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About the term “lesbian”:
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 will therefore use “lesbian*” with an asterisk, so as to include anyone who identifies as lesbian, feminist, bi or queer, and all those who feel connected to lesbian* activism.
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The challenges and needs of lesbians* are largely underrepresented. The lesbian* community in Europe is very diverse, depending on the society they live in and must adapt to. But there are common sticking points which prevent progress for lesbians*.
By creating a safe space where lesbians* will be able to express themselves without fear of being ignored or discriminated against, by supporting diversity and intersectionality in all spheres of communication, by promoting friendly non-violent communication, and a non-hierarchical approach and affirmative actions for those who don’t have any access to resources, the conference will: Discuss specific needs and challenges of lesbians* within community and society; Exchange knowledge and experience between lesbians* across Europe and provide space for networking and alliances; Expand all kind of visibilities of lesbians* throughout Europe; Empower all underrepresented groups of the lesbian* community; Set a long-term dynamic and agenda for lesbians* to strengthen their position as a group and as individuals in European societies; Contribute to general social changes in Europe by sharing the feminist situated lesbian experience.
This conference is the first in of a series of annual conferences that aim to expand networks, share knowledge and experience, and boost the visibility of lesbians* in our societies.
The challenges and needs of lesbians* are largely underrepresented. The lesbian* community in Europe is very diverse, depending on the society they live in and must adapt to. But there are common sticking points which prevent progress for lesbians*.
By creating a safe space where lesbians* will be able to express themselves without fear of being ignored or discriminated against, by supporting diversity and intersectionality in all spheres of communication, by promoting friendly non-violent communication, and a non-hierarchical approach and affirmative actions for those who don’t have any access to resources, the conference will: Discuss specific needs and challenges of lesbians* within community and society; Exchange knowledge and experience between lesbians* across Europe and provide space for networking and alliances; Expand all kind of visibilities of lesbians* throughout Europe; Empower all underrepresented groups of the lesbian* community; Set a long-term dynamic and agenda for lesbians* to strengthen their position as a group and as individuals in European societies; Contribute to general social changes in Europe by sharing the feminist situated lesbian experience.
This conference is the first in of a series of annual conferences that aim to expand networks, share knowledge and experience, and boost the visibility of lesbians* in our societies.
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.
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.
DO YOU WANT TO PROPOSE A WORKSHOP, PANEL DISCUSSION OR EXHIBITION FOR THE EUROPEAN LESBIAN* CONFERENCE?
Download (coming soon) and fill out our form, and send it to us via email by 30th March 2017 at the latest.
DO YOU WANT TO PROPOSE A WORKSHOP, PANEL DISCUSSION OR EXHIBITION FOR THE EUROPEAN LESBIAN* CONFERENCE?
Download (coming soon) and fill out our form, and send it to us via email by 30th March 2017 at the latest.