Author: EL*C

The EuroCentralAsian Lesbian Community – EL*C is thrilled to announce awarding 802,696 EUR to support 21 projects dedicated to preventing and combating gender-based violence against LBTIQ women and non-binary persons in Europe.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the applicants for their proposals and commitment to combating gender-based violence against lesbians. The selection process was not easy, as each submission demonstrated remarkable dedication to this human rights cause.

The lesbian movement remains one of the most severely underfunded sectors of civil society, often overlooked despite the intersectional challenges faced by lesbian communities. ELC’s grant-making program combating gender-based violence against LBTIQ+ women and non-binary persons is a transformative intervention in this funding landscape, providing much-needed resources to organizations. Through this grant-making program, EL*C advances democracy, human rights, and equality throughout Europe. This financial support provides the means to ensure that the voices of lesbian communities are heard, their rights protected, and their contributions to civil society recognized.

As the selected organizations embark on their journeys, their collective efforts will fortify the principles of equality, security, and human rights for lesbian communities across the EU and in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Albania.

Each organization brings a unique perspective to the forefront of the lesbian rights fight. Meet the EL*C 2024 grant recipients leading the fight against gender-based violence:

Asociación Nós Mesmas , Spain
The project aims to fight gender based violence through the empowerment of LBTIQ women and non-binary people who have been victims of GBV, by supporting and training them. The project includes providing a range of support services to victims, and also the creation of a support group for and by victims of violence.

Bilitis Foundation, Bulgaria
Bilitis Foundation will research the current state of affairs of GBV against LBTIQ women and non-binary persons in Bulgaria to shed light on this under-researched and legally neglected social anomaly. The research results will be used to establish collaboration with service providers to survivors of GBV for enhancing their support to our target groups and more adequate addressing of specific intersectional needs.

Cure Foundation, Bosnia and Herzegovina
CURE Foundation’s project focuses on the empowerment of the LBTIQ community in Bosnia and Herzegovina in providing direct assistance in the process of access to justice to victims of gender-based violence. The project will train and support new community helpers who will act as bridges between LBTIQ communities and available systems for protecting victims of GBV.

Differenza Lesbica Roma APS, Italy
The project aims to uplift and support LBTIQ women and non-binary individuals affected by gender-based violence through specialized professional training, personalized counseling, and theater workshops. These efforts will enhance service quality, aid in healing, and raise community awareness about GBV.

ERA – Women Loving Women Caucus, Serbia
This project aims to analyze national strategies and action plans for gender equality and combating violence against women in Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, with a focus on the inclusion of lesbian* women. Based on the findings, ERA WLW and its partners in the four countries will advocate for policy improvements to enhance protection and support for these women in the region.

Filosa Associació, Spain
The project envisions a research and community action that aims to bring various actors from the community together who collaborate in the eradication of structural and social violence, especially gender and LBTIQ violence experienced by LBTIQ women and non-binary people on the island of Menorca.

Front d’habitat lesbien (FHL), France
FHL will provide, on the one hand, accommodation and support services for lesbian and trans persons who experienced GBV, in particular for refugees. On the other hand, FHL will provide services also on an outpatient basis, e.g. in cases when refugees suffer violence and discrimination. In addition, the group will also engage with authorities and other NGO actors on this topic regularly.

Institute My Rainbow, Slovenia
Institute My Rainbow will reduce the harm of gender-based violence towards lesbians* and non-binary people in Slovenia through addressing its consequences on the individual level (tailored counselling, community initiatives, self-harm and suicide prevention) and on the community level (tackling gender stereotypes with future social workers, theatre of the oppressed actions in public spaces, raising awareness on online platforms).

Intersex Greece, Greece
The project focuses on exploring intersectionalities within the intersex community in Greece, with a focus on sexual orientation. It introduces a set of activities that aim to support the work of Intersex Greece on GBV and discrimination and empower its members with a focus on intersex LB+ women and non-binary persons.

Kikimora and Kikimora Foundation, Bulgaria
This 5-step project aims to foster a safer environment within bars and nightclubs throughout Bulgaria by researching EU policies on roofies and the depths of the problem in the country. The project also aims to raise awareness on statistics, prevention and good practices in cases of spiking, equipping the staff of nightlife venues with knowledge and skills that will help them keep people at risk safe.

Kolektiv MANA, Serbia
The project will, through trainings and supporting activities, equip youth workers in Serbia with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent and react to LGBT+ GBV, providing support to LGBT+ people affected by GBV who do not have access to dedicated LGBT+ centers.

L*-Communio, Serbia
The project is designed to reach out to LBTI women in rural areas in Serbia who do not have the opportunity to report violence, who do not know their rights, to empower them to report violence and help them through the process. The project includes a media campaign through social networks, and experience exchange with sister organizations in Serbia and surrounding countries (Croatia and Slovenia), outreach and support services for LBTI community members, as well as cooperation with state parties on GBV.

Labris – Lesbian Human Rights Organization, Serbia
The project aims to create a society where LBTIQ women and non-binary persons can live free from fear of partner violence and have access to the support and protection they need to thrive. The project will achieve this by increasing knowledge and understanding about violence in romantic relationships, empowering LBTIQ women and non-binary persons with skills and knowledge to recognize signs of abuse and seek help, advocating for policy changes, providing psychological support and counseling services, and establishing partnerships with other civil society organizations.

Les Lesbiennes Dépassent les Frontières, France
The project seeks to meet the specific needs of lesbian survivors of GBV by increasing support through the provision of services (housing, legal, psychological, medical, administrative support). The project also aims to strengthen the internal capacities of the Lesbians Beyond Borders solidarity network by training additional members of the network in supporting lesbians through the asylum-seeking process and through social administrative procedures.

Lesbiche Bologna APS, Italy
The project aims to raise individual and collective awareness about LBTIQ intimate partner violence, understanding this as a specific and invisibilized form of gender-based violence. The projects also aims to improve the services and spread the word about the Lesbian and Anti-Violence Hotline in the community.

Lìberas, Italy
The main objective of the project is to improve the service offered by Lìberas to victims of GBV and to raise awareness among the LBT* community in Sardinia on the issue of gender-based violence. The project will conduct research among LBT* community members about their perception of GBV, and will also include training of Liberas service providers as well as an awareness-raising campaign.

LORI, Croatia
The main goal of the project is to ensure availability and adequate support and protection for LBTIQ women and non-binary persons who are survivors of gender-based violence in Croatia. The project encourages the collaboration of women-focused organisations through various activities such as: national research, developing guidelines for providing support to LBTIQ women and non-binary persons who survived GBV, networking event, capacity building and awareness-raising actions.

Rainbow Ignite, Serbia
Rainbow Ignite’s project aims to produce a comprehensive report on the needs and challenges faced by LBTIQ+ women in Serbia, with a focus on gender-based violence (GBV), leveraging existing connections with private, public, and civil society sectors. The project seeks to provide data on GBV, foster public awareness, and advocate for policy changes to ensure long-term improvements in the lives of LBTIQ+ women and non-binary persons.

Rromnjako Ilo, Serbia
The project aims to contribute to more inclusive GBV protection mechanisms for LBTIQ Roma women and minority women in Serbia. The activities to support this goal are: provisioning of gender-sensitive support services to LBTIQ women and non-binary persons, such as victim support tailored to their specific needs, and awareness raising aimed in particular at creating links and animating communities in the field of preventing and combating gender-based violence against LBTIQ women and non-binary persons.

Stichting Ondersteboven, Netherlands
The project will strengthen and expand the network of stakeholders, including policy-makers, community (LBTIQ+) and family members and other allies (feminist and LGBTIQ organizations) in order to diminish GBV against LBTIQ women and nonbinary persons in a sustainable way. Tools will include workshops, formal and informal meetings, community building, the creation of a strategic plan as well as monitoring.

Transfeminiinit ry, Finland
By reviewing the literature on gender based violence and engaging with the community, the project aims to bring the issues of lesbian identifying trans women, and trans, nonbinary and intersex feminines to the forefront while finding community based solutions. The result of the mapping will be used to advocate for legislative revision and reform.

EL*C is proud to support these organizations, and we are confident that their work will advance human rights within and beyond the EU.

Funded by the European Union, this EL*C grant-making program plays an important role in advancing the fight against gender-based violence. For those inspired by this mission, the next opportunity to apply for EL*C grant on combating gender-based violence against lesbians* will open in 2025.

Become a member of EL*C to be the first to know when the call for proposals opens.

Join us for an online advocacy training exclusively for EL*C members on October 8th at 18:30 CET.
This 1.5-hour session will focus on the broader efforts to advocate for the rights of lesbians*.

We will discuss EL*C’s advocacy effort, for example, the upcoming Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) resolution on the rights of LBQ women. This historical text, currently being debated, highlights the importance of visibility, combating lesbophobia, and supporting lesbian families.

Led by Ilaria Todde, EL*C’s Advocacy Director, the training will cover:

• The history and significance of advocacy for LBQ women.
• How to use reports and resolutions like PACE’s one in your advocacy.
• Practical strategies for ensuring real change for LBQ women across Europe.

Date & Time: October 8th, 18:30 CET (1.5 hours)
Platform: Online (Zoom)

REGISTER NOW

Can’t make it? The session will be recorded and made available to EL*C members.

This training is available exclusively for EL*C members (organizations and individuals). Not a member yet? Sign up today!

Lesbian organizations have long faced marginalization, not just in society but also within the funding landscape. Despite the critical role these organizations play in advancing human rights, they are frequently left underfunded and overlooked in both the women’s rights and broader LGBTI movements. It’s time to change that. With rising anti-gender movements and increasing threats to our communities, the need for financial empowerment is more urgent than ever. The moment has come for lesbian organizations to take control of their financial futures and secure the resources they deserve.

Lesbian organizations have been pushing boundaries for years, yet they continue to face both societal and funding neglect. 🌈💪 Despite being on the frontlines of the fight for human rights, they’re too often underfunded and overlooked—even within women’s rights and LGBTI movements.It’s time to change that.

⏰ In the face of rising anti-gender movements and growing threats to our communities, financial empowerment isn’t just important—it’s urgent. Let’s secure the resources lesbian organizations need to take charge of their futures and thrive. 💸💥

FUNDING FOR LESBIAN ORGANIZATIONS is an online training aimed at helping lesbian organizations overcome the systemic barriers to funding.
This workshop will cover practical strategies for identifying potential donors, crafting compelling funding proposals, and building long-term relationships with grant-makers. You’ll learn how to connect your mission with the priorities of different funding bodies and gain insights into diversifying funding sources to achieve greater financial security and independence.

REGISTER NOW

Training Date: 26th September, 18:30 CET

This training is available exclusively for EL*C members (organizations and individuals).

This session will be led by Dragana Todorović, the Executive Director of EL*C, who has years of experience in strategic fundraising and organizational development. As a dedicated advocate for the lesbian movement, Dragana’s work has spanned various sectors, including NGOs, government, and the private sphere.

Can’t make it? The session will be recorded and made available to EL*C members.

Not a member yet? Sign up today!

EL*C is proud to announce the release of our most comprehensive report on the violations of lesbians’ human rights across Europe.

This report was submitted as part of the Council of Europe’s comprehensive review of CM/REC(2010)5, its Recommendation to member states on measures to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It highlights real cases and examples from across the continent, shedding light on the critical issues lesbians face in areas such as:

• Safety and protection against violence
• Access to justice
• Employment
• Healthcare
• Asylum
• Housing
• Education
• Sport

We provided evidence-based arguments on why lesbians must be central to these discussions and offer detailed recommendations for public authorities, partners, and other key stakeholders. We designed this work to be a practical tool for everyone in the community—whether you’re involved in advocacy, fundraising, or community building, you can use this data to drive change.

This report was truly a community effort. Many EL*C members participated by joining focus groups, filling out questionnaires, or taking part in interviews. The expertise and experiences shared with us were invaluable in shaping this report. Dive into the results of our community’s work, and let’s continue pushing for lesbian rights everywhere!

Read the full report

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Job title: Grants and Sustainability Manager 

Contract duration: one year with a possibility of extension  

Monthly salary: 4.750,00 EUR (Gross II) Working hours: full time (40 hours per week)  

Location: Remote work 

About EL*C: 

EL*C- EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community is an umbrella feminist network of lesbian organizations and lesbian individuals from across Europe and Central Asia. EL*C was established in 2016, and its headquarters are in Vienna, Austria. From 2016, EL*C set out to be a network aimed at making lesbians visible, strengthening their participation in decision making spheres, and increasing their access to human rights, social justice, economic justice and wellbeing, while influencing relevant policies on the national, regional, European and international levels, from the perspective of the needs and interests of lesbians. As such, EL*C strives to be a representative, powerful and visible voice of lesbian movements in Europe and Central Asia, and has implemented numerous activities in the areas of movement building, networking, advocacy and policy, visibility and public campaigning, research and grant-making.  

The EL*C uses the word “lesbian” as a broad inclusive term, including lesbians who identify as trans, non-binary, as well as intersex lesbians, and bisexual or queer women. For this reason, unless otherwise specified, the term “lesbian” includes all non-heterosexual LBTIQ women and non-binary persons, in line with EL*C’s policy to give visibility and empowerment through the use of the word “lesbian”. We will also refer to lesbian organizations to include all groups focused on and led by LBTIQ women and non-binary persons. 

Job summary: 

The Grants and Sustainability Manager position is vital for achieving EL*C’s mission and strategic goals of increasing capacities of EL*C to become a sustainable, strong and effective voice of lesbian needs and interests in relevant policy and awareness raising processes, on national, regional and international levels. In addition, this position plays a key role in increasing capacities of lesbian organizations in order for them to manage their own development and progress, achieve legal and financial sustainability and autonomy, increase accountability and representativeness and become a strong voice in policy and legal reform processes. The Grants and Sustainability Manager is a member of the development team and works closely with the Executive Directors and the Finance and Administration Officer. The Grants and Sustainability Manager is responsible for managing grants received by EL*C, EL*C’s re-granting program and funder relationships, including capacity assessment, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and compliance management.   

Main duties and responsibilities: 

➢  Implementing EL*C’s development and sustainability priorities. 

➢  Conducting needs and capacity assessments of the lesbian movement and engaging in regular consultations with member organizations.  

➢  Grant proposal development and submission.  

➢  Developing and implementing EL*C’s re-granting programs. 

➢  Developing and implementing capacity development programs for EL*C grantees (in relation to grant implementation) and assisting and supporting grantees with grant implementation.   

➢  Maintaining and building relationships with funders and other strategic partners. 

➢  Monitoring of available funding opportunities. 

➢  Maintaining master calendar of grants and prospects and all associated files and correspondence.  

➢  Drafting proposals/LOIs, grant application narratives, and budgets and collaborate to finalize with program staff, finance, and the Executive Directors. 

➢  Maintain grant compliance and reporting, including outcome measurement.  

➢  Monitoring and maintaining funder reporting schedules and requirements. 

➢  Assembling grant reports and all necessary supporting materials and documents. 

Required qualifications, experience, and skills: 

➢  At least 5 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing and grants management.  

➢  Demonstrated experience and knowledge related to human rights, gender equality and/or LGBTIQ equality. 

➢  Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with lesbian and feminist movements. 

➢  Demonstrated analytical and persuasive communication skills as well as superior editing skills, including ability to convey complex information in a clear manner to a diverse audience.  

➢  Strong management and administrative skills and self-motivated with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks under minimal supervision in effective and efficient manner.  

➢  Familiarity and experience working with different funders and grant applications. 

➢  Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines without sacrificing quality.  

➢  Demonstrated ability to think in an analytical and strategic way. 

 ➢  Ability to work in diversified environments as part of a team as well as independently. 

➢  Ability to travel frequently.  

➢  Excellent command of spoken and written English language.  

➢  Ability to build and maintain relationships, networks and alliances. 

➢  Demonstrated ability to perform responsibilities in a composed and nuanced manner.  

➢  Demonstrated ability and versatility in conveying positions diplomatically. 

Working conditions:  

The working week consists of 5 working days and a total of 40 working hours per week, usually Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. When needed, the position requires extra working hours and sometimes work over weekends (time off in lieu is given), and frequent travel. The manager will be employed under the Labor Law of the country of residence. The Gross II salary (inclusive of all relevant taxes, contributions and benefits) is 4750,00 EUR per calendar month.  

EL*C actively encourages and promotes equal treatment and non-discrimination in all its policies, including employment policies and practices. EL*C is dedicated in its efforts to oppose any type of direct and indirect discrimination based on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, race or any other ground. However, EL*C acknowledges the existence of multiple discrimination of lesbians* and applies affirmative measures in the case of equal qualifications of the candidates by giving preference to lesbians*. We will also provide any necessary assistance to applicants with any special requirements to participate fully in the process.  

How to apply?  

Please send your CV, a motivation letter (no more than 2 pages) and contact information of 2 previous employers, to the following e-mail address: squad@lesbiangenius.org  

The closing date will be January 15, 2023 at 23.59pm CET, while the interviews will be held via Zoom between January 23-27, 2023.  

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Job title: Advocacy and Research Officer  

Contract duration: One year with a possibility of extension   

Monthly salary: 3.750,00 EUR (Gross II) Working hours: full time (40 hours a week)  

Location: Remote work 

About EL*C: 

EL*C- EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community is an umbrella feminist network of lesbian organizations and lesbian individuals from across Europe and Central Asia. EL*C was established in 2016, and its headquarters are in Vienna, Austria. From 2016, EL*C set out to be a network aimed at making lesbians visible, strengthening their participation in decision making spheres, and increasing their access to human rights, social justice, economic justice and wellbeing, while influencing relevant policies on the national, regional, European and international levels, from the perspective of the needs and interests of lesbians. As such, EL*C strives to be a representative, powerful and visible voice of lesbian movements in Europe and Central Asia, and has implemented numerous activities in the areas of movement building, networking, advocacy and policy, visibility and public campaigning, research and grant-making.   

EL*C uses the word “lesbian” as a broad inclusive term, including lesbians who identify as trans, non-binary, as well as intersex lesbians, and bisexual or queer women. For this reason, unless otherwise specified, the term “lesbian” includes all non-heterosexual LBTIQ women and non-binary persons, in line with EL*C’s policy to give visibility and empowerment through the use of the word “lesbian”. We will also refer to lesbian organizations to include all groups focused on and led by LBTIQ women and non-binary persons. 

Job summary: 

The advocacy and research officer position is vital for achieving EL*C’s mission and strategic goals and positioning EL*C as one of the most important actors in advocating for the rights of lesbians in Europe and Central Asia. The main aim of this position is to ensure that human rights of lesbians are advocated for at national, regional and international levels, while building on the previous work of EL*C in the area, and in accordance with EL*C’s strategic priorities. The Advocacy and Research Officer works closely with the Advocacy Dykerector, and other staff members. 

Main duties and responsibilities: 

➢ Implementing EL*C’s advocacy and policy priorities.  

➢ Developing and implementing monitoring methodologies. 

➢ Continuous monitoring of opportunities and challenges relevant for policy and advocacy of rights of lesbians on national, regional and international levels.   

➢ Developing advocacy and policy approaches and strategies. 

➢ Engaging with key policy stakeholders and processes on national, regional and international levels, including national governments and institutions, as well as multilateral institutions (European Union institutions, the Council of Europe and the United Nations).  

➢ Developing issue-oriented advocacy and policy content such as advocacy briefs, position papers, statements, recommendations.  

➢ Identifying gaps and needs in terms of data gathering/research.  

➢ Managing qualitative and quantitative research activities 

➢ Collecting and maintain up-to-date data on key policy and advocacy issues 

➢ Collecting and analyzing best practices in the field of advocacy.  

➢ Engaging in regular consultations with member organizations.  

➢ Assisting and supporting member organizations in their advocacy activities.  

➢ Participate in advocacy related capacity development activities of member organizations and other stakeholders. 

➢ Developing and maintaining relations, partnerships, strategic alliances, and coalitions relevant for supporting and achieving legal, political and social change  

Required qualifications, experience, and skills: 

➢ At least 3 years of work experience in human rights advocacy on national, regional and/or international levels. 

➢ Demonstrated expertise in human rights, gender equality, and/or LGBTIQ equality. 

➢ Familiarity with research methodologies.  

➢ Demonstrated ability to think in an analytical and strategic way. 

➢ Ability to develop evidence-based policy proposals. 

➢ Ability to work in diversified environments as part of a team as well as independently.  

➢ Ability to travel frequently.  

➢ Excellent command of spoken and written English language.  

➢ Excellent communication and presentation skills, adaptable to different audiences.   

➢ Strong time management skills, including performance under pressure.  

➢ Ability to build relationships, networks and alliances. 

➢ Demonstrated ability to perform responsibilities in a composed and nuanced manner.  

➢ Demonstrated ability and versatility in conveying positions diplomatically.  

Working conditions:  

The working week consists of 5 working days and a total of 40 working hours per week, usually Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. When needed, the position requires extra working hours and sometimes work over weekends (time off in lieu is given) and frequent travel. The officer will be employed under the Labor Law of the country of residence. The Gross II salary (inclusive of all relevant taxes, contributions and benefits) is 3750,00 EUR per calendar month.  

EL*C actively encourages and promotes equal treatment and non-discrimination in all its policies, including employment policies and practices. EL*C is dedicated in its efforts to oppose any type of direct and indirect discrimination based on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, race or any other ground. However, EL*C acknowledges the existence of multiple discrimination of lesbians* and applies affirmative measures in the case of equal qualifications of the candidates by giving the preference to lesbians*. We will also provide any necessary assistance to applicants with any special requirements to participate fully in the process.  

How to apply?  

Please send your CV, a motivation letter (no more than 2 pages) and contact information of 2 previous employers, to the following e-mail address: squad@lesbiangenius.org  

The closing date will be January 15, 2023 at 23.59pm CET, while the interviews will be held via Zoom between January 23-27, 2023.  

Since its inception, EL*C has been striving to create a space and contribute to a community that is inclusive and encompasses the diversity of identities and experiences under the lesbian* umbrella. As stated in our internal guidance on inclusion and diversity, “the diverse lesbian and trans communities are strong allies” and while this is true in many contexts, there are continued “attempts to erase the historical legacy of mutual alliance and support’’. Many of our trans and non-binary siblings have traditionally socialized within the lesbian* communities, finding support and voice in these extended families and participating in the collective struggle against the cis-hetero-patriarchal system and capitalist oppression and indeed trans and gender-diverse persons in the EL*C board and membership represent an integral part of EL*C’s organizational identity. Diversity is inherent and natural to our communities and “efforts to exclude trans women and non-binary people from lesbian and feminist communities are ahistorical, morally wrong, and go against the founding values of those movements’’ as is eloquently put in a 2022 statement from the U.S.-based National Center for Transgender Equality.

However, the exclusionary efforts mentioned above have been gaining traction. We live in a climate where many famous public figures such as writers, politicians, self-proclaimed feminists, academics and journalists feel entitled to use their platforms to amplify the unfounded and unscientific transphobic claims simply aimed at pitting trans and non-binary people against cis women (including cis lesbians). This tendency has been seeping into some of the feminist and LGBT/QI activist circles, further undermining the safety and well-being of our trans and gender diverse siblings. 

The vitriol present in the public debate (which predominantly excludes trans and non-binary voices and their perspective) has very real consequences in form of delayed reforms or adoption of outright oppressive legislation, decreased availability of resources in the area of gender-affirming care and relevant medical and psycho-social support systems. In the United States alone at least 25 bills in state legislatures were passed in 2022 targeting trans people. Across Europe and Central Asia, trans-exclusionary groups, often situated within broader anti-gender movements, contribute to both regressive policies and the slowing down of positive social change. Between 2020-2022, UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden have refused to propose and/or pass legal gender recognition legislation based on self-determination. The pathologization of trans identities continues for instance in Kazakhstan as well as in Czechia where in 2022 a court ruled to uphold the forced sterilization requirement for legal gender recognition.  Moreover, in recent years Hungary and Kyrgyzstan removed the possibility to obtain legal gender recognition at all, while Kazakhstan in 2020 raised the age threshold for requesting gender affirming care and legal gender recognition from 18 to 21. All of this is happening in the context of publicly expressed transphobia, transmisogyny, and an infected debate against a community that already suffers from disproportionate exposure to violence, discrimination and socio-economic exclusion. This violence is too often fatal. In 2021-2022 alone, TGEU and International Trans Day of Remembrance report 327 murders of trans and gender diverse persons globally. According to a Fundamental Rights Association (FRA) survey from 2020, 46% of trans respondents in Europe reported difficulty in making ends meet, with 54% of trans women pointing to financial difficulties. An additional implication of the conditions that trans and gender diverse people find themselves in lies in the reduced average life expectancy, which, for instance, is 35 for trans people in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to RedLacTrans. 

Conservative politicians rapidly latch onto transphobic rhetoric and start questioning the ’’effects’’ of trans identities and experiences on others, while proceeding to pen repressive bills in order to boost their political agenda. Thus, it is clear that while parts of the trans-exclusionary rhetoric have its origins within segments of feminist movements, it serves the same anti-gender groups that work to ban abortion, limit access to other sexual and reproductive rights and keep gay, bi and lesbian people outside of the family rights framework. The same people who actively used to claim (and sometimes still do) to protect children from the influence of gays and lesbians, now come out against “the dangers” of the “rapid-onset” gender-diversity. Unsurprisingly, instead of protecting they cause suffering and desperation. TGEU affirms that “[m]any trans children and youth face family rejection and violence due to their trans identity, and may be thrown out of the family homes, pushed into housing insecurity or homelessness. Family and societal rejection also result in many trans young people suffering from mental health problems, anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, and thoughts of suicide. All these factors can lead to trans youth struggling in school, which can increase their chance of financial insecurity in the future.”

Under the pretext of protecting traditions, conservative forces  are policing the lives and behaviors of numerous vulnerable communities to keep them in subservient silence and poverty. These forces aim to maintain power through division. The 2021 report by the UN Independent Expert on SOGI identified that the lines between broader anti-gender and specific anti-trans narratives is becoming increasingly blurred, given that “by normalizing the false idea of a monolithic religio-cultural identity, and frequently entrenching a climate of fear within public discourse, rhetoric linked to sovereignty and patriarchal and absolutist interpretations of culture and religion are reinforced to achieve political, social and/or economic power”. 

As lesbians* we at EL*C clearly understand that denying or questioning the legitimacy of identities and experiences of our fellow trans and non-binary community members, is part of the same structures that deny the legitimacy of gender expressions of many cis lesbians. For instance, the UN Independent Expert on SOGI observes (reiterating the observation of the CEDAW Committee) that “women who do not conform to gender stereotypes, including LBT women, are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, violence and criminalization”. Both femme and butch lesbians, for example, have been historically demonized and perceived as a mimicry of heterosexuality, by the same strands of feminism, that are often situated in the modern-day trans exclusionary discourse. According to Jack Halberstam “[t]he rejection of butch as a repulsive stereotype by some lesbian feminists also had the unfortunate effect of pathologizing the only visible signifier of queer dyke desire…” at the same time as the rejection of femme gender expressions further continued to perpetuate misogyny. Both Jack Halberstam in 1998 and Finn McKay in 2021 speak about trans people and gender non-conforming lesbians having their gender expressions policed in public toilets. For many of us in the trans and lesbian communities public bathrooms have for decades symbolized and represented “a limit to [our] ability to move in the public space” (Halberstam, 1998 p.23). This type of policing has often been perpetrated more specifically in the lesbian circles towards gender non-conforming lesbians whose gender expression and/or sexual experiences and practices did not fit the accepted identity norms. 

While we as a lesbian* community have partially moved away from the narrow understanding of gender and sexuality, our trans and non-binary siblings continue to face discrimination. Their identities are being questioned and vilified both by the anti-gender movements and by parts of their own feminist and queer communities. At the EL*C we do not accept this discrimination and commit to opposing it within our organization and the spaces we occupy. 

We are committed to continuously learning and discussing the multitude of ways in which existing power structures in society affect all women and gender diverse persons. As Finn McKay puts it this “includes the intersections of racism, class oppression, homophobia, failure to accommodate illness and disability or cater to caring responsibilities…” While our trans and non-binary siblings may be primarily targeted because of their gender identities and expressions, these experiences of violence and discrimination are severely compounded when trans and non-binary individuals in question carry an extra layer of exclusion such as being black, people of color, indigenous, refugees, disabled or poor. The racial and class aspects of transphobic attacks represent a systemic issue that goes back to the colonial practices of submission and oppression. This needs to be addressed when analyzing the root causes of transphobia, if we aspire to achieve a meaningful change for all.  

We acknowledge that EL*C still has substantial space for improvement and growth in the area of understanding and building better solidarity with trans and gender-diverse lesbians*. We agree that “unity is fragile and has to be continually produced…” (McKay, 2021) both internally as well as in how EL*C is perceived from the outside. For this reason, rather than turning a blind eye to existing tensions, we commit to: 

• Working towards an increased meaningful inclusion of trans and gender-diverse lesbians* in the organization’s membership; 
• Making a sustained effort to bring more trans and gender-diverse lesbians* to the staff and board by making the recruitment processes and board applications more intersectional and open;
• Proactively ensuring that our trans and non-binary siblings feel and, in fact, are safe and welcome in both physical and digital spaces organized and curated by EL*C;
• Not shying away from discussions on cis privilege, positionality and the effects of transmisogyny and transphobia on different segments of trans and gender diverse lesbian* communities; 
• Using those discussions as a means for growth and improvement, instead of deflection and self-defense; 
• Show up in solidarity;
• Use our communication channels to show our strong support to trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary communities by sharing knowledge, art, articles, and other resources;

Since its inception, EL*C has been striving to create a space and contribute to a community that is inclusive and encompasses the diversity of identities and experiences under the lesbian* umbrella. As stated in our internal guidance on inclusion and diversity, “the diverse lesbian and trans communities are strong allies” and while this is true in many contexts, there are continued “attempts to erase the historical legacy of mutual alliance and support’’. Many of our trans and non-binary siblings have traditionally socialized within the lesbian* communities, finding support and voice in these extended families and participating in the collective struggle against the cis-hetero-patriarchal system and capitalist oppression and indeed trans and gender-diverse persons in the EL*C board and membership represent an integral part of EL*C’s organizational identity. Diversity is inherent and natural to our communities and “efforts to exclude trans women and non-binary people from lesbian and feminist communities are ahistorical, morally wrong, and go against the founding values of those movements’’ as is eloquently put in a 2022 statement from the U.S.-based National Center for Transgender Equality.

However, the exclusionary efforts mentioned above have been gaining traction. We live in a climate where many famous public figures such as writers, politicians, self-proclaimed feminists, academics and journalists feel entitled to use their platforms to amplify the unfounded and unscientific transphobic claims simply aimed at pitting trans and non-binary people against cis women (including cis lesbians). This tendency has been seeping into some of the feminist and LGBT/QI activist circles, further undermining the safety and well-being of our trans and gender diverse siblings. 

The vitriol present in the public debate (which predominantly excludes trans and non-binary voices and their perspective) has very real consequences in form of delayed reforms or adoption of outright oppressive legislation, decreased availability of resources in the area of gender-affirming care and relevant medical and psycho-social support systems. In the United States alone at least 25 bills in state legislatures were passed in 2022 targeting trans people. Across Europe and Central Asia, trans-exclusionary groups, often situated within broader anti-gender movements, contribute to both regressive policies and the slowing down of positive social change. Between 2020-2022, UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden have refused to propose and/or pass legal gender recognition legislation based on self-determination. The pathologization of trans identities continues for instance in Kazakhstan as well as in Czechia where in 2022 a court ruled to uphold the forced sterilization requirement for legal gender recognition.  Moreover, in recent years Hungary and Kyrgyzstan removed the possibility to obtain legal gender recognition at all, while Kazakhstan in 2020 raised the age threshold for requesting gender affirming care and legal gender recognition from 18 to 21. All of this is happening in the context of publicly expressed transphobia, transmisogyny, and an infected debate against a community that already suffers from disproportionate exposure to violence, discrimination and socio-economic exclusion. This violence is too often fatal. In 2021-2022 alone, TGEU and International Trans Day of Remembrance report 327 murders of trans and gender diverse persons globally. According to a Fundamental Rights Association (FRA) survey from 2020, 46% of trans respondents in Europe reported difficulty in making ends meet, with 54% of trans women pointing to financial difficulties. An additional implication of the conditions that trans and gender diverse people find themselves in lies in the reduced average life expectancy, which, for instance, is 35 for trans people in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to RedLacTrans. 

Conservative politicians rapidly latch onto transphobic rhetoric and start questioning the ’’effects’’ of trans identities and experiences on others, while proceeding to pen repressive bills in order to boost their political agenda. Thus, it is clear that while parts of the trans-exclusionary rhetoric have its origins within segments of feminist movements, it serves the same anti-gender groups that work to ban abortion, limit access to other sexual and reproductive rights and keep gay, bi and lesbian people outside of the family rights framework. The same people who actively used to claim (and sometimes still do) to protect children from the influence of gays and lesbians, now come out against “the dangers” of the “rapid-onset” gender-diversity. Unsurprisingly, instead of protecting they cause suffering and desperation. TGEU affirms that “[m]any trans children and youth face family rejection and violence due to their trans identity, and may be thrown out of the family homes, pushed into housing insecurity or homelessness. Family and societal rejection also result in many trans young people suffering from mental health problems, anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, and thoughts of suicide. All these factors can lead to trans youth struggling in school, which can increase their chance of financial insecurity in the future.”

Under the pretext of protecting traditions, conservative forces  are policing the lives and behaviors of numerous vulnerable communities to keep them in subservient silence and poverty. These forces aim to maintain power through division. The 2021 report by the UN Independent Expert on SOGI identified that the lines between broader anti-gender and specific anti-trans narratives is becoming increasingly blurred, given that “by normalizing the false idea of a monolithic religio-cultural identity, and frequently entrenching a climate of fear within public discourse, rhetoric linked to sovereignty and patriarchal and absolutist interpretations of culture and religion are reinforced to achieve political, social and/or economic power”. 

As lesbians* we at EL*C clearly understand that denying or questioning the legitimacy of identities and experiences of our fellow trans and non-binary community members, is part of the same structures that deny the legitimacy of gender expressions of many cis lesbians. For instance, the UN Independent Expert on SOGI observes (reiterating the observation of the CEDAW Committee) that “women who do not conform to gender stereotypes, including LBT women, are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, violence and criminalization”. Both femme and butch lesbians, for example, have been historically demonized and perceived as a mimicry of heterosexuality, by the same strands of feminism, that are often situated in the modern-day trans exclusionary discourse. According to Jack Halberstam “[t]he rejection of butch as a repulsive stereotype by some lesbian feminists also had the unfortunate effect of pathologizing the only visible signifier of queer dyke desire…” at the same time as the rejection of femme gender expressions further continued to perpetuate misogyny. Both Jack Halberstam in 1998 and Finn McKay in 2021 speak about trans people and gender non-conforming lesbians having their gender expressions policed in public toilets. For many of us in the trans and lesbian communities public bathrooms have for decades symbolized and represented “a limit to [our] ability to move in the public space” (Halberstam, 1998 p.23). This type of policing has often been perpetrated more specifically in the lesbian circles towards gender non-conforming lesbians whose gender expression and/or sexual experiences and practices did not fit the accepted identity norms. 

While we as a lesbian* community have partially moved away from the narrow understanding of gender and sexuality, our trans and non-binary siblings continue to face discrimination. Their identities are being questioned and vilified both by the anti-gender movements and by parts of their own feminist and queer communities. At the EL*C we do not accept this discrimination and commit to opposing it within our organization and the spaces we occupy. 

We are committed to continuously learning and discussing the multitude of ways in which existing power structures in society affect all women and gender diverse persons. As Finn McKay puts it this “includes the intersections of racism, class oppression, homophobia, failure to accommodate illness and disability or cater to caring responsibilities…” While our trans and non-binary siblings may be primarily targeted because of their gender identities and expressions, these experiences of violence and discrimination are severely compounded when trans and non-binary individuals in question carry an extra layer of exclusion such as being black, people of color, indigenous, refugees, disabled or poor. The racial and class aspects of transphobic attacks represent a systemic issue that goes back to the colonial practices of submission and oppression. This needs to be addressed when analyzing the root causes of transphobia, if we aspire to achieve a meaningful change for all.  

We acknowledge that EL*C still has substantial space for improvement and growth in the area of understanding and building better solidarity with trans and gender-diverse lesbians*. We agree that “unity is fragile and has to be continually produced…” (McKay, 2021) both internally as well as in how EL*C is perceived from the outside. For this reason, rather than turning a blind eye to existing tensions, we commit to: 

• Working towards an increased meaningful inclusion of trans and gender-diverse lesbians* in the organization’s membership; 
• Making a sustained effort to bring more trans and gender-diverse lesbians* to the staff and board by making the recruitment processes and board applications more intersectional and open;
• Proactively ensuring that our trans and non-binary siblings feel and, in fact, are safe and welcome in both physical and digital spaces organized and curated by EL*C;
• Not shying away from discussions on cis privilege, positionality and the effects of transmisogyny and transphobia on different segments of trans and gender diverse lesbian* communities; 
• Using those discussions as a means for growth and improvement, instead of deflection and self-defense; 
• Show up in solidarity;
• Use our communication channels to show our strong support to trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary communities by sharing knowledge, art, articles, and other resources;