordo Iuris. Local governments have en masse established homophobic so-called ''LGBT-free zones'', and schools - for fear of repercussions from the authorities - have not carried out any activities in the area of sex education or reproductive health, nor have they offered support to LGBT+ youth.
The ''Giving Queers Strength'' project consisted of multi-faceted work to raise the visibility and awareness of LGBT+ people. Two equality marches were organised in Szczecin, a new German-Polish cross-border march was initiated in Gryfino-Mescherin and cooperation with the march in Koszalin was started. Free psychological and professional support was also offered to LGBT+ people. Parents of LGBT+ children were also supported in the process of accepting their child. The "Love Stories" series was implemented to show the local community the contribution of LGBT+ people to culture, and two editions of a drag art workshop were held.
The project has raised the profile of queer people and increased public awareness of the issues they face. The project has also strongly involved the LGBT+ community of Szczecin and the surrounding area. Psychological support has benefited 200 people - young and adult LGBT+ people, transgender people in transition, families of LGBT+ people. The participants of the Equality Marches - inhabitants and residents of Szczecin, Gryfino, Mescherin (cross-border march), Koszalin - as well as the local community of the districts of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship have been taking part in cultural, social and educational events organised by the Project Promoter in greater numbers every year. The Project Promoter has managed to establish contacts with institutions (both public and private) that are ready for further activities and cooperation.