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Description
The project My Rainbow Family wants to publish new picture books from the series "My Rainbow Family", and the accompanying activities related to the picture book, educations and public campaigns which change society''s awareness of LGBTIQ+ parents, their children and the topic of same-sex parenting. The project aims to strengthen the social integration of children with same-sex parents and to promote tolerance and respect for diversity. The picture book was created out of the need to increase the visibility of LGBTIQ+ parenthood in the public space intended for primary school children, their parents, but also the general public, and to discuss this topic in society in an inclusive and non-conflicting way. Activities related to the publication and distribution of the first two picture books from the MDO series, which will be multiplied through this project, indicated their many ways and possibilities in promoting the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, strengthening their human rights, changing the public opinion, enabling equality of treatment and preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The picture book and accompanying activities are tools that present the everyday life of LGBTIQ+ persons to the general population in a simple and clear way, and through the prism of parenting and parent-child relationships bring the topic of diversity of sexual orientations or gender identity to the target groups. Through trainings, public campaigns (crowdfunding) and other project activities, the network of supporters will expand and influence the public opinion and acceptance of the LGBTIQ+ community, strengthen and expands the capacity of the Association, and transfer the knowledge of the Norwegian partner with 70 years of experience.
The project is specially important for children growing up in rainbow families (social acceptance, a positive view of their families, and strengthens them through didactic materials that are results of this project.
Summary of project results
Rainbow families (RF), consisting of LGBTIQ+ people, parents, those who want to become one and their families, make up a large part of society, and it is of key importance for social integration and destigmatization that LGBTIQ people face in all spheres of society. LGBTIQ topics are omitted from the educational program of all levels of public education: kindergarten, elementary and high school. Educational and didactic material that would enable LGBTIQ people to be visible and included in educational content in the Croatian language is almost non-existent. This fact makes it difficult for parents, educational workers and other experts in the field of providing support and education to adequately present the LGBTIQ topic with children. Parents, preschool and school staff often have an interest in the LGBTIQ topic, but they do not have enough information, materials, knowledge and skills, and therefore do not feel competent to deal with this topic. Supporters of Rainbow''s families want to contribute to the realization of social inclusion and equality, but they do not know how and in what way to get involved. RF often feel underrepresented in public life themselves. Children with LGBTIQ parents do not have available materials with which they can identify their family and receive an affirmative message about themselves and their family. Stigmatization and discrimination faced by RFs creates minority stress that needs to be dealt with, either by using the legal framework to protect themselves or by developing tools and skills to successfully deal with this social position and preserve mental health. Empowered and self-aware individuals of the LGBTIQ community are more ready to take a proactive and engaged role in society. Psychological and legal support, exchange of experience with other actors in civil society, in Croatia and abroad, as well as learning about LGBTIQ topics, is the need of the RF community and LGBTIQ people. Traditional society and right-wing clerical movements are actively working to exclude LGBTIQ topics from all sphere of public life, and the action of these currents creates a hostile environment for RF. A large number of people, on the other hand, resist such social trends and are looking for a way to express their support. We need a space and a method that will enable the active involvement of citizens and invite and involve them in the activities of a more inclusive and fair society.
The key results of the "My Rainbow Family" project include the successful implementation of the third consecutive crowdfunding campaign on the Ulule platform, which confirmed the continued support and interest of the community. The campaign financed activities aimed at the wider LGBTIQ community, not only at parents, which expanded the target groups of the project. Among the prominent programs developed within the project are Rainbow’s Leqtira and Queer Speed Friending, which contributed to strengthening the community and increasing the visibility of rainbow families. These activities confirm the growing impact of the project on beneficiaries, promoting inclusivity and support within and beyond the LGBTIQ community.
The picture books from the "My Rainbow Family" series play a key role in promoting the acceptance and understanding of LGBTIQ people among the wider heterosexual population. They serve as a powerful tool for education and awareness, offering insights into the diversity of family structures in a way that is accessible and understandable to people of all ages. Through stories that reflect the reality of rainbow families, picture books help break down prejudices and stereotypes, promoting the values of tolerance, equality and love. This literature not only supports the LGBTIQ community in achieving visibility and recognition, but also educates the wider community about the importance of inclusiveness and respect for all forms of family.
The project "My Rainbow Family" had a significant impact on the target group and society as a whole. Thanks to the project, a new picture book was published that strengthens the visibility and understanding of rainbow families, which led to the empowerment of the LGBTIQ+ community in Croatia. The project helped to position Rainbow''s families as a leading organization in the field of children''s publishing and an active participant in the GOOD initiative for civic education and an organization that advocates health/sex education in schools. The new partnerships established, especially with the Norwegian organization, proved to be very fruitful. Through the project, the capacities of civil society were strengthened in the area of availability of materials for children and materials that talk about LGBTIQ topics, tolerance and understanding of diversity was promoted, and through new cooperation and partnerships, the capacities for further action in the field of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons were improved.
Summary of bilateral results
FRI -Foreningen for kjøns-og seksualitetsmangfold is the oldest LGBTIQ organization in Norway. The organization participated in the preparation and implementation of the study program. As the host of the study visit, FRI planned the activities during the visit. They also participated in the translation of the picture book into Norwegian, and through their department "Rosa Kompetanse", which works with the target groups of the project (kindergartens and schools, parents), they participated in the distribution of picture books.