Overview
What: Queer Working Group
When: 27th-29th May
Where: Online meeting; ZOOM platform
Age: 18-35 years
Size: 25-30 people keeping the balance between the regions
Deadline: 24th May 12:00 CEST.
Outline
The current COVID-19 situation has made us realise how much the crisis situation affects people in already disadvantage situations. The LGBTI community is particularly vulnerable to suffer discrimination, or high-risk characteristics are likely to be disproportionately impacted by both the virus itself and the following safety measures.
IUSY Queer working group meeting aims to provide young activists from member organizations with knowledge on the theme of LGBT* issues and rights as well as develop, skills and competences to identify and counter homophobic and transphobic attitudes in their political activism. This years’ QWG will aim to recap on the work done in the past year and work further on guidelines and policy proposals for adapting their online activism to the current online times.
Theme
The COVID-19 outbreak has unexpected effects for LGBTQ people around the world from social isolation, domestic abuse, higher risk of infection by being part of the risk group (HIV positive, LGBTQI elderly), or online harassment.
The crisis situation is forcing LGBTQ youth back into living with their families in lockdown where they may not be accepted, where they can experience abuse, places vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and employment insecurity. The lock down may lead the LGBTQI community to find themselves in social isolation, particularly elderly. The current situation limits the social interaction to online social media, where often governments do not have strong policies on online harassment and hate speech.
On the health aspect there are several factors which may make LGBT people more at risk of contracting COVID-19, in addition many trans and non-binary people have been denied access to prescribed and scheduled hormone injections, treatments or surgeries by these being ‘non-essential’. This is likely to add to the anxiety and other associated mental health conditions which are already more prevalent.
The state of alarm and government policies like the one introduced in Hungary this week, the government proposed a bill that would make it illegal to change gender identity in official documents are hindering progress on potential legal changes that could grant LGBTQ people greater rights.
Queer voices are oftentimes silenced in society, so in order to support them we have to actively louden those voices. The easiest way is to give up spaces and opportunities to speak and let those spaces be occupied by LGBT people.
Participant’s profile
This activity is aimed towards the activists of IUSY member organisations. Please note that it is required that the participants stay for the whole duration of the activity and also to contribute to the working group after the meeting.
Participants should:
- Belong to IUSY member organisation
- Be aged 18-35
- Have been active/working/studying in the field of queer rights movement
- Be willing to continue to work and be active in the field of queer peoples’ rights
- Availability to contribute to IUSY activities in future
How to apply
Simply fill in the registration form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMXh-H8TPpeKv-kcJl28D-ReKnSqSsci-y4om_KAMVWquWcA/viewform
by Friday 22nd May 2020.
All applicants will receive the outcome of their application by the end of the day.
Online Meeting
The meeting will take place online, through the online platform Zoom. It will be in English and without any participation fee. Participants once confirmed their participation, will receive the programme, more detailed technical information and the link and an entry code to the meeting room.
The event will take place during three days for about two hours a day. This means we will have a space to talk, to share, to support and to act. The programme will offer some offline activities as well as reflexion time. We encourage the participants to remain active, engaged and available during the time of the on-going activity.
It is important to remember that our events are safe spaces and that we are mindful and respectful towards each other.
Contact
Ana Ruiz
IUSY Project Manager
EMAIL: ana.ruiz@iusy.org
Phone: +43 699 135 32 970
Or
Gohar Ghandilyan
IUSY Project Manager
EMAIL: gohar.ghandilyan@iusy.org
Phone: +43 699 135 32 960
We are looking forward to receiving your registration and meeting you online!