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Topic: LGBTIQ+ Rights

  • Türkiye must end the coordinated crackdown on LGBTI+ civil society!

    Türkiye must end the coordinated crackdown on LGBTI+ civil society!

    We, the undersigned organisations, condemn the large-scale police raids and detentions targeting LGBTI activists and human rights defenders, organisations and community spaces across Türkiye. We call for the immediate protection and release of those detained, and respect for their procedural rights. We also call for an end to any measures obstructing the fundamental rights to freedom of association and assembly and for the respect of human rights principles and the rule of law in Türkiye. 

    According to information from LGBTI organisations as well as international media reports, the police raided homes and association offices during the night of Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September.) At least 162 people were detained, including approximately 50-60 LGBTI human rights defenders and activists, and are being held in police custody, with the number reportedly increasing. Reported accusations include “obscenity”, “prostitution”, and morality-related offences. Clubs were also raided, with additional people detained, including sex workers.

    The operation primarily targeted members of the boards of directors and auditors of LGBTI+ associations — the legally required governing and oversight bodies through which associations operate. Members of these bodies from Kaos GL and Pembe Hayat in Ankara; Muamma and 7 Renk in Mersin; and SPoD, Hevi, Lambda, LİSTAG, Pozitif Yaşam and Pozitif-iz in Istanbul have reportedly been detained.

    The raids followed only hours after a 12 September court order blocking the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI+ organisations. The scale, timing and selection of targets indicate a coordinated attack on organised LGBTI+ civil society in Türkiye.

    Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that 162 people, nine associations and 13 businesses are being targeted in an operation titled “My Family is Safe”, and stated that this was an investigation into associations which, in his words, “promote LGBT and immorality”. He also announced scrutiny by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) of funding received from public institutions and organisations abroad.

    The raids mark an escalation of a concerted attack on LGBTI activism and community support that had been going on for years in Türkiye, including restrictions and detentions at Pride, censorship of LGBTI content, pressure on organisations, and political narratives portraying LGBTI people as threats to children, families and public morality. However, the combination of morality-based allegations, raids, detention of governing body members, digital censorship, equipment seizures and scrutiny of foreign funding are taking the attack to a new level, as they violate the fundamental right to freedom of association and point to a much broader attempt to attack  civil society organisations in Türkiye.

    The seizure of digital equipment is particularly concerning. LGBTI organisations hold highly sensitive information concerning activists, beneficiaries, people living with HIV, survivors of violence and discrimination, lawyers, journalists, donors and other human rights defenders. Its confidentiality and integrity must be protected, and seized information must not be used to identify, profile or target additional people.

     International funding and cooperation are essential to independent civil society and are not evidence of criminal activity. Financial oversight must not be instrumentalised to stigmatise organisations because of the communities they represent or the rights they defend.

    We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately:

    • Unconditionally release all persons detained for their human rights work and for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association or peaceful organising; 
    • Guarantee the safety, dignity and procedural rights of everyone detained, and provide clear, individualised legal grounds for every detention, search and seizure and ensure effective judicial review;
    • Guarantee immediate and confidential access to lawyers;
    • Protect seized digital information and prevent the misuse of confidential data;
    • Lift disproportionate restrictions on the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI organisations;
    • Ensure that financial investigations do not criminalise legitimate international cooperation or foreign funding;
    • End the use of “family protection”, “morality” and similar narratives to justify discriminatory restrictions; and
    • Guarantee that LGBTI organisations can operate, communicate and receive funding without intimidation or discriminatory interference.

    We urgently call on the European Union, Council of Europe, United Nations, OSCE/ODIHR, diplomatic missions in Türkiye, international human rights organisations, donors, and partner organisations to act.

    EU institutions, the Council of Europe and UN bodies should condemn the raids and detentions directly with the Turkish authorities, pushing for safeguards against further reprisals, and call for the respect of human rights defenders and the right to freedom of association publicly and in any political dialogue with Türkiye. 

    The EU and European governments should urgently raise these cases with the Turkish authorities; monitor the detention and judicial proceedings, including through diplomatic presence at hearings; and activate available protection, legal and emergency support for those affected. European public funders must stand by their civil society partners, maintain funding and reject attempts to criminalise international support for human rights work.

    It is crucial in all communications that these developments are named for what they are: matters of rule of law, democracy, freedom of association, freedom of expression, protection of human rights defenders and shrinking civic space.

    We call on LGBTI organisations and allies across Europe and Central Asia to amplify the calls of the Turkish movement, press their own governments and European institutions to act, and mobilise practical support where requested. Solidarity now needs to translate into political pressure and concrete support, while following the guidance and security needs of those directly affected.

    We call on international human rights organisations to activate urgent action and protection mechanisms, monitor the detention and judicial processes, and bring their legal, advocacy and protection capacity behind the organisations and defenders targeted. This must be treated as a wider attack on freedom of association, expression and human rights defence, not as an isolated LGBTI issue.

    We stand in full solidarity with all those detained, and everyone affected.

    Human rights work is not a crime, and we will never stand aside in the fight for democracy and democratic values!

    We call on our members, partners and the wider European and international human rights movement to react publicly, contact relevant institutions and diplomatic missions, and amplify information from LGBTI organisations in Türkiye.

    Silence in the face of this escalation will only create space for further aggressive repression.

    ERA – Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Türkiye

    Front Line Defenders

    ILGA-Europe – the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association

    TGEU — Trans Europe and Central Asia 

    EuroMed Rights

    ILGA World

    EL*C – Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community

    Araminta

    International Planned Parenthood Federation – European Network (IPPF EN)

    Tuzlanski Otvoreni Centar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Association DIH – Equal Under the Rainbow, Slovenia 

    Gender Stream, Ukraine

    Prisme, Belgium

    Labris – Lesbian Human Rights Organization, Serbia

    Çavaria, Belgium

    Belong To – LGBTQ Youth Ireland

    Zagreb Pride, Croatia

    GENDERDOC-M Information Centre, Moldova

    Ljubljana Pride Association, Slovenia

    L*-Communio, Serbia 

    Háttér Society, Hungary

    Lithuanian National LGBT organization LGL

    Associazione Radicale Certi Diritti, Italy

    IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation

    HOSI Linz, Austria

    linzpride, Austria

    Rainbow Nation Brussels, Belgium

    Intersex Iceland

    Seta LGBTIQ+ Rights, Finland

    Humanists International

    PINK Embassy Albania

    Hirschfeld Eddy Foundation, Germany 

    LSVD+ – Federation Queer Diversity, Germany

    Accept Association, Romania

    COC Limburg, the Netherlands

    Spanish LGTBI+ Federation (FELGTBI+)

    [H] BRAȘOV Association, Romania

    All Out

    Alliance Against Discrimination Of LGBTI+ People, Albania

    Association Spectra

    Trans Network Balkan

    Coalition MARGINS Skopje 

    Rainbow Ignite, Serbia

    Queer Montenegro

    Regnbågsfonden, Sweden

    Foundation Wings of Hope, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)

    LGBT Ireland

    LGBTI organization Deystvie, Bulgaria 

    Qun Jelesi, Kyrgyzstan

    The Central Asian Queer Council (CAQRQ), Central Asia

    Protection International

    Equality Movement, Georgia

    Article 19

    RFSL, Sweden

    Gaynet – Formazione e Comunicazione, Italy

    World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

    International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

    European Pride Business Network

    EDGE, Italy

    Skopje Pride

    LGBTI Support Center – Helsinki Committeee for Human Rights (North Macedonia)

    Bundesverband Trans*

    Agedo nazionale O.d.V. Italia, Italy

    Committee for the Respect of Liberties and Human Rights (CRLDH), Tunisia

    New Woman Foundation, Egypt

    PRO Queer – the PRO Network for Sexual and Gender Diversity, the Netherlands

  • Open Call for Proposals: Grants for LGBTIQ+ Advocacy and Awareness-Raising Campaigns and Initiatives

    Open Call for Proposals: Grants for LGBTIQ+ Advocacy and Awareness-Raising Campaigns and Initiatives

    ERA invites civil society organisations, collectives and networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to apply for grants of up to €9,000 and optional mentoring support. Applications are open until 25 August 2026.

    ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Türkiye is launching a Call for Proposals to support advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives that advance the rights, visibility and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people.

    The call is intended to support locally rooted initiatives that respond to identified needs and challenges, strengthen public awareness, encourage informed dialogue, influence policies and practices, combat discrimination and create opportunities for meaningful change.

    What can be supported?

    Proposed initiatives may include:

    • advocacy and strategic communication campaigns;
    • media and digital awareness-raising campaigns;
    • policy papers, advocacy briefs and recommendations;
    • research directly linked to advocacy objectives;
    • public debates, roundtables and community discussions;
    • public education and outreach initiatives;
    • cultural events, exhibitions and creative advocacy;
    • film screenings and festivals;
    • human rights fairs and community events;
    • Pride marches and other public events promoting LGBTIQ+ rights and visibility; and
    • other innovative advocacy or awareness-raising initiatives aligned with the objectives of the call.

    All proposed actions must be non-profit and rights-based and must respect the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation and human rights.

    Who can apply?

    The call is open to civil society organisations, collectives and networks based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia that:

    • work with or for LGBTIQ+ communities;
    • have a mission and activities consistent with democratic principles, human rights and non-discrimination;
    • have been active for at least two years in fields relevant to LGBTIQ+ rights, human rights or related areas; and
    • demonstrate the experience and capacity needed to implement the proposed initiative.

    Each applicant may submit only one application.

    Political parties and party-affiliated organisations, for-profit entities, religious organisations and public institutions are not eligible to apply.

    Funding and implementation

    Selected applicants may receive a grant of up to €9,000.

    Projects are expected to begin in October 2026 and may be implemented over a period of up to 10 months. Proposed budgets must be reasonable, proportionate and clearly linked to the planned activities.

    Optional mentoring support

    Applicants may also request tailored mentoring to support the development or implementation of their initiative.

    Depending on the applicant’s needs, mentoring may cover project design, advocacy strategies, activity planning, monitoring, visibility or other implementation-related areas.

    Mentoring is optional and will not affect the evaluation of the application. It will be paid for directly by ERA and will not reduce the grant amount awarded to the selected organisation.

    How to apply

    The application package must include:

    • a completed Application Form; and
    • a completed Budget Form.

    Applications may be submitted in English, Bosnian, Serbian, Montenegrin or Macedonian. Applications completed in a language other than English must be accompanied by an online English translation prepared using Google Translate or DeepL.

    Send the completed documents to grants@lgbti-era.org with the following email subject:

    Application – Advocacy & Awareness Raising Call – [Country]

    The deadline for applications is: 25 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

    Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

    [Download the full Call for Proposals]
    [Download the Application Form]
    [Download the Budget Form]

    The present call for application is launched by ERA within the framework of the FIER·ES programme (Fostering the Inclusion, Equality and Resilience of LGBTQIA+ people). FIER·ES aims to support LGBTQIA+ CSOs and initiatives so that they are better able to carry out their mandate and mission and promote respect, inclusion, dignity and equality for LGBTQIA+ people in the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans. It is coordinated by ERIM and implemented together with ERA and Genderdoc – M (Moldova). The programme is co-funded by Agence française de développement.

  • ERA Condemns Two Violent Attacks in Belgrade, Serbia

    ERA Condemns Two Violent Attacks in Belgrade, Serbia

    Not the Same. Not Unrelated.

    Within less than 24 hours, drag artist Alexis Plastic and writer and KROKODIL Festival Director Vladimir Arsenijević were violently attacked in Belgrade.

    The two attacks took place in different circumstances and targeted people engaged in different areas of public and cultural life. They must not be treated as identical, nor should their individual contexts be erased. However, they are not unrelated.

    Both attacks used violence and intimidation to send a message about who is allowed to be visible, who is allowed to speak, who is considered to belong in public space and whose experiences and memories society is prepared to protect.

    Attack on Alexis Plastic

    Alexis Plastic was attacked in Belgrade’s public transport after, according to information shared about the incident, the assailant noticed an item carrying LGBTIQ+ symbols.

    During the attack, Alexis sustained an injury to the eye and a puncture wound to the leg caused by a key. The wound required surgical treatment and stitches.

    Belgrade Pride described the incident as an attack motivated by homophobia and called on the competent institutions to urgently identify and prosecute the person responsible.

    The attack is a reminder that, for many LGBTIQ+ people, visibility in public space continues to carry a real risk. An object associated with the community, a person’s appearance, gender expression or perceived identity can still become a trigger for verbal harassment, threats and physical violence.

    This is precisely how hate-motivated violence operates. Its consequences extend beyond the person who is directly attacked. It sends a warning to an entire community: hide what identifies you, make yourself less visible, avoid drawing attention and calculate whether expressing yourself openly is safe.

    No person should have to make such calculations when entering a bus, walking through the city or taking part in everyday public life.

    Attack on Vladimir Arsenijević

    Earlier that day, writer and activist Vladimir Arsenijević, founder of the KROKODIL association and KROKODIL Festival, was physically attacked beneath Branko’s Bridge in central Belgrade.

    Arsenijević was at the site to help prepare a commemoration dedicated to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The event had been announced as part of the programme organised by civil society organisations, foundations, artists and activists gathered around the People Remember People coalition.

    According to Arsenijević’s public account, a group of approximately 20 to 30 young people was waiting at the site. He stated that members of the group insulted, threatened, struck and kicked him, while messages were written across the space intended for the commemoration. Photographs and video published after the incident showed visible injuries to his face.

    The planned gathering was subsequently cancelled because organisers assessed that the safety of participants could no longer be guaranteed. Police conducted an examination of the scene, while institutions, diplomatic representatives and civil society actors called for a prompt investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

    Violence in this context was not only directed at one person. It disrupted a peaceful act of remembrance and made a public gathering impossible by creating fear and an immediate security risk.

    Different attacks, a connected political environment

    The attack on Alexis Plastic and the attack on Vladimir Arsenijević are not the same.

    Alexis was targeted in an incident motivated by homophobia. Vladimir was attacked while preparing a commemoration and participating in work dedicated to public remembrance.

    However, both attacks expose the consequences of a political and social environment in which certain people are repeatedly presented as undesirable, threatening or less entitled to occupy public space.

    In one case, violence communicates that an LGBTIQ+ person should not be openly visible. In the other, violence communicates that people should not publicly challenge denial, insist on remembrance or create space for difficult conversations about the past.

    In both cases, fear is used as a political tool.

    The objective is larger than injuring one person. It is to influence the behaviour of everyone watching: to discourage LGBTIQ+ people from expressing themselves openly, activists from organising, artists and writers from speaking publicly, and citizens from participating in acts of remembrance or defending human rights.

    These are not abstract debates, isolated acts of offensive speech or individual conflicts. When hatred is normalised, when threats remain without consequences and when those who use violence expect impunity, physical attacks become increasingly likely.

    Across the Western Balkans, homophobia, transphobia, historical revisionism, nationalist intimidation and hostility towards human rights defenders often reinforce one another.

    They draw from the same politics of exclusion: dividing society into those who supposedly belong and those who do not; constructing internal enemies; controlling which identities may appear in public; and treating people who question dominant nationalist and patriarchal narratives as legitimate targets.

    This is why ERA, as a regional LGBTIQ+ organisation, cannot understand the safety of LGBTIQ+ people as an isolated issue.

    LGBTIQ+ rights cannot be separated from democratic freedoms, the protection of civic space, freedom of expression and the right of citizens to organise, remember and defend human rights without fear.

    A society that tolerates violence against one group does not become safer for others. It simply expands the number of people against whom violence may eventually be used.

    Institutional responsibility requires action

    ERA strongly condemns both attacks and stands in solidarity with Alexis Plastic and Vladimir Arsenijević.

    We call on the Serbian authorities to act without delay: to identify and prosecute all those responsible, fully investigate the motives and circumstances of both attacks and ensure the safety of those targeted.

    The investigations must address not only the immediate acts of violence but also whether the attacks were motivated by hatred, organised intimidation or an intention to prevent people from participating freely in public life.

    Institutional responsibility cannot be reduced to statements of condemnation issued after someone has already been injured or a public event has already been forced to close.

    It requires effective protection, swift and transparent investigations, consistent prosecution and a clear response to the wider climate in which homophobia, transphobia, nationalist intimidation and hostility towards human rights defenders are increasingly normalised.

    Failure to respond decisively does not leave the situation unchanged. It communicates that threats may be effective, that violence can successfully remove people and ideas from public space, and that those who attack may expect few or no consequences.

    Public authorities have an obligation to protect every citizen equally, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political position, profession or public engagement.

    They also have an obligation to ensure that public transport, streets, cultural venues and spaces of peaceful assembly remain accessible and safe for everyone.

    Freedom cannot be selective!

    There can be no meaningful safety for LGBTIQ+ people in a society where hatred, violence and impunity are allowed to decide who belongs, who may speak and who may be remembered.

    Belgrade, and every city across our region, must be a place where people can live openly, express themselves, participate in public and cultural life, preserve memory and defend human rights without fear of violence.

    Solidarity is more than standing beside those who have already been attacked.

    It is our collective refusal to allow violence to determine the boundaries of our freedoms.

  • Call for Proposals

    We open the Call for Proposals for the support to projects of civil society organisations (CSO) in Western Balkans and Türkiye

    Project proposals should promote and support the social inclusion and fundamental rights of LGBTQI+ persons in all spheres of public and private life. The objective of this call is to support local initiatives that advance equality and empower LGBTQI+ communities, by strengthening the role and capacities of LGBTQI+-led civil society.

    The overall aim is to contribute to further socio-economic inclusion of the LGBTQI+ community and participation in the public sphere in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The objective is to strengthen the civil society organizations’ role and capacities to advocate, deliver services, raise public awareness and/or provide other types of support to the LGBTQI+ population in pursuing their rights and equal opportunities.

    Project proposal shall be submitted no later than 2 November 2025, 17:00 (CET).

    In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must fulfil criteria as follows:
    • Be a legal person;
    • Be non-profit-making;
    • Be a civil society organisation (CSO) or a representative network of CSOs working on
    one or more thematic areas of relevance to this Call for Proposals

    • be established in an IPA III Beneficiary under the Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance – the IPA III Beneficiaries taken into consideration for the present call for proposals are: The Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, The Republic of North Macedonia, The Republic of Serbia, The Republic of Türkiye
    • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with their possible co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary and
    • have as a minimum two years (i.e. 24 months) experience in the field of the Call. In case the lead applicant is a network of CSOs, this applies also to its members and

    Applications must be submitted with filled: Application Form (Annex I) Budget Proposals (Annex II) and Logical Framework Matrix (Annex III).

    Please read carefully detailed Guidelines prior to filling in these forms.

    A comprehensive capacity-building programme in project management and related issues will be provided to supported CSOs.

    Applications, along with the accompanying technical documentation, shall be sent to e-mail grants@old.lgbti-era.org, with subject “CfP for CSOs in WB and TR – Working Safe”. If needed, further information can be obtained by sending the question to grants@old.lgbti-era.org no later than 12 October 2025 17:00.

    A total of EUR 400,000 will be allocated to CSOs through this call. The amount of funds that can be allocated for an individual project under this Call can be a maximum of EUR 40,000.

    The project Working Safe: Socio-economic Inclusion of the LGBTQI+ Community in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, which is implemented by ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Türkiye, in partnership with Queer Montenegro, Tuzla Open Center from BiH, Open Mind Spectrum Albania, Center for Social Group Development from Kosovo, Coalition Margins from North Macedonia, Izađi from Serbia and Kaos GL from Türkiye. This project is funded by the European Union.

    This call was produced with the assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the implementing organisation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

  • The rights of LGBTIQ+ workers: A two-day training with representatives of trade unions from the Western Balkans takes place in Tirana

    The rights of LGBTIQ+ workers: A two-day training with representatives of trade unions from the Western Balkans takes place in Tirana

    On February 8-9, 2023, a two-day training focused on the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers took place in Tirana. The Solidarity Centre and ERA brought together representatives of the LGBTIQ+ community and other civil society organizations in Albania and trade union representatives from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH), Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania (KSSH), Independent Education Union of Albania (SPASH), and Trade Union Federation of Education and Science of Albania (FSASH), participated from Albania. The president of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK) was part of the event. From North Macedonia, we had representatives from the Union of Workers in Education, Science, and Culture (SONK), and the Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia (UNASM). The country program director for Solidarity Center in Belgrade, Serbia attended the event along with a representative of the trade union Nezavisnost. Among LGBTIQ+ organisations present at the event were also Alliance against LGBT Discrimination, Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA), LGBT Shelter “Streha”, Ylberofilia and Pro LGBT. Other society actors, such as activists, lawyers, journalists, educators, and representatives from the Office of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, were present at this training. The training consisted of identifying the problems that LGBTIQ+ workers face in their workplaces (discrimination, fear, abuse), familiarizing them with the functions and activities of unions, and identifying methods for protecting and advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers. The efficiency of the meeting lay in the fact that two interest groups came together to discuss the problems they encounter every day, to get to know each other, to get more information, and to understand how they can solve the issues in the future, which are particularly problematic for LGBTIQ+ employees.

    The workshop/training was a follow-up to the regional conference “On Discrimination at Work” held by Solidarity Center in March 2022 in Skopje, North Macedonia. ERA and the trade unions suggested conducting a joint workshop/training beneficial for both parties. The LGBTIQ+ community would learn more about the role and importance of trade unions, the benefits of collective bargaining, and how the trade union can protect them in cases of harassment or violence at the workplace. On the other hand, trade unions would better understand the challenges the LGBTIQ+ community face in general, but mainly when jobhunting or injustices in the workplace only because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The first joint event based on this suggestion took place on February 8th–9th, 2023, and proved to be very beneficial and enlightening for both parties. This is the first of several follow-up workshops/training where the LGBTIQ+ community and trade union came together. 

    The first day

    After the presentation of the participants, Mr. Arbër Kodra, the Executive Director of Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA), offered a general presentation about the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania. Being one of the first meetings of this kind for trade unions, it was necessary first to share some basic information so that everyone would be informed about the LGBTIQ+ community, the organizations that work for it, the terminologies, the prejudices, the legal context and the issues that this community faces. 

    After the general presentation of the community, it was the turn of the trade unions to talk about their work, importance, formation, membership, and many other elements. Mr. Atdhe Hykolli, President of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK), made a presentation about union organizing, starting with the definition of the word “union” to then move on to a brief history of the birth of unions, and especially how their situation is in Kosovo. The establishment of independent trade unions in Kosovo was also critical, as well as the definition of legal forms unions can use in extreme cases: strikes and protests. But before reaching these implementations, the trade unions first used social dialogue or mediation between the parties, i.e., employers and employees. The situation was similar in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, and the same problems also arose there.

    Xheni Karaj, Executive Director of the Alliance against LGBT Discrimination, in her presentation, emphasized the urgent need for community members to feel represented and protected in terms of employment. She presented some of the surveys done with the LGBTIQ+ community regarding employment, discrimination at work, hate speech, workplace harassment, etc. From the information provided, a significant part of members of the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania does not come out openly in the workplace for fear of discrimination, prejudice, dismissal, or unpleasant situations. The process of “coming out” is individual and complex. It is essential because it can undo the myths and stereotypes created by society for LGBTIQ+ people. However, at the same time, there are other less positive aspects, such as targeting due to coming out openly, discrimination, harassment, abandonment by family and friends, etc. In her speech, Xheni Karaj emphasized the need for building communication bridges between the parties for a gentle approach with LGBTIQ+ people who choose to be part of their coming out.

    Amarildo Fecanji, Program Manager at ERA, presented some of the data of the regional survey conducted by ERA and the World Bank in 2018 with over 3000 representatives from all over the Western Balkans, where it was observed that: over 2/3 of LGBTIQ+ people kept hidden the fact that they belong to the community at the workplace for reasons of fear of discrimination, violence, job loss or exploitation due to tolerance by the employer. Some of the other problems were: the unemployment of LGBTIQ+ people (not infrequently because of the person’s sexual orientation) as well as the lack of inclusive contracts and policies for the LGBTIQ+ community. Transgender people are among the most discriminated against at work and not only. The probability that they will not be hired, harassed in the workplace, not promoted, discriminated against, or fired is relatively high. The problematic employment situation of transgender people has made a good part of transgender people see sex work as the only solution.

    The presentation of the Director of the Shelter “Streha,” Mrs. Adelajda Alikaj, was the last for the first day. Mrs. Alikaj underlined the experiences of the community in Albania, such as family conflicts, expulsion from home, stigma, discrimination, isolation, abuse, threats, difficulties in receiving services, etc. From a 2017 statistic, the Head Hunter company published the results of a study on the situation of the LGBTIQ+ community in employment, where it said that state institutions are also part of the discrimination. Only 7 out of 109 companies included in the study were open to hiring a person from the LGBTIQ+ community.

    From her experience with community members who frequent the center, Ms. Alikaj says that the most common ways for an LGBTIQ+ person not to be employed are

    • short interviews,
    • short duration,
    • closed questions that do not leave room for expression,
    • or lack of a second interview

    The list is long regarding what happens in a workplace for an LGBTIQ+ person. It starts with insults, abuse of schedules, unpleasant jokes, exclusion from joint activities, intimidation, pressure from the employer/colleagues, etc.

    The second day

    The second training day began with a summary of the first day. Then it continued with the presentation of Mrs. Anxhella Llalla, a lawyer with long professional trade union experience in Albania. Ms. Llalla made a detailed presentation on trade union organizing, its role in protecting workers’ rights, the importance of reforming and improving the structures and functions of trade unions, as well as other suggestions and ideas for improving their performance. Her presentation stimulated a very constructive discussion among the union representatives themselves but also with LGBTIQ+ organizations. In the debate, it was noted that unions have structures that can address issues such as gender equality or young workers but lack structures that could be more inclusive and more efficiently protect or represent marginalized groups of workers, such as LGBTIQ+ employees but also those of other groups such as Roma and Egyptians, people with disabilities, etc. Among other things, the decline in union memberships was pointed out. One of the suggestions was to increase unions’ engagement with marginalized groups to increase and improve their membership. In the discussion, the great difficulties faced by the trade unions were also pointed out, such as the large number of collective contracts that must be negotiated with employers despite limited human and financial resources.

    The last section of the training discussed further steps that LGBTIQ+ organizations and trade unions can take to protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers and forms of cooperation that can be applied in the future.

    Union representatives themselves identified several activities that they can carry out in defense of the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers, such as:

    – Informative and educational sections related to the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers;

    – Informative campaigns with the membership of the union;

    – Informative and advisory meetings between teachers and parents, coordinated by the union;

    – The possibility of using the SKOT application as an option for LGBTIQ+ members of trade unions in Albania to report cases of discrimination or mistreatment;

    – Inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ theme in major activities developed by trade unions;

    – Including the LGBTIQ+ issue and perspectives in research and surveys conducted within the union;

    – Inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ theme in job fairs;

    At the end of the fruitful meeting between the two groups (LGBTIQ+ organizations and unions of Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia), some of the main conclusions were:

    – LGBTI+ persons should receive more detailed information on the Labor Code; to know their rights and obligations; to know and learn about the existence of trade unions and see the possibility of joining them;

    – Unions should be more present through meetings and information sessions where the part of individual and collective contracts, membership quotas, protection of employees, follow-up of issues, etc., are clearly explained.

    – Continuous cooperation between LGBTIQ+ organizations and trade unions is necessary to share more information and to create a network that helps and is in the interest of both parties.

    In the activity evaluation, the participants were inspired, motivated, and well-informed about the needs and problems of the other sector. They appreciated getting to know each other, group discussions, information shared, personal stories of LGBTIQ+ people, and synergies created between LGBTIQ+ organizations and trade unions. Representatives from the trade unions appreciated the knowledge they gained on the topic, provided ideas on where they think it’s possible to act, and stressed the need to improve and create a more inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for the community.

    We invite you to read this trade union guide if you are a trade union representative in Albania or the Western Balkans.

    For any other questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact the Solidarity Centre offices in Albania and Serbia, the regional organization ERA, or the LGBTIQ+ organizations in the respective countries.

    Writer: Xheni Shehaj, Historia-Ime & PRO LGBT

    Editing: Amarildo Fecanji, ERA

    Photos: Solidarity Center and ERA ©

  • “Discrimination at Work” Conference addresses LGBTI+ workers rights in the Western Balkans

    “Discrimination at Work” Conference addresses LGBTI+ workers rights in the Western Balkans

    On 23-25 March, ERA joined Solidarity Centre in Skopje, North Macedonia at its regional conference on “Discrimination at Work”. The event was attended by Trade Union representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The three days event aimed to provide a snapshot of workplace discrimination in the Balkans region, as well as help to look at TU’s, workers’, governments’ and employers’ responses to unequal treatment at work, including legal efforts and policy changes, in order to pave the way for broader democratic policy changes that protect worker safety across the region.
    The conference served as a platform for networking and sharing knowledge and best practices and it helped unions to build connections among each-other as well as with CSOs as they look to build cross cutting movements for worker’s safety and facilitated knowledge sharing between the unions across the region.
    At this important regional gathering, ERA had the opportunity to facilitate a panel on the role of NGOs working on discrimination issues in the disability community, the LGBTIQ+ community and Roma/Egyptian and other minority communities on effectively confronting bullying and discrimination in hiring. The second panel was a presentation on LGBTI+ community and their specific challenges and needs as workers. ERA representatives shared with the participants also the recently published Guide for Trade Unions on engaging with LGBTI+ workers in the Western Balkans as well as provided tips and ideas on what can be done in our region.
    The event was an excellent opportunity for ERA to strengthen dialogue with Trade Unions and to promote inclusion of LGBTI+ workers. TU representatives appreciated the conversations on the topic and welcomed future possible cooperation with LGBTI+ organizations in the region as well as holding additional more in depth activities on this topic.
    Note: Since 2019 ERA is implenting a regional project aiming to address the socio-economic rights of LGBTI+ people in the Western Balkans, with the support of Olof Palme Center. 

  • Acknowledged but unequal: Addressing socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI people in the Western Balkans

    Acknowledged but unequal: Addressing socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI people in the Western Balkans

    As of 2020 ERA is running a new regional initiative with the support of Olof Palme International Center and in partnership with Swedish organization HBT-Socialdemokrater.
    The 4-years project, aims to address in particular the socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI+ people in the Western Balkans region, and in line with other beneficiaries and project partners of Olof Palme International Centre in the region counter threats to democracy and human rights, advance equality and LGBTI worker’s rights and further contribute to increased gender equality.
    While in the last 15-20 years LGBTI+ rights have entered the public domain and some legal and social rights have been achieved, the socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI people are far from fulfilled. The community still lives in fear of violence and discrimination and the movement across the region still struggle to have meaningful and deep cooperation with state institutions and other relevant stakeholders. EU integration remains an important incentive for furthering legal rights of LGBTI people, but it can do so much when it comes to a more robust socio-economic and political integration of the community. As such more specific initatives are required to address this gap.
    Keeping in mind that the above situation and ERA’s overall mission and specific goals, the initiative has the following specific objectives:
    1) to increase regional alliances between the LGBTI movements and labor movements (unions in particular) as well as political parties, with the main aim of facilitating dialogue and creating opportunities for mobilization and collective organizing for progressive social change;
    2) to create collaborative strategies of solidarity and build the capacities of the LGBTI movement, trade unions movements and progressive political parties to jointly counteract the shrinking space for civil society and the rising populist, nationalist, right-wing, anti-gender and anti-LGBTI movements in the region;
    3) To move beyond the prevailing narratives about LGBTI rights that focus only on rule of law and to push for a more holistic narrative on the lived realities of LGBTI people, as they intersect with class, race, gender, etc. and in relation to the socio-economic dimensions of homophobia and transphobia;
    4) To bridge the gap between LGBTI organizations, unions and political parties.
    Both topics, that of political participation of LGBTI people and that of socio-economic rights, remain under-addressed in our region and they represent great opportunity for further advancements as well as a responsibility to encourage political parties and unions to address the rights of LGBTI people in a fundamental, thorough and fully inclusive manner.
    As part of its first year of activities, ERA will work together with its members on establishing dialogue with political parties and unions in the region, develop a baseline assessment of existing practices within unions and political parties in the Western Balkans region, mapp the wider labor movements in the region and conduct a needs assessment for member organizations,  political parties and unions. The project includes also a study visit of ERA staff in Sweden, which was held in March 2020 and an online regional strategic meeting of above-mentioned stakeholders in the second half of 2020.
    Keeping in mind the travel restrictions and social distancing measures and protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the safety of our own staff and the stakeholders we are working with, all remaining project activities for the year 2020 will be conducted online.
    For questions or comments regarding the project please send an email at amarildo@lgbti-era.org