Disclaimer: EL*C uses the term “lesbian” as a broad inclusive term, that includes all lesbian, bisexual and queer women (both cisgender and trans) and non-binary and intersex persons who feel connected to the lesbian identity and lesbian activism. This includes all LBTI women and non binary persons that identify or are perceived as lesbians, bisexual and queer women.
The “Resourcing Lesbian Movements” grant-making program, funded by EL*C in collaboration with the EU, is set to make a significant impact on human rights across Europe. This initiative aims to resource 31 lesbian projects through financial support and capacity development. These grants directly address the chronic underfunding and lack of resources that have historically hindered the lesbian movement.
By enhancing lesbian visibility, promoting intersectional inclusion, and enriching cultural diversity, each grant empowers LBTIQ+ organizations to bolster lesbian activists and movements in their national context, thereby promoting and protecting human rights throughout the region.
This article spotlights five projects in Poland, Hungary and three different regions in Italy. EL*C’s grant has created new centers and hotlines to address violence against lesbians, to support refugees and asylum seekers, provide self-defence and morale-boosting workshops, and trainings to reorganise and bolster established lesbian institutions. Each organisation is therefore ensuring their activists are adequately resourced, trained and skilled, and their communities are supported and able to access necessary services. Together, they are ensuring the lesbian movement is directing its efforts toward co-creating a European United that is free from discrimination and violence based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, age, disability or any other factor.
1. Fundacja Autonomia, Poland
Since 2007, Fundacja Autonomia have been committed to community-building, educating and empowering Poland’s LGBTIQ+ community, while simultaneously working with the media, legal and civil society institutions to sculpt a polish society that is rooted in the inclusion, freedom and dignity of all citizens. Their perspective is always intersectional, their projects are local and nationwide, and they also implement projects in Belarus and Ukraine.
Fundacja Autonomia dedicated EL*C’s grant to offering WenDo Self-Defense and Assertiveness trainings for LBTIQ+ women and non-binary people. Through this they are strengthening community members as individuals, while also building a sense of solidarity with other lesbians of different ages and backgrounds. They also used the grant to fund another important service for individual health and well-being through the Feminist Queer Football Academy. By reclaiming a space in football for those who are excluded from the game for various reasons – especially by nature of their gender and belonging to discriminated groups – Fundacja Autonomia have formed intergenerational, strong and supportive lesbian communities on and off the pitch.
2. qLit, Hungary
The heart of qLit has been commited to building community for LBTIQ+ women in Hungary. Foremostly a magazine, first published six years ago, they now also work to activate community and tackle social isolation through activities and events (namely hiking, table tennis and pub quizzes, amongst others). Their extensive efforts to weave community have been primarily self-financed and challenging considering the Hungarian government’s consistent clampdowns on LGBTIQ+ rights and identities. The qLit team greatly benefited from EL*C’s grant as it was placed into necessary team-building and well-being activities, addressing their burn-out and improving their future capacity and resilience. They also sought organizational realignment by introducing more structured workflows and routines.
Due to the spaciousness the grant provided qLit team, they were able to launch new initiatives for the community, such as successfully organizing bike tours and a football tournament for Hungary’s lesbian community. The organization also used the grant to expand their visibility by attending other Pride events in Europe, spreading the word about qLit and the situation for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary, while also forging new international solidarity and opportunities for collaboration.
3. Associazione Lìberas, Italy
The youngest organisation to receive vital financial support from EL*C’s grant, Associazione Lìberas was officially established in 2023, when 22 professionals from various fields collaborated to form a cohesive feminist response to address the troubling phenomenon of gender violence in Cagliari, Sardinia.
Their main objective is to prevent and combat discrimination and violence of all kinds against women, lesbians, trans and non-binary people and their children. Their approach is intersectional, and they ensure to consider the different aspects that intertwine in lesbian lives, concerning gender identity, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, age, ethnicity, geographical origin, religion, socio-economic conditions, disability and neurodivergence.
Liberas used EL*C’s grant to build the first Feminist and Trans-Feminist Anti-Violence Center in Cagliari for women, lesbians and their children. It provides support in situations of violence within LBTIQ+ and non-binary relationships, in situations of lesbian violence, as well as for women survivors of male violence. With EL*C’s contribution they were able to rent an office and initiate online and offline communications for Cagliari’s Anti-Violence Center. They are also engaging in information and awareness-raising campaigns, and in training new workers and volunteers.
4. Lesbiche Bologna, Italy
It was becoming increasingly clear to Lesbiche Bologna, that there was a dearth of academic research, literature and information on violence in LBTIQ+ relationships. The organization, founded in 1998 (then as Arcilesbica Bologna club), has been focused on ending discrimination and violence against lesbians and contributed to the increased recognition and visibility of LBTIQ+ women and non-binary people on the political and cultural levels in Italy. Most notably, they directly work to reduce violence within the lesbian community – especially in domestic settings – through their Anti-Violence Center and Hotline. Their confidential and anonymous support line is monitored by trained anti-violence workers, who listen and accompany callers – those who are either experiencing or concerned about experiencing violence in their intimate relationships. Lesbiche Bologna’s team provide a potentially life-saving point of contact (through a feminist and lesbian-informed lens), information, advice, direction and connection to the correct support and services.
EL*C’s grant was put to instant use in funding their academic research and data collection on lesbian domestic violence in Italy. It was also able to provide remuneration to their Anti-Violence Hotline workers for the first time, historically, they have offered their time and services voluntarily. This compensation enabled them to enhance the training of their operators and to regulate the service, and expand hours of availability. Lesbiche Bologna saw an immediate increase in the quality of their interventions, bolstering their capacity to protect and support the lesbian community in Bologna and across the country.
5. Lista Lesbica Italiana, Italy
Italy’s first online lesbian community was born in 1996 in Bologna, where it began as a mailing list to connect and address their social isolation. It soon formed into a tangible community, with events, demonstrations and Pride gatherings. Lista Lesbica became a lifeline for lesbians all over Italy; a place of connection, exploration and self-actualization for almost three decades.
This foundational organization have placed EL*C’s grant into providing reception services and on-going support to lesbian and other LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers. To ensure better inclusion and integration of those seeking asylum, Lista Lesbica are supporting with language courses, legal services and vital psychological assistance. Their project has started in Milan, though the approach and methodology will be disseminated to three other cities in Italy.
EL*C’s grant has been necessary in launching these Trainings, Lesbian Services and Well-Being opportunities to promote and protect the rights and lives of the LBTIQ+ community. Notably, the grant has helped to support the community by expanding the skills and resources available to activists. The grant has therefore helped to create a more supportive environment for these defenders of LGBTIQ+ and women’s rights. With greater skill, dexterity and capacity, these activists and organisations can continue to bolster and support the LGBTIQ+ movement on the local, national, and Europe-wide levels.
