The Rights of Children Raised in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender Families: A European Perspective (December 2008)

This report documents the existing framework of legal protection of the rights of children in LGBT families at European level, analyses the many gaps in their protection, and makes recommendations for addressing these.

Handbook on monitoring and reporting homophobic and transphobic incidents (August 2008)

This handbook is designed for LGBT and human rights organisations who intend to monitor the occurrence of homophobic and transphobic incidents and violence in order to advocate for legislative changes to increase legal protections from violence motivated by hatred towards LGBT people at national, European and international levels.

Transgender EuroStudy: Legal Survey and Focus on the Transgender Experience of Health Care (April 2008)

This report is an analysis and summary of the results obtained and it details the barriers that trans people face when accessing health care. The work undertaken is certainly the largest and most comprehensive data collection on trans people’s lived experience to date. One can never claim that research data is entirely representative of a community; even less so when the community being studied consists of many small sub-communities, as is the case with trans people. However, as is detailed in the data analysis section of this report, the statistics we have on the profile of respondents do generally match data of the population of Europe (e.g. the percentage of those with a disability).

Anti-discrimination poster (January, 2008)

Different Families, Same Rights? Freedom and Justice in the EU: Implications of the Hague Programme for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Families and their Children (December 2007)

Different Families, Same Rights? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Families under International Human Rights Law (December 2007)

'Different Families, Same Love'-posters (December 2007)

International Human Rights References to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (regarding LGBT populations and HIV/AIDS and STIs) (December 2007)

Forced Out: LGBT People in Georgia (August 2007)

A high level of hostility towards same-sex relationships and diverse gender identities prevails in virtually every aspect of Georgian society. Many believe them to be a disease, some see them as a sin, others as a perversion. Human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are opposed by some prominent human rights defenders and other high-level figures. Stigmatisation is so pervasive that most LGBT people are forced out of communities, deprived of any chance to openly express their sexual orientation or gender identity, and suffer from discrimination and hate crimes. And yet they are forced to come out and organise into associations and groups if they want to be able to stand up for who they are.

This joint ILGA-Europe and COC report is the first of its kind to be published about same-sex relationships and LGBT people in Georgia. It explores identities, common human rights violations, the landscape of LGBT organising, health and HIV/AIDS, and relevant legal aspects. It also provides recommendations to the Georgian government, donors, LGBT activists and international organisations.

Forced Out: LGBT People in Azerbaijan (August 2007)

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not invisible in the predominantly Muslim Azerbaijani society. Tens of transgender sex workers go into the main street of the capital city Baku every night, prominent showbiz figures barely hide their sexual orientation, mass media gives more space every day to the subject of sexual orientation and gender identities. And yet one should not be misled by this relative visibility: there is a price of estrangement from family, bullying, social exclusion, discrimination, blackmailing and hate crimes attached to it.

This joint ILGA-Europe and COC report is the first of its kind to be published about same-sex relationships and LGBT people in Azerbaijan. It explores identities, common human rights violations, the landscape of LGBT organising, health and HIV/AIDS, and relevant legal aspects. It also provides recommendations to the Azerbaijani government, donors, LGBT activists and international organisations.

Equality Mainstreaming fact sheet (September 2007)

Mainstreaming is one concept that since the 1990’s has gained popularity in international spheres. The United Nations, the Council of Europe and the European Commission have been developing gender mainstreaming with more of less success for some time. The term non-discrimination mainstreaming is now used at the European Union level to include other groups, which have been discriminated against, amongst which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. This factsheet looks at equality mainstreaming (as going beyond the anti-discrimination framework to achieve equality in practice). After defining the term equality mainstreaming, it highlights why this methodology is important and what are the conditions for it to work. Finally some sample questions and recommendations are given to contribute to the process of equality mainstreaming for policy-makers.

Going Beyond the Law: promoting equality in employment (2nd edition, May 2007)

The introduction in 2000 of the EU Directive prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation represented an unexpected and much welcomed advance in the progress toward real equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. The legislation offered the possibility of a transformation in the working life of lesbians, gays and bisexuals. No longer did they need to hide their sexual orientation for fear of harassment or discrimination. Such freedom would enable them to participate fully and openly and thus enjoy better social and professional relationships with their colleagues. Because of the new environment, they would better realise their career potential and bring home concrete benefits for their partners. Such was the promise.

The first version of this document, published in 2005, explored the extent to which that promise had been realised. The current edition, significantly revised and updated, looks at the state of transposition of the EU Directive, discusses its limitations and weaknesses in ensuring equality of LGB people in the employment, as well as the experience of LGB people of the legislation.

An important position taken in the discussions is that legislation is not enough. If equality for lesbians, gays and bisexuals is to become a reality in the workplace, then reacting to inequality is not going to do it. The focus has to be on measures and initiatives that actively promote equality. Employers and trade unions have a central and unique role to play in this respect. Therefore, relying on the testimonials of lesbians, gays and bisexuals with first hand experience, as well as the good practice available, the document points to practical steps that employers and trade unions can be taken to help realise the promise of equality in the workplace.

Прайды против предрассудков. Руководство по организации прайдов во враждебной обстановке (2006)

Целью данного руководства является предоставление идей и информационных ресурсов желающим организовать прайды во враждебной обстановке. Такая необходимость становится очевидной на фоне сильной враждебности, с которой сталкиваются многие организаторы прайдов в Центральной и Восточной Европе. В данном руководстве рассказывается об их опыте и успехах, а также дается информация о доступной поддержке, которую могут предоставить европейские институты и ЛГБТ-сообщества на международном уровне. Оно направлено на укрепление достигнутого прогресса и предоставление изначального ноу-хау для желающих организовать мероприятия в странах и городах, где прайды еще не проводились.

Борьба за достижение свободы собраний и выражение мнений для ЛГБТ-людей в Центральной и Восточной Европе представляет собой значительные трудности, волнение и веселье. Ненависть и любые угрозы насилия необходимо встречать с огромным мужеством и готовностью бороться. Фотоснимки, вошедшие в данное руководство (и охотно предоставленные многими фотографами) демонстрируют дух этих важных событий, и, как мы надеемся, вдохновят многих людей продолжать это дело.

Prides against Prejudice. A toolkit for pride organising in a hostile environment (September 2006)

This toolkit is intended to provide ideas and information resources for those wanting to organise Pride events in a hostile environment. The need for it has been made clear by the intense hostility faced by many Pride organisers in Central and Eastern Europe. In drawing heavily on their experiences and successes, and matching this input with information on support available from the European institutions and the LGBT community internationally, it aims to underpin the consolidation of progress made so far, and provide the initial know-how for those wishing to arrange events in countries and towns where no Pride events have yet been held.

The struggle to achieve freedom of assembly and expression for LGBT people across Central and Eastern Europe presents enormous challenges, excitement and exhilaration. Hatred and the ever present threat of violence have to be met with great courage and commitment. The photographs included in the toolkit (and provided so willingly by the many photographers) capture the spirit of these important events, honour those who have taken part in them, and will, we hope, inspire many more to take up the cause.

General leaflet about ILGA-Europe (June 2006)