Disclaimer: EL*C uses the term “lesbian” as a broad inclusive term, that includes all lesbian, bisexual and queer women (both cisgender and trans) and non-binary and intersex persons who feel connected to the lesbian identity and lesbian activism. This includes all LBTI women and non binary persons that identify or are perceived as lesbians, bisexual and queer women.     

The “ Resourcing Lesbian Movements” grant-making program, funded by EL*C in collaboration with the EU, is set to make a significant impact on human rights across Europe. This initiative aims to resource 31 lesbian projects through financial support. These grants directly address the chronic underfunding and lack of resources that have historically hindered the lesbian movement.   

By enhancing lesbian visibility, promoting intersectional inclusion, and enriching cultural diversity, each grant empowers LBTIQ+ organizations to bolster lesbian activists and movements in their national context, thereby promoting and protecting human rights throughout the region.     

This article spotlights five projects committed to developing diverse and cohesive lesbian communities nationally and internationally. These organisations – based in France, Finland, Germany and Italy – work to create lesbian communities that focus on LBTIQ+ refugees, elders, and those who live outside urban centres. With EL*C’s grant, they are expanding their capacity to create inclusive, intersectional and intergenerational lesbian communities. Through their efforts, the lesbian movement is contributing to Europe’s overall capacity to create societies rooted in equality, dignity and protection for all. 

1. Front d’Habitat Lesbien (FHL), France 

In the wake of the pandemic, Front d’Habitat Lesbien (FHL) formed as a platform of solidarity, support and community for lesbian refugees and asylum seekers in Paris. They offer a range of integral services, foundationally in the form of housing and accommodation for those who find themselves in precarious situations as they seek asylum in France. FHL also offers practical support to community members by connecting them to mental and physical health services, trainings and education programs, providing support with legal procedures, and creating events to address social exclusion. FHL also collaborate with the authorities and other NGO actors, to support LBTIQ+ women and intervene in cases of discrimination in accommodation or employment.  

Through EL*C’s grant support, FHL’s social worker has provided critical assistance to undocumented or asylum-seeking lesbians, facilitating their navigation of the French legal system. One now has a full-time job and is looking for housing, another is preparing to move to her new home, while another was successfully supported with her asylum claim and now awaits her documents for international protection. All are starting to root into French society, finding dignity, freedom and autonomy as a direct result of the designated and specified support of Front d’Habitat Lesbien.  

2. Mummolaakso, Finland

Since its foundation in 1994, Mummolaakso (Granny Valley), has sought to improve the quality of life for lesbian elders in Helsinki, and throughout Finland. The organization’s name is a nod to Muumilaakso (Moominvalley), the fantastical land created by Finnish author and lesbian literary legend, Tove Jansson. Through a teeming programme of events, dances, cultural trips, recreation, discussions, and reading circles amongst others, Mummolaakso has dedicated the last 30 years to cultivating places of social interaction and inclusion for older lesbians, while simultaneously promoting intergenerational integration with younger LBTIQ+ women and non-binary people.  

As a small volunteer-run organization, EL*C’s grant enabled Mummolaakso to gain new momentum and visibility. Most notably they were able to target budget resources to travelling and locating LBTIQ+ women in more rural areas, and therefore to forge community connections with lesbian elders living farther away from Helsinki.  

The grant has expanded their capacity to collaborate across generations, deepening lesbian-focused discussion about age issues, generational differences and community opportunities in general. They have also held training events to better prepare the community for age-related planning. Mummolaakso has witnessed first-hand how improving their awareness of diverse generational experiences brings greater depth and perspective to their community. By providing a solid foundation that supports and uplifts the mental, physical, psychological, and social well-being of elders – the whole society benefits. 

3. LesbenRing, Germany  

Formed on International Women’s Day in 1982, LesbenRing e.V. represents the interests of lesbians in politics and society, while upholding a deep commitment to promoting mutual respect, non-violence and democracy for all in Germany.  

The Berlin-based organisation work tirelessly for complete legal and social equality for lesbians: in family law, adoption law, descent law, refugee law, in the fight against lesbophobia and violence against lesbians. 

EL*C’s grant has made 2024 a productive year for LesbenRing, notably in their organizational structures and visibility amongst the LGBTIQ+ community in Germany. Internally, the grant has enabled them to work with a strategy coach to better refine roles, responsibilities, financial forecasts and short- and long-term goals. This has givening their volunteer-led managing board a deeper and necessary level of professionalism.  

In terms of visibility, the grant also enabled LesbenRing to hire a social media consultant, to expand their reach internationally and intergenerationally. Alongside a professional event organizer hired to increase their presence at Dyke Marches, this is part of a wider project to integrate, mobilize and create community alongside other vital LBTIQ+ organisations across the country.  

4. Frauenliebe im Pott (FLiP), Germany  

International collaboration is a focal point of community organising in the lesbian movement, and FLiP, Frauenliebe im Pott, e.V., a German NGO have been fostering partnerships with grassroots lesbian groups in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia since 2018, and Labrisz in Hungary earlier this year.  

Active since 1992, with eighty members currently, FLiP are concerned with the social inclusion and political engagement of LBTIQ+ women and non-binary people. Through a range of activities – discussion groups, parties, cooking, sporting events – they focus on building robust, expansive and supportive connections between lesbians in Germany and notably, expanding this interconnectedness internationally.   

With EL*C’s grant, four core members of FLiP travelled to Bostwana and Namibia in the summer, where they held partnership meetings with the Black Queer DocX (Botswana) and Women’s Leadership Centre and Y-FEM Young Feminists (Namibia). Together they strengthened their existing network and discussed new ideas for collaboration in political activism and lobbying strategies. FLiP will continue to facilitate face-to-face meetings where possible, and regular Zoom calls to continue to develop this mutual, cross-cultural and cross-continental exchange. A further function of EL*C’s grant is in documenting and communicating FLiP’s achievements over the past several years, thereby increasing their visibility and impact. 

5. Associazione Lesbian Femminista (ALFI Nazionale), Italy  

Founded in Naples, ALFI works to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for LBTIQ+ women and non-binary people in all sectors of Italian society, and all regions of the country.  Since their formation in 2017, they’ve focused on building community across social, economic and geographic distances, and they’ve also been key proponents of collaboration across the wider LGBTQ+ movement in Italy, notably in light of the current government’s targeting of lesbian families and queer identities.   

EL*C’s grant has expanded ALFI’s online and in-person community-building programme, ‘V.O.I.C.E. : Visibility, Opportunity, Integration, Connection, Empowerment.’ Firstly, by expanding their communications campaign, then by travelling and connecting with lesbians living outside major cities, thereby addressing and helping to reduce their isolation and ostracization. They’re also actively utilising digital spaces, and have developed a Listening Line and Forum, which provides an invaluable space of solace, connection and support to lesbians throughout the country.  

In the process of creating thriving community networks of LBTIQ+ women and non-binary people, each of these NGO’s has used EL*C’s grant to ensure they focus on the inclusion of marginalised and vulnerable groups within the lesbian* movement, namely greying populations, refugees and asylum seekers, and those who live outside of city-hubs. These five organisations have therefore improved their diversity and intersectionality, which has heightened their capacity to protect and promote LGBTIQ+ rights within their own national contexts. This more expansive understanding of the lesbian* community has enabled them to successfully create European collaborations and, as is the case with FLiP, create international collaborations too. The grant has therefore allowed them to spread awareness of European values concerning the rights of LGBTIQ+ people both within, and beyond, the continent.