Euroletter 181, September 2010
ILGA-EUROPE
Equality work goes green – ILGA-Europe introduced green policy
Why should environmental issues be important for ILGA-Europe that works for equality for LGBTI people? The combination of equality work and green thinking is not obvious. However the large number of activities such as conferences, study visits, seminars, meetings and the day-to-day running an office with 12 employees has a big environmental impact.
Full story.
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EUROPE
EU gender equality meets 3 of the 4 key recommendations by ILGA-Europe
The Strategy for equality between women and men 2010-2015 published earlier this month presents a positive shift in European Commission policy making in the sphere of gender equality when seen from an LGBTI point of view.
Full story.
Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, strongly criticize France for Roma expulsion
On 14 September 2010, the Commissioner stated she will consider infringement procedure against France. The commission is likely to file two cases against France, one for "discriminatory application" of the EU law on freedom of movement and another one for having legal gaps in the transposition of this law into national legislation.
Full story.
2010 – the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Almost 84 million Europeans live at risk of poverty, which means they face insecurity, and go without what most people often take for granted. Inspired by its founding principle of solidarity, the European Union has joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The key objectives are to raise public awareness about these issues and renew the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion.
Full story.
Slovenia against discrimination based on sexual orientation and identity
Representatives of the Slovenian government condemned discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity during a high-level panel discussion of the 15th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Full story.
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LGBT FAMILIES
European Parliament and Commissioner Reding debate discrimination against same-sex married/registered couples in the EU
On 7 September 2010, an oral question and a number of interventions were posed by the Members of the European Parliament to Vivianne Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and the EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. While welcoming the debate, ILGA-Europe disagrees with the Commissioner Reding that that current EU law is already tackling the gaps which lead to discrimination against same-sex married/registered same-sex couples.
Full story.
Latvian Prime Minister supports same-sex registered partnership
Valdis Dombrovskis, current Prime Minister of Latvia, believes that same-sex couples should be able to register their relationships and property status.
Full story.
ILGA-Europe’s Family exhibition in Bratislava
The exhibition „Different families, same love“ is now on its second stop on its European tour after Europride in Warsaw in July. The 12 images will be exhibited from today until 15 October 2010 in connection with the film festival Filmový festival inakosti (Slovak Gay & Lesbian Film Festival).
Full story.
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HATE & VIOLENCE
ILGA-Europe's new publications on homophobic/transphobic hate crimes and working with the police
Joining forces to combat homophobic and transphobic hate crime is the title chosen by ILGA-Europe for its new publication on cooperation between police forces and LGBT organisations in Europe.
Full story.
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FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, EXPRESSION & ASSOCIATION
Russian authorities continue harassing LGBTI human rights defenders
On 15 September 2010, Nikolai Alekseev, a prominent human rights activist, was detained by Russian authorities. On the same day, the opening of the Queer Culture Festival in St Petersburg was cancelled.
Full story.
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TRANSGENDER
Swiss Supreme Court complies with important European Court of Human Rights ruling for transgender people
15 September 2010 the Federal Supreme Court decided to reaffirm the Schlumpf v. Switzerland judgement from the European Court of Human Rights from 2009.
Full story.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Flexible funding opportunity for LGBTI organisations in Central and Southern Europe
ILGA-Europe recently learned about great funding opportunities for LGBTI organisations from the EEA Grants and Norway Grants, which target the 15 beneficiary states - Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
Full story.
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NOTICE BOARD
25th ILGA World Conference, San Paulo, Brazil – 4-9 December 2010
The theme of the conference will be “Building the way forward in times of crisis”. In the last few years and since the last World Conference in Vienna in 2008, it has become even more evident that our movement can be very vulnerable to crises, them being political, social, or economic ones. However, unstable conditions can also represent turning points and opportunities for the movement to further the human rights agenda of LGBTI people.
Full story.
New publication: An Activist’s Guide to The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
This guide is written by Sheila Quinn and is targeted primarily to activists working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) issues.
Full story.
Vacancy with Human Rights watch: Director, LGBT Program
Human Rights Watch is seeking a highly-qualified, senior-level professional to head its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program.
Full story.
"European Rainbow Cities", taking place in Barcelona on the 14th and 15th of October 2010
The conference is part of the European project AHEAD (Against Homophobia. European Local Administration Devices), co-funded by the European Commission, implemented by the Barcelona City Council and with partners in four other European countries. Its main objective is the elaboration of a White Paper that collects recommendations and good practices to foster local public policies aimed at fighting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The goal of the conference "European Rainbow Cities" is to share local best practices and experiences and to reflect on the challenges for policies against homophobia.
Full story.
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Euro-Letter is published by ILGA-Europe - the European Region of the International
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex Association (ILGA)
ISSN 1998-8117
Editor:
Juris Lavrikovs
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Previous issues:
all previous Euro-Letters in English as well as the Greek translations from No 127, January 2006 are available in pdf format on our website.
ILGA-Europe is grateful to Pantelis Ravdas, Joanna Papazoglou and Evdokia Sakka for the Greek translations.
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