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

EL*C publishes today the report “Lesbianising the Istanbul Convention: Research on the Implementation of the Convention to Protect LBT Women”. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of lesbian experiences within the legal frameworks and policies created by the Istanbul Convention, the main European convention focusing on violence against women.

In collaboration with legal experts from the University of Valencia and the University of Venice, we took a feminist approach to highlight the gendered aspect of violence against lesbians and advocate for their inclusion in policy discussions concerning violence against women and gender-based violence. Our analysis “lesbianises” the Istanbul Convention to reflect the realities of lesbian, bisexual, and trans women.

We assess the implementation of the Convention’s anti-discrimination clause across 28 countries, drawing insights from expert focus groups and civil society practices. In a political climate where feminist and LGBTI initiatives face constant attacks and backlash, we emphasize the importance of collaboration, sisterhood and allianceship with feminist NGOs and groups.

Our report does not create hierarchies of oppression but seeks to initiate a dialogue while providing an interpretative framework and recommendations to stakeholders who wish to have an inclusive approach in the fight against gender-based violence.

Disclaimer: A previous version of this report included references to intersex women, after consultation with OII Europe, we decided to remove such references, as well as references to sex characteristics. References to intersex women and “LBTI” included in GREVIO reports and other’s research have been maintained. Thanks to the expertise and knowledge that was generously shared with us, we consider that inclusion of intersex persons within the legal framework of the Convention of Istanbul is worth of a deeper discussion then what was possible within the limited time and resources that were available for this research. This is linked in particular with the limited data available concerning intersex persons lived experiences. EL*C hope to build upon this reflection and step up our collaboration with the intersex community in the future. We also deeply regret the lack of data concerning specifically intersex people and we encourage universities, research institutes and governments to do more.

Original title: Έλα να σου πω: Φεμινιστικές, λεσβιακές και κουήρ αφηγήσεις της μεταπολίτευσης

Resource type: Book

Topics: Art, Discrimination, Education, Feminism, Gender, History, Human Rights, Visibility.

Publishing year: 2021

Language: Greek

Country: Greece

Publisher: FAC (Feminist Autonomous Center)

Download: Έλα-Να-Σου-Πω-ebook

Original title:Guía de asesoramiento, información, y empoderamiento para entidades y profesionales sobre la salud integral en la mujer diversa

Resource type: Guide

Topics:Access to Healthcare, Advocacy, Capacity Building, Discrimination, Education, Gender, Identity, Intersex Lesbians, Lesbophobia, Services, Social Services, Trans Lesbians, Wellbeing

Publishing year: 2021

Language: Spanish

Country: Spain

Publisher: Fundacion26

Download: Guia-profesionales_-Mujeres-Diversas

Original title: Survival Strategies of Homosexual and Bisexual Women and Transgender Persons in the North Caucasus

Resource type: Report

Topics: Access to Justice, Advocacy, Bisexual, Communication, Discrimination, Gender, Human Rights, Law, Lesbophobia, Migration, Psychology, Security, Trans, Transphobia, Violence, Visibility

Publishing year: 2020

Language: English

Country: Russia

Publisher: Queer Women of North Caucasus

Download: Survival Strategies of Homosexual and Bisexual Women and Transgender Persons in the North Caucasus

Original title:Sexual Wellbeing and Intimate Relationships for Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Women

Resource type: Guide

Topics:Access to Healthcare, Advocacy, Communication, Education, Identity, Sexual Education, Trans, Wellbeing.

Publishing year: N/A

Language: English

Country: Ireland

Publisher: LINC

Download: Sexual Wellbeing and Intimate Relationships for Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Women

Original title: Positionpapier Für ein soziales Europa der Vielfalt, Solidarität und Selbstbestimmung

Resource type: Position Paper

Topics: Advocacy, Discrimination, EU, Gender, Policy, Politics, Social Protection, Violence.

Publishing year: 2019

Language: German

Country: Germany

Publisher: Lesben und Alter

Download: Positionspapier-EU-WAHL_RZ_digi

Original title:Communication entre professionnel-le-s de santé et les femmes qui ont des rapports sexuels avec des femmes sur les thèmes de l’intimité