Author: EL*C

 

 

EL*C has secured a research grant from the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to conduct the study entitled: “The State of lesbian organizing and the lived realities of lesbians in the EU and the accession countries”.

This pioneer research project is funded ahead of the international conference on the topic “Lesbian (In-)Visibility in Europe in Politics, (Civil) Society and Science” in November 2020, in the context of the German presidency of both the Council of Europe and the European Council.

Since the creation of EL*C there were numerous comments on how the lack of data, histories, archives, statistics, abstracts on lesbians in Europe was one of the top priorities our movement should address. We are extremely pleased to know that this pioneer and ambitious study will contribute to change this state of play.

Background & Rationale
Even though societies and movements in the EU, and to some extent the accession countries, have come a long way in advancing the rights of LGBTI persons and women’s rights, lesbian women are still facing strong discrimination, violence and stigma, and are one of the most marginalized, vulnerable and invisible social groups, affected by patriarchal gender norms, misogyny, sexism and lesbophobia. Lesbian women face challenges and under-representation in all domains, particularly safety, employment and workplace, academia, politics and decision-making positions, healthcare, family and reproductive rights and media. In addition, the lesbian movement in the EU and the accession countries has been in worrisome decline over the last years.

Due to the above, this project focuses on contributing to bridging the gap in the lack of research and data collection on lesbians in the EU and the accession countries. Disaggregated quantitative and qualitative data on lesbians in most policy areas are lacking, including also data on the state of lesbian organizing. Such data is needed to assess the level of exclusion and discrimination of lesbians, challenges and opportunities, to identify gaps and trends, and to inform relevant remedial action, with the aim to contribute to the advancement of rights and fundamental freedoms of lesbians in EU and the accession countries.

Research outline
The research is being developed via three main streams: 1) historical analysis, 2) organizational mapping, 3) systematic review and meta-analysis on health and structural inequality faced by lesbians in EU and accession countries. The field work for this research will be carried out between October 2019-December 2019. One of the key outcomes of the study will be to bring forth a series of recommendations based on the findings related to the three main streams mentioned above, which will be targeted at policy makers and European level decision makers.

 

 

Follow EL*C

Facebook => Europeanlesbianconference

Twitter => EuroLesbianCon

Web => https://europeanlesbianconference.org

 

 

 

EL*C has secured a research grant from the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to conduct the study entitled: “The State of lesbian organizing and the lived realities of lesbians in the EU and the accession countries”.

This pioneer research project is funded ahead of the international conference on the topic “Lesbian (In-)Visibility in Europe in Politics, (Civil) Society and Science” in November 2020, in the context of the German presidency of both the Council of Europe and the European Council.

Since the creation of EL*C there were numerous comments on how the lack of data, histories, archives, statistics, abstracts on lesbians in Europe was one of the top priorities our movement should address. We are extremely pleased to know that this pioneer and ambitious study will contribute to change this state of play.

Background & Rationale
Even though societies and movements in the EU, and to some extent the accession countries, have come a long way in advancing the rights of LGBTI persons and women’s rights, lesbian women are still facing strong discrimination, violence and stigma, and are one of the most marginalized, vulnerable and invisible social groups, affected by patriarchal gender norms, misogyny, sexism and lesbophobia. Lesbian women face challenges and under-representation in all domains, particularly safety, employment and workplace, academia, politics and decision-making positions, healthcare, family and reproductive rights and media. In addition, the lesbian movement in the EU and the accession countries has been in worrisome decline over the last years.

Due to the above, this project focuses on contributing to bridging the gap in the lack of research and data collection on lesbians in the EU and the accession countries. Disaggregated quantitative and qualitative data on lesbians in most policy areas are lacking, including also data on the state of lesbian organizing. Such data is needed to assess the level of exclusion and discrimination of lesbians, challenges and opportunities, to identify gaps and trends, and to inform relevant remedial action, with the aim to contribute to the advancement of rights and fundamental freedoms of lesbians in EU and the accession countries.

Research outline
The research is being developed via three main streams: 1) historical analysis, 2) organizational mapping, 3) systematic review and meta-analysis on health and structural inequality faced by lesbians in EU and accession countries. The field work for this research will be carried out between October 2019-December 2019. One of the key outcomes of the study will be to bring forth a series of recommendations based on the findings related to the three main streams mentioned above, which will be targeted at policy makers and European level decision makers.

 

 

Follow EL*C

Facebook => Europeanlesbianconference

Twitter => EuroLesbianCon

Web => https://europeanlesbianconference.org

 

[embeddoc url=”https://europeanlesbianconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ukrainian-ELC-Final-Conference-Report-2.pdf” download=”all”]

[embeddoc url=”https://europeanlesbianconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ukrainian-ELC-Final-Conference-Report-2.pdf” download=”all”]

 

 

[embeddoc url=”https://europeanlesbianconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Russian-ELC-Final-Conference-Report-1-1.pdf” download=”all”]

 

 

[embeddoc url=”https://europeanlesbianconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Russian-ELC-Final-Conference-Report-1-1.pdf” download=”all”]

Alliances with trans activists

Lesbians have historically been at the forefront of struggles against the policing of bodies and political oppression of self-determination. Leading the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights – notably abortion rights, alongside straight women, joining in the fight against AIDS with gay men, being part of the black lives matter movement against racism and racially motivated police violence, as well as supporting the fight for trans persons’ rights and ending a system of gender dichotomy. The diverse lesbian and trans communities are strong allies. We know we have common adversaries that threaten and strategically attack our fundamental rights.

EL*C is very concerned about attempts to erase the historical legacy of mutual alliance and support. Our conference, our board and our movement are open to all those who are committed to fighting for the rights, the visibility and the well-being of lesbians, regardless of gender identity.

We are determined not to give in to the unscrupulous and hideous attempts to divide the lesbian movement, and more broadly the LGBTIQ+ movement, through controversies that only serve the interest of our common detractors/opponents, and derail us from our mission. We are proud to welcome everyone at EL*C and remain true to the spirit of our “lesbian pioneers” who have been allies to other emancipatory social and political movements that strive for freedom from oppression.

Our values

#INCLUSION: As already firmly stated in EL*C’s first concept note, our aim is to hold an inclusive European lesbian conference. We insist on calling it a lesbian conference although we recognize that, as with any category or label, it may be contested and insufficient to describe the diversity of our communities. We are aware that many previous lesbian gatherings have struggled with issues about who should or should not be included at the conference. However, using the word “lesbian” is part of the political struggle for visibility, empowerment and representation. We therefore use “lesbian*” with an asterisk, so as to include also those who identify as lesbian, bi, trans, intersex or queer, and others who feel connected and committed to lesbian* activism.

#RESPECT: EL*C recognises the variety of positions, strategies, and struggles that coexist within our movement and among the broad and diverse community that we look to support. Above all, as the movement is being built, we care to create a climate of mutual respect and trust, where constructive conversations can be held and opinions can be allowed to evolve, in a spirit of sisterhood and without judgment. In this light, EL*C supports the right to self-determination of trans women who are part of our unified movement.

#REPRESENTATION: EL*C fights for the rights, the visibility, as well as the safety and well-being of lesbians in Europe and Central Asia. Our movement is diverse in many respects, starting with the fact that it covers a large geographical scope from Western Europe to Central Asia, where lesbians, their organisations and their families, are faced with very different realities, needs and challenges. It is also an intersectional movement, which strives to secure space and representation for lesbians of all ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic backgrounds, disabled or not, of all ages, nationalities, etc. We also acknowledge the instrumental role that segregated spaces have played historically, and continue to play today, in providing the necessary platforms for LGBTIQ+ and feminist movements to regroup and for diverse voices to emerge. As such, within the broader European lesbian movement, we recognize the need of lesbians and of women to meet and organise based on their defined needs and identities.

 

TIME TO BE UNITED: Keeping in mind the political context in many European and Central Asian countries faced with the rise and pressure of anti-gender narratives and policies, it is more important than ever that lesbians remain united and that we forge robust relations based on solidarity and mutual respect with other LGBTIQ, feminist and emancipatory networks.

Alliances with trans activists

Lesbians have historically been at the forefront of struggles against the policing of bodies and political oppression of self-determination. Leading the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights – notably abortion rights, alongside straight women, joining in the fight against AIDS with gay men, being part of the black lives matter movement against racism and racially motivated police violence, as well as supporting the fight for trans persons’ rights and ending a system of gender dichotomy. The diverse lesbian and trans communities are strong allies. We know we have common adversaries that threaten and strategically attack our fundamental rights.

EL*C is very concerned about attempts to erase the historical legacy of mutual alliance and support. Our conference, our board and our movement are open to all those who are committed to fighting for the rights, the visibility and the well-being of lesbians, regardless of gender identity.

We are determined not to give in to the unscrupulous and hideous attempts to divide the lesbian movement, and more broadly the LGBTIQ+ movement, through controversies that only serve the interest of our common detractors/opponents, and derail us from our mission. We are proud to welcome everyone at EL*C and remain true to the spirit of our “lesbian pioneers” who have been allies to other emancipatory social and political movements that strive for freedom from oppression.

Our values

#INCLUSION: As already firmly stated in EL*C’s first concept note, our aim is to hold an inclusive European lesbian conference. We insist on calling it a lesbian conference although we recognize that, as with any category or label, it may be contested and insufficient to describe the diversity of our communities. We are aware that many previous lesbian gatherings have struggled with issues about who should or should not be included at the conference. However, using the word “lesbian” is part of the political struggle for visibility, empowerment and representation. We therefore use “lesbian*” with an asterisk, so as to include also those who identify as lesbian, bi, trans, intersex or queer, and others who feel connected and committed to lesbian* activism.

#RESPECT: EL*C recognises the variety of positions, strategies, and struggles that coexist within our movement and among the broad and diverse community that we look to support. Above all, as the movement is being built, we care to create a climate of mutual respect and trust, where constructive conversations can be held and opinions can be allowed to evolve, in a spirit of sisterhood and without judgment. In this light, EL*C supports the right to self-determination of trans women who are part of our unified movement.

#REPRESENTATION: EL*C fights for the rights, the visibility, as well as the safety and well-being of lesbians in Europe and Central Asia. Our movement is diverse in many respects, starting with the fact that it covers a large geographical scope from Western Europe to Central Asia, where lesbians, their organisations and their families, are faced with very different realities, needs and challenges. It is also an intersectional movement, which strives to secure space and representation for lesbians of all ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic backgrounds, disabled or not, of all ages, nationalities, etc. We also acknowledge the instrumental role that segregated spaces have played historically, and continue to play today, in providing the necessary platforms for LGBTIQ+ and feminist movements to regroup and for diverse voices to emerge. As such, within the broader European lesbian movement, we recognize the need of lesbians and of women to meet and organise based on their defined needs and identities.

 

TIME TO BE UNITED: Keeping in mind the political context in many European and Central Asian countries faced with the rise and pressure of anti-gender narratives and policies, it is more important than ever that lesbians remain united and that we forge robust relations based on solidarity and mutual respect with other LGBTIQ, feminist and emancipatory networks.