Such focus was needed because to build a more complete understanding of the experiences of and marginalisation faced by lesbians. More data needs to collected on lesbians experiences but existing data needs to be analysed taking into full account the lived reality of the lesbian community. The experiences of lesbians cannot be fully separated from the broader societal phenomena related to sexism and misogyny; similarly gender equality issues cannot be considered without also taking into consideration marginalisation linked with sexual orientations and gender identities that defy cis-heteronormative societal expectations and gender roles. For these reasons, an analysis more focused on intersectional discriminations and aware of broader gender inequalities was needed.
The report research uses the data collected by FRA to create a new sample group which includes everyone who selected “Lesbian” as their sexual orientation, regardless of their sex characteristics or gender identity. As such, the word “lesbian” throughout this report is used inclusively to refer to every respondent who self-identified as a lesbian, while the FRA LGBTI Survey II Report, “A Long Way to Go For LGBTI Equality” only refers to cisgender, endosex lesbians.
The report disaggregates also the data, allowing more detailed information on lesbians depending on their disabilities status, ethnic minority or migration status, age, gender identity, and sex characteristics, and permitting to draw comparisons of the lived experiences of lesbians among these groups.
Finally, the report goes one step further and provides an analysis of the data that takes into consideration broader gender inequalities and exposure to gender-based violence and discrimination experienced by women and people perceived as such in society. A gendered lens on the FRA LGBTI Survey II data reveals significant coherence with gender equality assessment and confirming the need for an intersectional feminist approach in research and data collection.
Such focus was needed because to build a more complete understanding of the experiences of and marginalisation faced by lesbians. More data needs to collected on lesbians experiences but existing data needs to be analysed taking into full account the lived reality of the lesbian community. The experiences of lesbians cannot be fully separated from the broader societal phenomena related to sexism and misogyny; similarly gender equality issues cannot be considered without also taking into consideration marginalisation linked with sexual orientations and gender identities that defy cis-heteronormative societal expectations and gender roles. For these reasons, an analysis more focused on intersectional discriminations and aware of broader gender inequalities was needed.
The report research uses the data collected by FRA to create a new sample group which includes everyone who selected “Lesbian” as their sexual orientation, regardless of their sex characteristics or gender identity. As such, the word “lesbian” throughout this report is used inclusively to refer to every respondent who self-identified as a lesbian, while the FRA LGBTI Survey II Report, “A Long Way to Go For LGBTI Equality” only refers to cisgender, endosex lesbians.
The report disaggregates also the data, allowing more detailed information on lesbians depending on their disabilities status, ethnic minority or migration status, age, gender identity, and sex characteristics, and permitting to draw comparisons of the lived experiences of lesbians among these groups.
Finally, the report goes one step further and provides an analysis of the data that takes into consideration broader gender inequalities and exposure to gender-based violence and discrimination experienced by women and people perceived as such in society. A gendered lens on the FRA LGBTI Survey II data reveals significant coherence with gender equality assessment and confirming the need for an intersectional feminist approach in research and data collection.
EL*C Safe Space Guidelines during the Conference, 2022
The 3rd International Lesbian* Conference organised by the EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community – EL*C along with local co hosts Labrisz and qLit in Budapest, Hungary in 2022 is soon kicking off. In order to ensure the safety, well-being and comfort of all the people coming to the Conference, we as the space holders and main organizers of the event, are proposing the following guidelines related to behavior and communication in the formal and informal spaces connected to the conference.
See the Safe Space Guidelines in PDF form here: 2022 EL_C Code of Conduct (1)
Conference Care Team
We have taken multiple safety precautions around the Conference and one of these measures is to have a Care Team on the ground in case of anything that needs discussing, mediating or resolving. The Care Team is there to ensure that the Conference goes smoothly for everyone and that each person has someone to turn to in case of any sign of distress. You can spot the Care Team members by their designated armbands. Assistance can be given in English, French, Spanish, German, Portugese, Ukrainian, Romanian, Georgian, Russian, Swedish and Serbian.
In case of severe breach of the following guidelines, EL*C reserves the right to take measures including (but not limited to) expelling specific participants from the Conference spaces.
What to do:
- The EL*C conference prioritizes LBTQIA+, non-binary, trans and cis women and people with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences
- Ask for people’s personal pronouns and respect them without making assumptions
- Always ask for consent before hugging and/or touching another person
- Always ask for consent before taking someone’s photo and/or publishing it online
- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative
- While communicating with others, give people you speak to the benefit of the doubt and ask to clarify the statement/opinion before making conclusions (does not apply to explicit harassment and expression of prejudice)
- Be mindful of the spaces you occupy. This is a space to (un)learn and listen. Commit to doing the work personally
- Each participant is encouraged to take active part in the discussions and share their views in a constructive manner. The conference space will be what we make of it collectively
What to avoid:
- Demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior, materials and speech
- Physical, written, verbal or other abuse, intimidation, threats, annoyance, harassment, stalking, pushing, shoving or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person
- Possession of any item that can be used as a weapon and cause danger to others if used in a certain manner
- Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person
- Any offensive behavior or language, including but not limited to using sexually explicit or offensive language, materials or conduct, as well as any language, behavior or content that contains curses, insults, obscene gestures, or racial, religious or ethnic slurs,
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language
- Possessing any open can, bottle or other holder containing any alcoholic beverages, in the conference spaces designated for plenaries, workshops or other types of working spaces pertaining to the Conference program. Please drink responsibly
- Smoking – other than in designated areas
- Use of ANY recreational drugs and similar substances is prohibited in Hungary, which is why EL*C cannot allow possession or use of said drugs at the conference venue and any other space or event curated by our organization
A special note on harassment and prejudice:
- Our conference is dedicated to providing a safe and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices
- We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties, and online media. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers
- Harassment includes: offensive comments (verbal, written, or otherwise) related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides); needless interruptions of speakers; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing materials, photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events (whether verbal or otherwise); inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention
- Unacceptable behaviors & materials include intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning materials or conduct by any attendees of the event and related event activities. Many event venues are shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations
Tools available for your safety and comfort during the conference:
- Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated whether by other attendees, media, speakers, volunteers, organizers, venue staff, sponsors, or exhibitors
- Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the conference without warning or refund
- The organizers will be available to help participants resolve the situations, as well as contact venue security or local law enforcement if there is such a need, to provide escorts, or to otherwise assist those experiencing unacceptable behavior to feel safe for the duration of the conference. You can report unacceptable behavior to designated Care Team consisting of EL*C Board Members and which includes dedicated safety/security focal points. All care team members will be wearing an arm band in addition to the conference t-shirt
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert conference organizers if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress
- If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff can be identified as they’ll be wearing branded clothing and/or badges
- If you are subjected to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subjected to unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a conference organizer as soon as possible. All reports will remain completely confidential
EL*C Safe Space Guidelines during the Conference, 2022
The 3rd International Lesbian* Conference organised by the EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community – EL*C along with local co hosts Labrisz and qLit in Budapest, Hungary in 2022 is soon kicking off. In order to ensure the safety, well-being and comfort of all the people coming to the Conference, we as the space holders and main organizers of the event, are proposing the following guidelines related to behavior and communication in the formal and informal spaces connected to the conference.
See the Safe Space Guidelines in PDF form here: 2022 EL_C Code of Conduct (1)
Conference Care Team
We have taken multiple safety precautions around the Conference and one of these measures is to have a Care Team on the ground in case of anything that needs discussing, mediating or resolving. The Care Team is there to ensure that the Conference goes smoothly for everyone and that each person has someone to turn to in case of any sign of distress. You can spot the Care Team members by their designated armbands. Assistance can be given in English, French, Spanish, German, Portugese, Ukrainian, Romanian, Georgian, Russian, Swedish and Serbian.
In case of severe breach of the following guidelines, EL*C reserves the right to take measures including (but not limited to) expelling specific participants from the Conference spaces.
What to do:
- The EL*C conference prioritizes LBTQIA+, non-binary, trans and cis women and people with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences
- Ask for people’s personal pronouns and respect them without making assumptions
- Always ask for consent before hugging and/or touching another person
- Always ask for consent before taking someone’s photo and/or publishing it online
- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative
- While communicating with others, give people you speak to the benefit of the doubt and ask to clarify the statement/opinion before making conclusions (does not apply to explicit harassment and expression of prejudice)
- Be mindful of the spaces you occupy. This is a space to (un)learn and listen. Commit to doing the work personally
- Each participant is encouraged to take active part in the discussions and share their views in a constructive manner. The conference space will be what we make of it collectively
What to avoid:
- Demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior, materials and speech
- Physical, written, verbal or other abuse, intimidation, threats, annoyance, harassment, stalking, pushing, shoving or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person
- Possession of any item that can be used as a weapon and cause danger to others if used in a certain manner
- Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person
- Any offensive behavior or language, including but not limited to using sexually explicit or offensive language, materials or conduct, as well as any language, behavior or content that contains curses, insults, obscene gestures, or racial, religious or ethnic slurs,
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language
- Possessing any open can, bottle or other holder containing any alcoholic beverages, in the conference spaces designated for plenaries, workshops or other types of working spaces pertaining to the Conference program. Please drink responsibly
- Smoking – other than in designated areas
- Use of ANY recreational drugs and similar substances is prohibited in Hungary, which is why EL*C cannot allow possession or use of said drugs at the conference venue and any other space or event curated by our organization
A special note on harassment and prejudice:
- Our conference is dedicated to providing a safe and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices
- We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties, and online media. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers
- Harassment includes: offensive comments (verbal, written, or otherwise) related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides); needless interruptions of speakers; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing materials, photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events (whether verbal or otherwise); inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention
- Unacceptable behaviors & materials include intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning materials or conduct by any attendees of the event and related event activities. Many event venues are shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations
Tools available for your safety and comfort during the conference:
- Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated whether by other attendees, media, speakers, volunteers, organizers, venue staff, sponsors, or exhibitors
- Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the conference without warning or refund
- The organizers will be available to help participants resolve the situations, as well as contact venue security or local law enforcement if there is such a need, to provide escorts, or to otherwise assist those experiencing unacceptable behavior to feel safe for the duration of the conference. You can report unacceptable behavior to designated Care Team consisting of EL*C Board Members and which includes dedicated safety/security focal points. All care team members will be wearing an arm band in addition to the conference t-shirt
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert conference organizers if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress
- If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff can be identified as they’ll be wearing branded clothing and/or badges
- If you are subjected to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subjected to unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a conference organizer as soon as possible. All reports will remain completely confidential
We, the Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community and TGEU, declare the trans and lesbian movements of Europe, Central Asia and the world united in solidarity.
As movements we strive to create safe spaces for us and, for this reason, between the 29 September and 1 October, TGEU has organised the European and Central Asia Trans Council in Berlin and EL*C the third European Lesbian* Conference in Budapest.
We call on our trans and non-binary siblings, dykes, lesbians, sisters and kin to join us in Budapest and Berlin and be our accomplices in celebrating the power and value of our communities, bringing our needs and demands to the attention of society and policymakers, and destroying heteronormativity, binarism and patriarchal oppressions.
The current challenging times exacerbate the oppressions that lesbian and trans communities have to face, while attacks multiply against trans and lesbian rights and lives. The anti-gender movement would have the world believe that the trans and lesbian communities are in opposition to each other, but we know this couldn’t be further from the truth. We are united by our struggles, by our hopes, by our joint his/her/their-story, and shared communities: we have lovers, friends, families in both communities, some lesbians are trans people and some trans people are lesbians.
We are fighting for self-determination and bodily autonomy, to dismantle social expectations around gender roles and gender expression. We are struggling together to challenge a socio-political system that is afraid of us, because we attack it at its core.
Our mutual solidarity is not new. We were together during the Stonewall riots, where Marsha, Stormé, Sylvia and many other trans, butch, lesbians, non-binary people, dykes threw the first stones and ignited the LGBT movement. We were together in building the reflections that developed trans-feminist and lesbo-feminist theories and practices. We are together now against the backlash, against those that strive to erase our identities and existences. We march together where pride and feminist demonstrations are banned or attacked, at Europride in Belgrade, in Turkey, Georgia or Kazhakstan.
We recognise that those of us affected by additional axes of oppression such as racism, ableism, whorephobia, xenophobia, among others, end up at the forefront of violence and abuses, and we strive to raise up our further marginalised communities.
We come together to build a movement that is more transfeminine, more lesbian, more transmasculine, more queer, more decolonising, and more intersectional. Together we write the story of this movement as we want to write it, not as the far-right wants to portray it. Together we are stronger.
CALL FOR LESBIAN VOLUNTEERS –> Apply by 15 Sept!
EL*C #3: LESBIAN RESISTANCE(BUDAPEST, 29 Sept –1 Oct 2022)
The EL*C, Labrisz and qLit look forward to welcoming you at the EL*C international lesbian conference 2022 taking place in Budapest (Hungary) between 29 September – 1 October 2022. For edition #3, the theme is “LESBIAN RESISTANCE: one lesbian is a blessing, hundreds coming together are a revolution!” and we cannot wait to gather and share, learn and solidarize with hundreds of lesbians.
Today we are glad to share our open call for lesbian volunteers! We are looking for eager and motivated individuals to help us organize an outstanding third edition of our international lesbian conference.
Basic information & criteria for being a volunteer:
- EL*C, Labrisz and qLit are feminist, intersectional and trans-inclusive organizations, we expect all volunteers to adhere to be like minded.
- The conference’s predominant language is English; therefore, knowledge of English is a strong plus!
- Familiarity with Budapest (transportation, venues) is useful to help inform foreign participants.
- Availability to volunteer at least one full day.
What type of support is needed:
For the Welcome reception (28 Sept)
Tasks:
- Space set up (banners, art installations, chairs)
- Welcome & early registration & Info point
- Support with social media
For the Conference (29 Sept – 1 Oct)
Tasks:
- Space set up (banners, art installations, chairs, room names)
- Welcome & registration & Info point
- Merchandise sale
- Note taking (plenaries & workshops)
- Support during coffee and lunch breaks
- Support with social media
For the Dyke March (1 Oct)
Tasks:
- Set up
- Security
- Banner making
- Sound / DJ
- Support with social media
- Hungarian lawyers (to note any illegal activity during the march)
For the Lesbian Party at Akvarium Klub (1 Oct)
Tasks:
- Set up
- Welcome & ticket collector
In exchange for your support, we offer:
- Free access to the conference
- A free ticket to the lesbian party at Akvarium Klub on 1 Oct
Besides, volunteering at the conference is a unique chance to meet extraordinary lesbian activists from across Europe and Central Asia!
Interested in becoming a volunteer for EL*C #3? Apply by 15 Sept!
CALL FOR LESBIAN VOLUNTEERS –> Apply by 15 Sept!
EL*C #3: LESBIAN RESISTANCE(BUDAPEST, 29 Sept –1 Oct 2022)
The EL*C, Labrisz and qLit look forward to welcoming you at the EL*C international lesbian conference 2022 taking place in Budapest (Hungary) between 29 September – 1 October 2022. For edition #3, the theme is “LESBIAN RESISTANCE: one lesbian is a blessing, hundreds coming together are a revolution!” and we cannot wait to gather and share, learn and solidarize with hundreds of lesbians.
Today we are glad to share our open call for lesbian volunteers! We are looking for eager and motivated individuals to help us organize an outstanding third edition of our international lesbian conference.
Basic information & criteria for being a volunteer:
- EL*C, Labrisz and qLit are feminist, intersectional and trans-inclusive organizations, we expect all volunteers to adhere to be like minded.
- The conference’s predominant language is English; therefore, knowledge of English is a strong plus!
- Familiarity with Budapest (transportation, venues) is useful to help inform foreign participants.
- Availability to volunteer at least one full day.
What type of support is needed:
For the Welcome reception (28 Sept)
Tasks:
- Space set up (banners, art installations, chairs)
- Welcome & early registration & Info point
- Support with social media
For the Conference (29 Sept – 1 Oct)
Tasks:
- Space set up (banners, art installations, chairs, room names)
- Welcome & registration & Info point
- Merchandise sale
- Note taking (plenaries & workshops)
- Support during coffee and lunch breaks
- Support with social media
For the Dyke March (1 Oct)
Tasks:
- Set up
- Security
- Banner making
- Sound / DJ
- Support with social media
- Hungarian lawyers (to note any illegal activity during the march)
For the Lesbian Party at Akvarium Klub (1 Oct)
Tasks:
- Set up
- Welcome & ticket collector
In exchange for your support, we offer:
- Free access to the conference
- A free ticket to the lesbian party at Akvarium Klub on 1 Oct
Besides, volunteering at the conference is a unique chance to meet extraordinary lesbian activists from across Europe and Central Asia!
Interested in becoming a volunteer for EL*C #3? Apply by 15 Sept!
EL*C is launching a call for tender to recruit a consultant (or a company) to build its new website.
The time has come to restructure our web page. We started in a totally DIY and independent way with a simple WordPress template and now we need a better organised website, clear and leasable for a bigger audience with additional functionalities.
Needs for the EL*C new website ⤵️
#Visual Identity:
– Logo, colors, fonts, documents layout, business cards, etc..
#Showcase EL*C:
– Info sharing: upcoming events, news
– Membership:
– About: Presentation of the organisation
– Who we are: Staff, board, NGO members, Milestones
– Showcase EL*C projects: Advocacy reports, Lesbophobia Observatory, Lesbian Chamber of commerce, Regranting, Lesbian archives (EL*C and ILIS as eg.), and the future ones..
– Donations
#Archive of the EL*C work:
– Archive of all the previous informations from the website used up until now
– Archive of the 2 conferences: sessions, speakers, program, visuals, etc..
#Membership management:
– fees collection and invoices,
– database for membership management: mailing lists following different criteria
#Intranet:
– A login only part for members (membership processing, votes, General Assembly, membership fee processing)
– Resource platform with reports, capacity building materials (podcasts, videos)
In order to apply please submit via email at info@lesbiangenius.org the following documents ⤵️
➢ CV detailing past and current professional experience;
➢ The technical proposal by filling the template provided below;
➢ The Provider, shall also send a quote (Pro Forma invoice), including:
> the Service Provider’s name and address;
> its VAT number;
> the full list of services;
> the fee per type of deliverables (in EUR, tax exclusive);
> the total amount per type of deliverables (in EUR, tax exclusive);
> the total amount, tax exclusive, the applicable VAT rate, the amount of VAT and the amount VAT inclusive
> the bugdet should include all costs related to this consultancy, including for example travel costs.
All documents shall be submitted in English, failure to do so will result in the exclusion of the tender. If any of the documents listed above are missing, EL*C reserve the right to reject the tender.
DOWNLOAD THE CALL FOR TENDER HERE – Call for tenders
DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE FOR THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL HERE – Technical Proposal Template
Deadline: All documents should be submitted via e-mail to the following email address: info@lesbiangenius.org by 15 August 2022
EL*C is launching a call for tender to recruit a consultant (or a company) to build its new website.
The time has come to restructure our web page. We started in a totally DIY and independent way with a simple WordPress template and now we need a better organised website, clear and leasable for a bigger audience with additional functionalities.
Needs for the EL*C new website ⤵️
#Visual Identity:
– Logo, colors, fonts, documents layout, business cards, etc..
#Showcase EL*C:
– Info sharing: upcoming events, news
– Membership:
– About: Presentation of the organisation
– Who we are: Staff, board, NGO members, Milestones
– Showcase EL*C projects: Advocacy reports, Lesbophobia Observatory, Lesbian Chamber of commerce, Regranting, Lesbian archives (EL*C and ILIS as eg.), and the future ones..
– Donations
#Archive of the EL*C work:
– Archive of all the previous informations from the website used up until now
– Archive of the 2 conferences: sessions, speakers, program, visuals, etc..
#Membership management:
– fees collection and invoices,
– database for membership management: mailing lists following different criteria
#Intranet:
– A login only part for members (membership processing, votes, General Assembly, membership fee processing)
– Resource platform with reports, capacity building materials (podcasts, videos)
In order to apply please submit via email at info@lesbiangenius.org the following documents ⤵️
➢ CV detailing past and current professional experience;
➢ The technical proposal by filling the template provided below;
➢ The Provider, shall also send a quote (Pro Forma invoice), including:
> the Service Provider’s name and address;
> its VAT number;
> the full list of services;
> the fee per type of deliverables (in EUR, tax exclusive);
> the total amount per type of deliverables (in EUR, tax exclusive);
> the total amount, tax exclusive, the applicable VAT rate, the amount of VAT and the amount VAT inclusive
> the bugdet should include all costs related to this consultancy, including for example travel costs.
All documents shall be submitted in English, failure to do so will result in the exclusion of the tender. If any of the documents listed above are missing, EL*C reserve the right to reject the tender.
DOWNLOAD THE CALL FOR TENDER HERE – Call for tenders
DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE FOR THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL HERE – Technical Proposal Template
Deadline: All documents should be submitted via e-mail to the following email address: info@lesbiangenius.org by 15 August 2022
REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE, SCHOLARSHIPS AND WORKSHOPS -> HERE
Conference Venue (29 Sept – 1 Oct) :
Central European University (Budapest Campus, Nador utca 15)
Conference Hotel :
Hotel Danubius Hungaria (for EL*C scholars)
Other hotel suggestions :
Getting from the airport to the city center :
Airport shuttle bus 100E is in operation between Liszt Ferenc International Airport and Deák Ferenc tér, one of Budapest’s major transport hubs, running via Kálvin tér, another important location in the city. Operating every day of the week:
– with departures from Deák Ferenc tér in the city between 3:30 and 00:25 and from the airport between 4:10 and 1:05 past midnight
– the bus line with an average service frequency of 15-30 minutes on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, and 20-30 minutes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays provides a convenient, cost-efficient and fast connection between the airport and the city centre.
