European Lesbian* Conference

One of the main goals of the conference is to provide a space for lesbians* to develop a political agenda and a working program for the European lesbian* movement. By consequence, the conference will include panel sessions on topics common to European lesbians* (needs and challenges, lack of resources, feminist issues, intersectionality, etc.), themed workshops (on issues specific to the regions of Europe, lesbians* in LGBT organizations, the media, the empowerment of lesbians*, cultural activities as tools of social change, etc.), ‘safe space’ workshops focusing on the personal wellbeing of the lesbians* (lesbian relationships, coming out processes, mental health, violence in the relationships, economical struggles and problems, etc.), presentations (the situation of lesbians* in different regions, lesbians* refugees in Europe, etc.) as well as cultural activities.

Lesbian* March

In the spirit of dyke marches, this public event aims to increase visibility and attract attention to lesbian* issues within the LGBTQI community, the feminist movement and society. All conference participants, as well as the local community and allies, will be invited to march together. The conference organizers will collaborate with the media for Europe-wide coverage of the event.

Publication of Conference Results

One of the main follow-up activities of the conference will be the publication a compendium of its events. The compendium will contain the main presentations, panel speeches, results of workshop discussions, as well as decisions taken by conference participants. It will be translated into several European languages and distributed among international LGBTI and women organizations, potential donors and partners for further collaboration and the implementation of a political lesbian* agenda.

Networking space

During the conference, spaces will be provided where participants can find potential partners, possible projects, ideas, etc. and discuss specific topics to create thematic coalitions for lesbians*.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The objective of bringing lesbians* together and beginning a dialogue about needs and challenges for lesbians* should lead to significant changes for the members of the lesbian* community in the upcoming years.

The conference should therefore contribute to creating a 5-to-10-year working plan on how to elaborate strategic topics, such as the development of knowledge, practices, actions and memories for feminists and lesbians*, how to increase the visibility of lesbians* and feminists in public spaces, and strengthen the expertise of lesbians* in the media, how to build expertise on the creation of collective living spaces for elderly lesbians*, and how to promote scientific and medical research on lesbian* health and address internal lesbophobia, homophobia, and sexism.

The conference will also create a cooperative platform for lesbians* in Europe, including a map of where current lesbian* activist groups are situated in Europe, a database of lesbians* activists/experts and their special focus of interest; to be updated every year.

And finally, the conference will be the starting point for the creation of a European Lesbian* Organization.