Future visions: 7 LGBTI groups working for racial justice and equity
In this blog, marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, seven of our partner organisations share their aspirations, visions, and messages for the wider LGBTI movement
Across Europe and Central Asia, tremendous collective work is needed to undo deeply embedded prejudice, racism, inequities and oppression.
Many groups and collectives, led by and working for racialised LGBTI communities, are putting their knowledge, time, energy and talent to use, day in and day out, in the undoing of prejudice and oppression within our movements and societies.
Here are the visions seven of our partner organisations, run by racialised activists, hold for the movement and the future.
ARA ART – Czechia
“We are working towards future where intersectional equality will be key to everyone feeling respected and supported in their unique identities.”
“In the future LGBTI movement in Europe, it should be a priority to protect and respect particularly vulnerable minorities within the LGBTI movement to ensure that every individual feels safe and supported.”
Break Isolation group/International Women* Space (IWS) – Germany
“We are working towards a future where the freedom of movement, autonomy, emancipation and liberation of racialised queer folk is a right, not a privilege.”
“In the future LGBT movement in Europe, we hope to collaborate, join formidable alliances and create sustainable community care and support systems for racialised LGBT persons in Europe and beyond.”
Fite Qlub – netherlands
“We are working towards a future where people living in the Western world are not subjected to racialisation, homophobia, and transphobia. Our mission is to end systemic oppression, both political and economic, against LGBTQI+ communities that are not conforming with the norms of Western society, and achieve sexual liberation through an intersectional and anti-colonial approach.”
“In the future European LGBTI movement, we need to collaborate with our comrades and allies to create networks of care and solidarity to support each other. The challenges occurring in one country affect others, despite the illegitimate borders drawn by nation-states with a colonial mindset. European policies and institutions often perpetuate the destiny for a white, cis, heteronormative, capitalist system that is an oppressive tool over our communities in Europe.”
Minbar Wien – Austria
“We are working towards a future where people feel more connectedness within the queer community.”
“In this future, the LGBTI movement in Europe will include racialised points of view and needs within the decision-making process and will make a space for cultural diversity within the priorities.”
La Pride des Banlieues – France
“We are working towards future where the most marginalised people will have access to the same rights as everyone.”
“In this future LGBTI movement in Europe, we will strive to make the struggles of racialised and marginalised people more visible and will ensure that they are heard.”
Rainbow Mind – UK
“We are working towards a future where all LGBTQIA people have access to culturally competent mental health services and where all parts of their identity are welcome.”
“For this future LGBTI movement in Europe, we call for mental health support for all LGBTQIA people as a human right. We need a radical approach to health activism to co-produce mental health support tailored by and for racialised LGBTQIA people.”
Rainbow Nation Brussels – Belgium
“We, at Rainbow Nation Brussels, are working towards a future where every Black, brown, and person of colour within the LGBTQIA+ community feels valued, heard, and supported.”
“In this future, let’s commit to deconstructing our biases, unlearning racist behaviours and collectively creating spaces that are truly inclusive, where every member of our community can thrive without fear of marginalisation or injustice.”
ILGA-Europe has the privilege to learn from and work with these groups through our dedicated programme in support of the work done by and for racialised LGBTI communities. We are currently inviting project proposals for the next iteration of this programme, as we continue our commitment to providing funds and support for those in the LGBTI movement who address intersectional impacts of injustice, racialisation, racism and supremacy, affecting the lives of racialised LGBTI communities across Europe.
