brochure eng 4 - Agedo Palermo

UNITED
TOWARDS
THE CHANGE
VOLUNTEERS AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA
PAG
2
PAG
8
INDEX
- U
.T.C
.
- CO
OR
D
PAG
11 -
INA
TO
RS
WH
E
AN
D
RE
PAG
1
PAG
1
PAG
2
PAG
3
2-
4-
?
WH
O
THE
&H
OW
SEM
INA
6-
0-
EFF
EC
R
TS
YO
UTH
IN A
CTI
ON
2
PAR
TIC
IPA
N
TS
WH
TC?
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o
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3
U.T.C.
GOALS:
STARTUP - 75 days
WEB SEMINAR - 70 days.
to compare the experiences of organizations
active in the fight against violence and
discrimination in order to analyze the
weaknesses of the various territories and the
differences in accessibility to rights, goods and
services.; to identify networks of contacts, to
develop effective practices, to support, train
and inform the young users and to rebuild the
spirit of community of LGBT youth;
Creation of an online forum, organization of
the seminar, promotion of the project.
SEMINAR - 5 days
Exchange of views via the web, discussing the
basics for a future project to be implemented
under the program "Youth in Action" with the
aim of extending the network of partners.
Topics:
FOLLOW UP
•Homophobic bullying prevention and
educational interventions.
Thanks to the cooperative work done during
the project it was possible to make this
brochure and a short video to share the UTC
experience. A web spot was produced to
encourage young LGBT people and their
families and inform them about support
services available.
The focus of activities is on the concept of
wellness, developed according to the themes:
1 - How to support LGBT youth and their
families.
2 - Which contact and communication
strategies are good to increase the visibility
and spread the mission.
3 - What methods can be used by voluntary
associations to educate and train in the
respect for differences of gender identity and
sexual orientation.
4 - How to intervene in public policies for
social recognition.
2
•The importance of youth workshops. The
promotional material as a communication
bridge with young people.
•The self-help groups and support strategies.
•The main socio-legal actions in Europe
regarding LGBT issues.
•The European funding channels for youth.
•Sharing the final report.
3
I N VO LV E D C O U N T R I E S A N D
ASSOCIATIONS
Associations from 6 different countries form
the UTC partnership. The countries involved
are Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Turkey, United Kingdom.
The participant groups come from countries
that have implemented optimally European
directives on non-discrimination and equal
opportunities for LGBT people and from
countries that accept slowly or reluctantly
those directives; some associations work on
issues concerning the LGBT community and
others are dealing with youth policy.
This heterogenity has created a positive
group; the syner gy among the 24
participants of different cultures, creeds,
generations, has proven the importance of
diversity.
4
AGEDO PALERMO
Agedo Palermo is a voluntary organization
whose aims are the prevention and fight
against violence and discrimination based on
gender identity and sexual orientation.
Agedo-Palermo helps families to find
harmony in relationships through a
mediation work.
The sectors in which Agedo-Palermo works
are: suicide prevention, suppor t and
counseling, culture, research and training.
Pa l e r m o A g e d o - o r g a n i ze d c r e a t i ve
workshops, training sessions with students
and teachers of secondary schools and
university faculties, visibility information
campaigns targeted at youth.
FFLAG
FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation
and registered charity. dedicated to
supporting parents and their lesbian, gay and
bisexual daughters and sons.
FFLAG offer support to local parents groups
and contacts, in their efforts to help parents
and families understand, accept and support
their lesbian, gay and bisexual members with
love and pride.
We provide a central point for exchange of
information between parents groups and
local parent contacts.
FFLAG supports the full human and civil
rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual and
transgender individuals. FFLAG speaks out
and acts to defend and enhance those
human and civil rights
LAMBDA WARSZAWA
Lambda War szawa association was
established in 1997, it’s mission is to build a
positive image of homosexual, bisexual and
transgender people by creating a climate of
social acceptance. Lambda Warsawa’s members are mostly
volunteers and professionals who spend
their time working on our projects.
Lambda Warszawa statutory aims are:
building a positive identity among
homosexual, bisexuals and transgender
people.
promoting social tolerance for LGBTQ
people.
combating HIV/AIDS and other Sexually
Transmitted Diseases.
fighting discrimination, especially with regards
to sexual orientation.
5
LISTAG (Families of LBGT in İstanbul)
Since January 2008, LISTAG have been
working as a support group for family
member s of LGBT individuals, on a
completely voluntary basis, in Turkey. We
organize: Meeting, every Saturday afternoon,
where we meet new additions to our group
and plan our forthcoming activities.; Monthly
dinner parties where LGBT persons may
attend with members of their families whom
they are out to; Informative debates on the
first Thursday of every month, organised by
volunteer psychiatrists at the offices of the
Society for Sexual Education Treatment and
Research, for members of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender persons, on subjects
like biological gender, sexual identity, sexual
orientation, sexual roles and behaviour, and
gender; Special meetings with family members
who need to meet our parents in private.;
Discussion panels in cooperation with other
NGO’s or univeristies in Turkey; A blog that
advertises our activities, and where interviews
with the medias featuring members of our
group are collected alongside essays written
by LISTAG members: Booklets for family
members of LGBT people
www.listag.wordpress.com
6
YPCSD
" Yo u n g Pa r t n e r s f o r C i v i l S o c i e t y
Development" was established in 26 of april
2004 and is one of the biggest youth
organizations from Romania. YPCSD has
more than 2500 members with age
between 15 and 25.
The work of YPCSD is based on the
principles of non-formal education, learningby-experience and intercultural learning. It
tends to contribute to the development of
civil society in Romania, with a special accent
to young people’s place in the social events
and processes. We expect that the activities
of YPCSD will result in development of
creative young people involved in the
process of decision – making in their local
communities.
YSPDB
T h e Yo u t h S o c i e t y fo r Pe a c e a n d
Development of the Balkans members are
students, professionals, young people and
citizens, who work for:
strengthening the stability on the Balkans
and South East Europe; Encouraging and
promoting of the creative process in arts
and sciences; Encouraging and promoting
the Bulgaria Cultural Heritage; Creation of
new practices of sustainable development;
Establishing of new models in the area of
secondar y, higher and civil education;
Improving the intercultural dialogue and
overcoming of ethnic differences; Respecting
the human rights; Improving the dialogue
between NGOs and local and national
authorities.
Youth office
The mission of Montijo’s Youth Office is to
promote, execute and develop all the policies
related with youth by promoting their
par ticipation in projects with European
dimension, though the promotion of the
creation of formal youth groups and also by
increasing volunteering actions and programs.
To pursue this end the Office promotes and
develops educational actions regarding the
development of cultural and social activities
mainly oriented to youth stimulating their
active par ticipation in this area of
development. The main focus goes to the
Municipal Plan for Citizenship and National
Contest of Poetry and Narrative Fiction.
The Youth Office also promotes Youth
European mobility throughout the promotion
of exchanges, seminars and international
training courses, all under the Communitarian
Program “Youth in Action”.
The Youth Office also promotes professional
training courses under another existing
Communitarian Program, “Leoanrdo Da
Vinci”.
7
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8
AGEDO PALERMO
Francesca Marceca
Miryam Messina
FFLAG
Susan Allen
Sorrel Atkinson
LAMBDA WARSZAWA
Mateusz Urban
Łukasz Lesiuk
Agnieszka Gorska
Dorota Bregin
PAR
T
IC IP
ANT
S
9
.
YPCSD
Teodora Larisa Gaenta
Lixandru Oana Rodica
Daniela Bratu
Bogdan Eugen Radulescu
YSPDB
Emiliya Troshanova
Irina Zapyanova
LISTAG
Omer Ceylan
Pinar Ozer
Günseli Dum
Boysan Yakar
Hasan Metehan Özkan
Sema Yakar
10
YOUTH OFFICE
Deolinda Correiu
Maria Alice Lihéu
PALERMO
E
H
W
?
E
R
The project took place in an ancient
monastery located in the historical center of
Palermo, at the Casa di Accoglienza Religiosa
Il Carmine - Via Giovanni Grasso 13 A.
All around the monastery lies the Ballarò
market, with its sounds, colors and scents.
Palermo has always been a laboratory for
possible partnerships; crossroads of cultures,
peoples and religions.
There was a time when Jews, Muslims and
Christians lived peacefully together, a time
when different architectures have been
merged into a unique style called the ArabNorman. This city that welcomed different
people and ethnic groups has been a
symbolic place to start immagining a Europe
that is inclusive of the differences of gender
identity and sexual orientation.
AYS
W
L
AS A ORY
H
MO BORAT
R
E
L
“PA A LA BLE
N
I
BEE POSS IPS;
H
F
FOR TNERS DS O ES
PAR SSROA, PEOPL
CRO TURES IONS.”
CUL RELIG
D
AN
11
Countries involved
who&how?












16
17
18
19
20
8%
21%
17%
21
The project formed a heterogenic group;
At the seminar were present participants of
different ages, gender, sexual orientation, from
7 different countries and from associations
with different aims (from specific LGBT
suppor t groups to youth and culture
development groups), the volunteers who
participated carry out various professions:
psychologists, volunteers, students, teachers,
lawyers, graphic designers, photographers.
But all are bound by the idea of a Europe that
is democratic and strong of respect for human
rights.
T h e d i ve r s i t y o f i n t e r e s t s , c u l t u r a l
backgrounds, skills and experience was the
deepest resource of the seminar as it offered
a wide spectrum of analysis.
Agedo Palermo Italy
FFLAG England
Gdac Portugal
Lambda Warszawa Poland
Listag Turkey
YPCSD Romania
YSPDB Bulgaria
8%
17%
8%
21%
Females - Males
Agedo-Palermo
42%
58%
3
FFLAG
1
1
Youth office
1
1
LAMBDA WARSZAWA
2
LISTAG
3
1
3
YPCSD
2
YSPDB 0
2
0
12
2
1
2
2
3
4
5
13
R
A
N
I
M
E
S
THE
14
ULTURES
C
T
N
E
R
"... DIFFE
S ARE
E
G
A
U
G
AND LAN RRIER BUT
A
NOT A B STIMULUS;
A
RATHER D OF THE
N
AT THE E E FELT AS IF
W
SEMINAR EACH OTHER
WE KNEW G TIME."
N
FOR A LO
DIARY OF THE SEMINAR
FIRST DAY
The seminar begins on April 16th 2011.
After a long time spent chatting via web, it is a
strong emotion to meet live. As participants
arrive, the first thing that catches attention is
the diversity of the group: different ages,
women and men, different backgrounds and
languages.
To accommodate everybody in the rooms is
not easy, because everyone is looking for the
closeness of their acquaintances, of those who
speak the same language, of who has a similar
age. Finally, we are in the comfortable and
spacious conference room. The video
projector, the flip chart and the rest of the
equipment are ready and in place.
The conductors of the meeting Dr. Claudio
Cappotto and Dr. Cirus Rinaldi, invite us to
give a circular array to the chairs. Almost
everyone speaks English, so English is the
language of communication. Only few parents
from Turkey, from Italy and a polish girl do not
speak English and use the communication
facilitators. Each participant tells about their
association and the individual role within the
association. FFLAG, AGEDO-PALERMO and
LISTAG are associations of parents of
homosexual and transsexual per sons;
L A M B D A WA R S Z AWA i s a L G B T
association; YSPDB, YPCSD, YOUTH OFFICE
are associations working in the field of youth.
The coordinators present the main points to
be discussed at the meetings as it had been
decided during the preparation phase of the
project; the timetables are distributed
together with some materials.
As the work finishes, the linguistic barriers are
overcome by the warmth that spreads within
the group.
SECOND DAY
During the morning of the second day the
group discusses on the issue of transphobic
and homophobic bullying prevention and on
educational interventions.
The association of Italy, England and Portugal
present their activities in the field: the youth
workshops, the training courses for teachers,
cooperation with institutions in the field of
public education, thus sharing a set of best
practices that can be an incentive for all.
Agedo-Palermo presents the work carried
out within the art workshops for students of
secondary schools.
15
In the exchange of experiences it turned out
that to educate young people toward the
respect of the differences, it is important to
use different methods, using diverse creative
languages that directly involve the young
audience as protagonist of
the change. The
perspective is that of peer
education.
still very strong, that there is a lot of work that
must be done in the education field and that
there are strong resistance and ostracism to
overcome.
Representatives of associations of Romania,
Bulgaria, Poland and Turkey say that in their
countries prejudices about LGBT people are
16
The afternoon seminar is dedicated to the
promotional material as a bridge of
communication with young
people.
Each association has its
own promotional material
aimed at youth.
FFLAG members show us
an educational car toon
that through a synthetic
language , effectively
presents the various forms
of love and provides
correct information about
homosexuality and
transsexuality.
AGEDO-Palermo
distributes a comic book
made by students of
secondary schools during
the AGEDO-Palermo art
workshop. The comic book
outs the real doubts, fears
and hopes of a group of
young people that were
involved or saw bullying
within their schools.
reads to the group current statistics and
results of researches on the topic.
The exper t in visual
communication Alessandro
Previti opens a discussion
on the importance for a
voluntary association of
having an effective and
planned graphic and the
decisive role of advertising
to spread the mission. Each
association brings its own
contribution, showing the
work developed during
the year and discussing
about the most effective
visual strategies.
Ever yone agrees that homophobic and
transphobic bullying cause psychological
distress which results in school dropout,
depression and in extreme cases in suicide.
The conductor of the meeting, Mr. Cappotto
The expert helps us to
understand how important
it is to have a coherent
graphic image for the association, as
it
strengthens the professional appeal. We start
comparing social awareness campaigns of the
world. We understand clearly how an
approximative graphic work is not just
uneffective but counterproductive as it
c o m mu n i c a t e s a m b i g u o u s ly, a n d we
understand how important is to use clear and
intuitive images to reach the target.
Today we are guesting a visitor Mr Davide
Faraone, member of the Sicilian Regional
Assembly and Ferdinando Siringo, president of
the Centre for Voluntary Services in Palermo.
They join the activities, ask questions and
appreciate the work done by the associations
in favor of integration, social cohesion and the
exchange of experiences between different
European countries.
THIRD DAY
The seminar in the morning is about the
psychological support for LGBT people and
their families, conflict prevention and
resolution.
AGEDO - FFLAG - LISTAG - LAMBDA
WARSZAWA are associations that have
enabled support windows for LGBT people
and their families.
Dr. Claudio Cappotto leads a discussion about
the issues related to the discovery of
homosexuality or transsexuality of offspring
by the parents, examining the psychological
and relational dimension; the discussion
followed this schedule:
•
Coming out: how to respond to the crisis
and which behaviors to adopt; examples
from true stories.
•
Coming out as an ignition for the family
evolutionary processes.
•
Prejudices around which families build
their own concerns.
•
The resources activated by the families.
•
Possible policies, suggestions for families.
•
Prospects for action: possible community
empowerments, social actions and political
interventions.
These points may seem cold, but interacting
with the real experiences of the parents and
LGBT youth that are present at the seminar,
they become emotional and engaging, the
discussion mixes technical information and
personal narrations. Mothers and fathers of
the association LISTAG (Turkey) tell how
courageous has been to declare publicly to be
parents of LGBT people, and that they have
done that aware of having to fight for the
right of their children to have visibility and a
decent life. They are the first group of Turkish
parents to come out to defend their own and
others' children. I know this feeling since I and
few other parents were the first to found a
17
support group in southern Italy; we tell to the
group how hard it was to overcome
stereotypes and prejudices and to give a
name to what was considered as a secret to
hide, how difficult it was to deal with the Don
Quixote feeling, the
disapproval and
indifference of the society.
The FFLAG group (Great
Britain) discusses that the
coming out is not a single
moment but a continuous
process, not only for the
children but also for the
parents. A certain envy is
expressed toward Great
Britain and Portugal who
have advanced legislation
that recognizes the rights
of homosexual couples,
while in other European
countries is difficult even
to achieve a law against
homophobia
or
transphobia.
All parents consider that
the life conditions of LGBT
people should be the
same all over United
Europe. Tears start running, hugs, some say
that we must create a European network of
parents, because outside the European Union
there are parents who mourn their children
18
killed or imprisoned (in 80 countries,
homosexuality is punished by imprisonment in
8 countries and applies the death penalty).
It's lunch time, everyone is at the table, but
we are not hungry. Luckily during the
afternoon there is a cultural tour to Palermo.
We would not have been able to work more.
We are all out together. We make a tour of
the historical center of Palermo and we visit
some landmarks. Everyone is charmed by the
Arab Norman architecture of the cathedral of
Palermo, and again, admiring Piazza Quattro
Canti and the baroque
church of Casa Professa,
and the beautiful fountain
in Piazza Pretoria, called in
ancient times as Piazza
della Vergogna (square of
the Shame) because of the
profusion of nude statues.
The historical center of
Palermo is populated by
countless workshops, from
puppets makers to the
restorers of wax votive
statues. Between all those
workshops there is the a
leather workshop run by a
transgender person and
his companion (one of the
founders of Arcigay in
Palermo), together by
more than 34 years, that
thanks to their courage
and their serenity they
managed to live fully
included in the social
neighborhood. The visit has great significance
as it gives an idea of the inclusive potential of
Palermo. Then we walk to Piazza Marina, enjoy
together arancine, sorbets and ice creams.
Everybody are thrilled by the food in Palermo!
Jokes, laughter, good humor prove the
integrity and cohesion achieved by the group
in a short time. We feel like friends, united by
common ideals and experiences.
FOURTH DAY
The morning begins with a seminar on the
main socio-legal action in Europe on LGBT
issues.
In the afternoon, we guest the national
president of the group Arcigay-Deaf-LGBT
Monica Catalano and her partner Katya
Trinari. Among the many languages present,
this afternoon there is another: sign language.
The girls read lips and speak Italian. Thanks to
the work of translators the meeting begins.
They explain that deaf LGBT people are
victims of multiple discrimination. They remain
cut off from the main channels of
information. Just a minority of the deaf
population has a good understanding of
spoken or written language of the country in
which they live. Simple and effective texts are
needed, while the information are always
complex and difficult to find and sign language
is not widespread. Monica says that in order
to offer opportunities for deaf LGBT people
to get out of isolation, is needed to develop
new ways to communicate: creating sites with
support for sign language, with lots of pictures
and videos.
The basics of Sign Language should be taught
at school.
The LAMBDA WARSZAWA group in the
past had tried to open a window for deaf
LGBT, but the project could not reach the
potential user s. Dur ing the meeting,
representatives of LAMBDA WARSZAWA
share their experiences. Monica explains that
the difficulties encountered by the group
most probably were due to the used forms of
communication that could not reach a
minority of population that is excluded from
the society. Dorota Bregin, the president of
LAMBDA WARSZAWA, rich of this new
knowledge, expresses her will to reopen the
support group.
The meeting concludes with a long applause
in sign language.
After dinner, we guest the the representative
of the group Ali d 'Aquila , Mr Marco Siino. Ali
d’Aquila is a group of christians homosexual
which is active in Palermo. The meeting is very
interesting; we discuss on the relationship
between homosexuality and faith, both in
relation to the Christian religion and to Islam.
The discussion develops analyzing the weight
of religious dictates in the life of individuals
and in the development of laws protecting
LGBT people.
19
Finally, we all agree that is positive, although
sometimes difficult, to keep open channels of
communication with representatives of
different faiths and that it is desirable a world
where faith is not in a
conflict with the rights of
LGBT people and where
a person is not victim of a
conflict between identity
and faith.
communicate through gestures, sounds,
strange faces and improvised doodles on
napkins. The group is more integrated every
day, cultures and languages are not a barrier
FIFTH DAY
In the morning we have a
seminar on European
funding streams dedicated
to youth.
The team shares the first
proposals for a new
project
to
be
implemented under the
youth program with a
view to extending the
network of partners.
Meal times are always
great fun. Every day in the
dining room we exchange
places, we take advantage of every moment
to get to know each other better. The food is
tasty. The informal asset makes it impossible to
rely on the communication facilitators, so we
20
but rather a stimulus, at the end of the
seminar we feel as if we knew each other by a
long time.
The last planned activity is the art workshops
led by Alessandro Previti. The activities now
take place outdoors, in the beautiful cloister of
the monastery. Together we make a video
spot against homophobia,
the project includes one
representative from each
association to read a
portion of a text in their
own language. We split
into groups, one for each
association. Each group is
given a task, who has to
write the intro, who the
body of the text, who the
finale. The atmosphere of
the cloister, spacious and
sunny, rather than being a
distraction, creates a
r e l a xe d a n d p e r fe c t
atmosphere for working
together in a creative
project. Alessandro
oversees the groups and
inter venes when
necessary, it happens that
the groups have different
points of view about the
main messages that the
spot should contain, but in
the end we understand how to combine the
ideas and the result is amazing.
Few hours passed and we finish writing,
comparing and combining the ideas. It's time
to make the spot!
Ewa Morawska takes care of the shooting.
Not to laugh in front of the camera is really
difficult sometimes, so we are taking over and
over.
During the recording we have a
surprise: the television station TRM is here to
interview us, they want to know about our
work as they consider the project of public
interest; this for us is a small but important
achievement.
The evening comes, the material for the spot
is ready, we are tired but happy of the work
done. The seminar ends and we salute each
other with emotions. For a while the
monastery was our world; now what we have
learned, gathered, produced will become
fertile ground for us and for others, on which
to sow and reap new fruits.
Francesca Marceca.
21
TO START A CHANGE
For me it was a very interesting opportunity
to see how people deal with the same
problems under different
circumstances (since we
work in organizations from
different countries, we
could observe how the
change happens in the
different territories).
We had many meetings
and wor kshops which
brought tears and smiles,
and knowledge on how to
start the change, or how
to keep up with our work,
to not let the past
achievements to fall apart.
This was extremely
valuable from my point of
view. We had a lot of
positive energy from british
delegation; as it seems their
country is few steps ahead
with the level of
acceptance and tolerance.
We had moments of
sadness when we heard
how hard it is to be LGBT person in Turkey.
We also had some information from deaf
people - this was very valuable too, since they
live in a very closed society. Overall with all
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emotional and cognitive experiences i do
think, that project was very successful and I’m
looking forward new ones.
HOW TO ACCEPT THAT
PEOPLE ARE AS THEY ARE
Łukasz Lesiuk
YSPDB celebrates its 10th anniversary this
year and we normally
evaluate what we have
done during the years.
Amongst many useful
initiatives for the young
people in our region and
Bulgaria we like to think
that we help youngsters to
better understand others
and to build their belief in
one better world. But how
is this possible to believe in
that without ensuring that
our world is democratic
and tolerant towards all
t h e p e o p l e t h a t fe e l
themselves different.
This April, my colleague
Irina and I had the most
powerful experience on
how to accept the
difference. The Seminar
U n i t e d To w a r d s t h e
Change was more than a
simply stating one’s experience in fighting
homophobia in their societies; it was even
more than sharing thoughts in this very
sensitive topic. It was a lesson. A lesson how if
you are ready to be as you are you can find
support, understanding and love. A lesson that
no matter how different you are it doesn’t
mean you are less important and that as long
as you are in peace with yourself you can be
in peace with the others.
Homophobia is very hard topic in my
country. Acceptance and tolerance are not
often for LGBT people, or any other people
considered different. And being able to take
part in this event really made me think how
can I, or how can my organization contribute
in creating better conditions, for those who
are afraid and feel different.
What we can do for sure is to make changes
through small things – making discussions with
our youngsters, challenging them to think
openly and to share what they really think, not
what society makes them think….and other
small but important steps.
What I brought home from this seminar is
that sometimes “One person can make all the
difference” and I will add on that – sometimes
one smile is worth 20 words.
Emiliya Troshanova
LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
As an organisation FFLAG has always worked
with our friends in Europe. We realise how
fortunate our gay sons and daughters are in
the UK compared to some of their peers
across the world. Participating in UTC allowed
us to cement the links we have made in the
past and to make new and enduring
friendships.
By meeting with other parents and sharing
our stories we are able to move forward
feeling stronger and more united to address
the challenges and difficulties that our children
often face. There is no substitute for personal
contact, for hearing at first hand the
experiences of other parents; of the difficulties
they face; of the bravery they show in
standing up for their children; of the love that
conquers those difficulties.
We are now determined to carry on the
work started in Palermo. FFLAG is setting up
an International Support page on its website.
Organisations supporting parents and families
of LGB/T people are asked to submit text in
their country’s language giving details of
support contacts, websites and a message of
support. FFLAG is actively participating in
Pride events across Europe. We are delighted
to be part of a European family saying ‘Love is
all you need’
Sorrel Atkinson
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SHARE YOUR EMOTIONS
Par ticipating in UTC was a deep and
wonderful experience of sharing between
people from different cultures and countries
all linked by the same
m i s s i o n : fi g h t i n g
homophobia. During the
seminar week I understood
the power of personal
stories, true emotions and
real feelings. Those facts are
crucial for wellbeing of
LGBT community and their
relatives and surrounding.
The openness and the
warmth that we all could
experience created a strong
connection between us.Our
experience in a small group
could be applied to the
society; showing emotions
favors integration and real
understanding. I think that if
we want to change the
society we must start from
the emotional level.
Ewa Morawska
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25
S
T
C
E
EFF
, AND
MULTIPLIC ATION
ECT”
“SNOWBALL EFF
TC HAS
“WORKING IN U
OF
BEEN A MOMENT
HE
GROWTH FOR T
D AND
PEOPLE INVOLVE
HAS BEEN A
O
CORNERSTONE T
PE
IMAGINE A EURO
THAT ENSURES
RIGHTS
RESPECT, EQUAL
ITIES
AND OPPORTUN
.”
FOR LGBT PEOPLE
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EUROPEAN DIMENSION
Since 1960, the European Union makes of the
fight against discrimination one of its most
important tasks and often raised its voice in
defense of LGBT people since LGBT people
in many states are prevented, on the basis of
arbitrary criteria, to live a full social life.
The European Union has repeatedly
expressed the need to protect homosexual
and transexual persons. EU urged the
planning and execution of cognitive studies
and sector projects targeted at the promotion
of equal oppor tunities, insisting on the
relevance of operating in network between
LGBT associations already working in the field
and public institutions.
On 18 January 2006 the European Parliament
passed a resolution on homophobia, where
homophobia is equated to racism and
antisemitism.
The convergence of public action, third sector
and the European Union has proved crucial in
improving the quality of life of LGBT people.
Starting from the guidelines established by the
Treaty of Lisbon, our project has as reference
the protection of human r ights, the
comparison and dissemination of social
inclusion policies for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender people, the dissemination of
good practices across Europe.
The achievement of the objectives listed
above has been pursued through the modality
of work and the topics of discussion and
analysis.
The participants were confronted in daily
workshops and seminars. During each
meeting the participants were able to share,
explain and illustrate experiences and
techniques to improve the level of integration
and participation of young people LGBT to
the social life.
The active participation, through horizontal
and democratic debate, increase awareness in
LGBT young people and can actually affect
social development and culture of their
country.
Our project has developed a network of
associations involved in promoting the rights
of LGBT people and involved associations
working generally on the equal opportunities
and respect toward the differences.
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SHARE, LEARN
The methodology of work inside the seminar
was based on cooperative work groups,
activities in circle time, creative activities. This
allowed the free and equal expression and has
encouraged the establishment of a climate of
collaboration and friendship.
The main value of the interventions derived
from the continuous transition from the
theoretical to the real life experience and to
the sharing of emotions. Participants have
come into contact with different realities in
Europe, exchanged good practice, different
working methods and strategies to prevent
and combat violence , exclusion and
discrimination based on gender identity and
sexual orientation.
Volunteer associations are a component of
the development of the civic life of the
territory in which they operate, as they are
able to contextualize the educational and
support interventions.
Overcoming prejudice and stereotypes can
only take place through a gradual process
based on lifelong education, through
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processes that respect the local cultures and
bring renewal and transformation.
Working in UTC has been a moment of
growth for the people involved and has been
a cornerstone to imagine a Europe that
ensures respect, equal rights and
opportunities for LGBT people.
MULTIPLYING EFFECT
The project led to the construction of a
multilevel network of associations, this
network has already given its first fruits,
associations AGEDO-Palermo and LISTAG
attended together the gay parade of 2011 in
Istanbul;
LISTAG during the project showed great
interest in projects relating young people and
upper primary school students, CESVOPPalermo and AGEDO-Palermo invited the
President of LISTAG as a guest for the final
manifestation of tavolo minori (a network of
voluntary associations located in the province
of Palermo that work with youth and that
annually organize a co-operative event open
to citizens where they present their activities).
The associations involved in UTC are always
in a open discussion for future possible
exchanges and cooperative works.
LAMBDA Warszawa has decided to reopen
the window for LGBT deaf people.
The effects of the project results are
manifested in many and many ideas that
bloom every day.
The impact on the public happens through
the cooperation and interest of associations
and medias during the seminar, thanks to a
series of products resulting from the project.
This brochure, the video-story of the project,
the informative video-spot on the internet,
and the extensive photo gallery are always
available online for free.
29
ion
act
n
i
h
t
u
o
Y
This project was made possible thanks to the
support of the Youth in Action program,
which funded the project for a total of:
€ 13,635.
The PROJECT UTC belong to the action
Action 4.3c – Support to youth workers’
mobility and exchanges.
€ 240.00
€ 4,655.00
€ 6,120.00
€ 1,995.00
€ 2,620.00
Transports 80%
Transports 70%
Activity costs
Accomodation Food
Extra (visa)
30
Project leader: Agedo-Palermo
www.agedopalermo.org
Special thanks to Mr Ferdinando Siringo, Mr
Davide Faraone, Mrs Monica Catalano, Mrs Katya
Trinari and Mr Marco Siino for their contributions,
M r s H a s a n M e t e h a n Ö z k a n , M r Ta r k a n
F e n e r c i o g l u , M r s S e m a Ya k a r f o r t h e i r
participation, to Cesvop for their precious support
and help.
This project has been funded with support from
the European Commission.
This publication [communication] reflects the views
only of the author, and the
Commission cannot be held responsible for any
use which may be made of the
information contained therein.
Photos & cover design:
Ewa Morawska
Graphic design:
Alessandro Previti
www.alessandropreviti.com
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