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EL*C at the First Ukrainian National Lesbian Conference: Standing in Solidarity, Building a Pan-European Movement
This October, from the 14th to the 18th, the EL*C team — staff and Board members alike — will travel to Kyiv to take part in a HERstoric event: The First Ukrainian National Lesbian Conference, organized by our long-time partners at Insight NGO. In Insight’s own words: “In times of war, we are witnessing a rise in conservatism and increasing
Press Release – EL*C Welcomes the New EU LGBTIQ Strategy
The European Commission today, on International Lesbian Day, unveiled its new EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, confirming its engagement for LBTIQ women and for an intersectional approach. The 2020 EU LGBTI Equality Strategy was the first European policy to specifically mention LBTIQ women. It led the way, bringing visibility to women in the community at the international level and inspiring other
EL*C PERSPECTIVES ON THE EU CIVIL SOCIETY STRATEGY
Civil society organisations (CSOs) are the backbone of democracy in Europe and Central Asia, yet they face increasing threats from political polarisation, authoritarian trends, and structural barriers. The forthcoming EU Civil Society Strategy is a crucial opportunity to strengthen protection for NGOs, particularly those serving marginalised communities and working on intersectional issues. In this paper, we outline key concerns and
Lesbians at the End of the World
On the possibilities of democracy in Europe’s civil society ruins Civil society is collapsing. While across Europe, far-right groups are rising, taking parts in governing coalitions and spreading hate against human rights defenders, in the US, Donald Trump has demolished USAID and cancelled overnight major funding for human rights worldwide. The NGO era, some say, is over. According to this
Training: From Ideas to Advocacy – Turning Visions into Strategies for Change
🗓 Date: September 18, 2025⏰ Time: 18:30–20:30 CET📍 Location: Online (Zoom)✍️ Registration deadline: September 15, 2025 About the Training How do we move from powerful ideas for social change to strategies that actually influence decision-makers? This training will guide participants through the process of translating community needs and visions into effective advocacy projects. The session will combine a clear introduction
EL*C Perspectives on the Union of Equality
Over the past three months, EL*C has been working on shaping the future of EU equality policies. The Union of Equality must deliver for all – including lesbians in all our diversity. We have gathered evidence, participated in consultation meetings, engaged with our members, compiled data, and proposed policy solutions to ensure that lesbian lives, needs, and rights are visible
EL*C ROME CONFERENCE NARRATIVE REPORT
ELC-Rome-Narrative Report1📣 It’s here! The Narrative Report of the 4th EL*C Conference in Rome is out now! 🇮🇹✨ 💥 750 attendees from 52 countries, this event brought together a crowd of voices, experiences, and activism from across Europe, Central Asia and beyond. 📖 Read, share, and keep the lesbian momentum going! #ELCRome2025 #DykesRiseAgainstFascism #SonoLesbica #ProntaATutto #LesbianVisibility
Budapest Pride Could Have Been Legal and Safe. The European Commission Chose Otherwise.
By refusing to act, the European Commission enabled the ban and left activists alone to defend fundamental rights. A joint declaration by ILGA-Europe, Forbidden Colours, Reclaim, OII Europe and EL*C In March 2025, the Hungarian parliament adopted a law explicitly banning Pride events — a direct attack on the freedom of assembly and expression. A law that clearly violates EU
Open Letter to the European Commission: The Future of EU Funding and Support for Civil Society Organisations
As a broad coalition of European civil society organisations, we have sent the following letter to President Ursula von der Leyen and several European Commissioners. In it, we express deep concerns about recent developments threatening civil society across the EU — including restrictive co-funding requirements and alarming attempts to curtail advocacy activities. At a time of shrinking resources and growing
CAMPAIGN – Lesbians Support Budapest Pride – A movement cannot be banned
1. Political Context and Purpose of the Campaign In 2022, we marched boldly through Budapest in a Dyke March, defying oppression and standing proud as lesbians, as activists, as a community. Today, as the Orbán government escalates its attack on fundamental freedoms by attempting to ban Pride altogether, we rise once again—in solidarity with our Hungarian sisters and in defence

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – EL*C & WAVE Joint Advocacy Study Visit (Brussels, 4–6 Nov 2025) – OPEN
This year, WAVE—the European network of women’s specialist services combating gender-based violence—and EL*C—the European network dedicated to LBTI women and communities—are joining forces to offer a unique training and advocacy experience. We will welcome 15 EL*C members and 12 WAVE members to join us in Brussels from 4 to 6 November 2025! This year, we will focus on strengthening our

Research: Lived Realities of Black, Racialized, Roma and Central Asian lesbians* in the EU
Published by EL*C, this report presents the findings of a groundbreaking research project on the lived experiences of Black, racialized, Roma and Central Asian lesbians in the EU (2024–2025). Its first insights were shared on a webinar in December last year and on April 25th during the Lesbian Conference in Rome. It sheds light on the intersectional experiences of LBQ
PRESS COVERAGE
The Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community – EL*C is a lesbian feminist and intersectional network. The EL*C started out of a self-organised space three years ago.
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The Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community – EL*C is a lesbian feminist and intersectional network. The EL*C started out of a self-organised space three years ago.