ACCEPT – Strength in solidarity and a call for change
The Romanian LGBTI organisation, ACCEPT plays an important role in co-hosting the ILGA-Europe conference this year. Co-president Teo Ion-Rotaru shares her insights into what the Conference represents for the organisation and the LGBTI community in Romania, in light of the current political climate.
Hi Teo. Can you tell us what hosting the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference means for ACCEPT?
ACCEPT has been part of the European LGBTI movement for almost 30 years. Even though some faces have changed — staff, board members, and activists — our focus remains the same: growing and consolidating the movement. Hosting this conference offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the broader European movement, especially at a time when it is so needed.
It is a chance to bring together young and seasoned activists alike, offering a space where we can collectively reflect on our successes and challenges. My own first ILGA-Europe conference reinforced my belief in the power of community. Seeing others who had been through similar struggles, sharing strategies and support, was a powerful reminder that we are not alone.
What does this event mean in a wider political context for the LGBTI movement in Romania?
The political environment in Romania is tense, with Presidential and Parliamentary elections around the corner. The rights of LGBTI people are increasingly important for Europe, and Romanian politicians are aware that the eyes of Europe are on them.
We hope that this event will serve as a platform to amplify the voices of Romania’s LGBTI community, not just within our own country but across Europe. Hosting this conference sends a clear message: you cannot demand support from Europe while turning a blind eye to the rights denied to your own citizens.
Our fight is intersectional—it’s not just about LGBTI rights, but about democracy, the rule of law, and the well-being of all minorities in Romania. This conference will shine a spotlight on these struggles and push us towards greater equality.
