Projects

Astraea’s International Fund for Sexual Minorities supports groups, projects, or organizations working towards progressive social change which are led by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) communities and directly address oppression based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.

For full details, please see Funding Opportunities.

ART EXHIBITION
STATE OF MIND PREMIERES AT EUROPRIDE IN STOCKHOLM

Artists: Annica Karlsson Rixon and Anna Viola Hallberg
Title of work: State of Mind
Venue: Kulturhuset, Stockholm
Type of work: Photography & Video Installation, (11 large format group portraits & 8 channel video
installation)
Language: Russian & English
Duration Exhibition: July 25 - August 24, 2008
Context: EuroPride 08/Stockholm Pride

Flat screens portray people telling their individual stories. They are set up to simulate a group photograph towards the backdrop. Installed at eye level, and hangs from ceiling. The audio from each monitor is accessed by
headphones. The projection, backdrop, presents a view of the River Neva with the city emblem, the Palace Bridge, as a key image. There is an ambient soundtrack is monotone and repetitive clinging on to the machinery of the Soviet times. It is constructed by components of enhanced documentary sound from the riverbanks of Neva.

Large format photographs: Portraying nine constellations of friends and lovers in urban settings in St Petersburg.

State of Mind Tour July-October 2008:State of Mind at Gallery K1 and Plan 3, Kulturhuset, Stockholm, Sweden,
July 25 – August 24

State of Mind and Resonance at Rosphoto, St Petersburg, Russia, September 4 - October5

State of Mind at Göteborg Museum of Art, Göteborg, Sweden, in the group show Talking Loud and Saying Something, September 24 - November 16.

State of Mind provides an exclusive view of a select group in St Petersburg. The stories reveal both general and private aspects of everyday life, a fringe of the dominant social custom. The work introduces a discussion of intercultural perspectives to identity politics.

The stories are selected from documentary material collected in great trust between the artists and the interviewees in fieldwork. State of Mind opens doors towards empowering readings and invites a dialogue on
identity politics. It brings forward embedded evidence of stamina and activism, revealing stories of contemporary city life for individuals identifying as lesbians or work with LGBTQ related issues in Russia.
State of Mind explores the space between ethics and legislation in an area where cultures and ethnicities meet and possibly also clash. It discusses wide topics such as shortcomings vs. possibilities, belonging vs. alienation, appointed- vs. selected identity.

The participants talk generously about LGBT politics and issues, East-West, private situations and confrontations, as well as the view of the future. Leadership, democracy and women’s rights are central matters that more than 40 men and women talk about. They span in age from 17-67 and include students, journalists, workers, poets, artists, rock stars, pole dancers, lawyers, academics, business owners, etcetera. It is an expanding network, evolving parallel to the work State of Mind, encouraging discussions of law, identity, nationality, ethnicity and the essence of belonging together.

Annica Karlsson Rixon & Anna Viola Hallberg
Lives and works out of Brännö/Stockholm, Sweden.

They collaborate in lens-based installation work since 2004.
Annica Karlsson Rixon recieved a Master of Fine Art in 1997 from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. Her undergraduate studies was accomplished at the Nordic School of Photography in Stockholm, Sweden 1988. Currently she is participating in the doctorial program at the School of Photography, at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Gothenburg. Karlsson Rixon held a professor position at the School of Photography, UoG, 2003 - 2007. She has exhibited extensively since the early 1990´s. Anna Viola Hallberg graduated in 2003 from the Curatorial Program, Stockholm University, Sweden. Hallberg has a B.A in Cinema Studies from Stockholm University and is a graduate of Stockholm film school and a Master of Arts in International Museum Studies, University of Gothenburg, 2008, writing her thesis on contemporary art in museum exhibitions outside the paradigm of the art institution. Hallberg has worked both in avant-garde documentary film as well as in advertising in New York and Sweden.
Links:
Annica Karlsson Rixon & Anna Viola Hallberg
http://www.aview.se

Stockholm Pride/Europride 08
www.stockholmpride.org/Feel/Program/Stockholm-Pride--Kulturhuset/State-of-Mind/

Kulturhuset/Exhibition Venue
http://www.kulturhuset.se/default.asp?id=5617

URVEY ON THE DUBLINDECLARATION:

Progress on Implementing the DublinDeclaration on Partnership to Fight HIV/AIDS in Europeand Central Asia; Most vulnerable or at highest risk populations

apologies for cross posting

Both the Russian and English versions will remain live until the end of next week.Please circulate this as widely as possible –especially amongst Russian speaking groups. A full Russian text for circulation AND LINKS to the RUSSIAN language version of the survey appears below the English

We would value your responses if you have not already completed the questionnaire, the English version can be found at; http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=386513429835

Have your voice heard !

The Dublin Declaration [1], signed in 2003 stated that progress towards meeting the articles laid out in the Declaration should be monitored from 2006 onwards.

UNAIDS is producing a report into progress towards implementing Dublin and how to monitor it. The WHO Regional Office for Europe Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV/AIDS programme (SHA) are coordinating the process which includes input from more than 50 UNAIDS cosponsors, government representatives from European Region Member States, the EU and its relevant agencies, non-governmental organizations and community-based organisations.

Terrence Higgins Trust has been tasked with producing a section of this report. I am assisting them

We are concentrating on the commitments made in relation to “most vulnerable or at highest risk” populations. Our aim is to determine a means by which countries’ progress towards implementing the commitments can be assessed, as well as to ‘snapshot’ current progress.

We are seeking non-Governmental and civil society responses and views to supplement existing data, widen involvement and create a fuller picture.

So please fill in the questionnaire. All responses will be kept confidential and only used in aggregated form unless we obtain permission from you.

Please circulate as widely as you wish – and apologies in advance for any repeated or cross-postings. We are happy to receive multiple responses per organisation so do circulate around your work colleagues as well.

In solidarity

Julian V Hows (Michael Bell Associates) julian@mba4consultancy.co.uk

Chris Quince (THT) vol1.pcr@tht.org.uk

PLEASE DO THE SURVEY IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS

[1] The full text of the declaration in English and Russian can be accessed via :

http://www.gnpplus.net/cms/article.php/Dublin_Declaration_2004

Дублинская Декларация по партнерству в борьбе с ВИЧ/СПИДом в Европе …и как отслеживать достижения

Дорогой друг
Дублинская Декларация[1], подписанная вашей страной, гласит, что прогресс в достижении постулатов, изложенных в Декларации, должен отслеживаться, начиная с 2006г.
UNAIDS готовит отчет по достижениям в области воплощения в жизнь Дублинской Декларации и возможностей её мониторинга. Программа борьбы с инфекциями, передаваемые половым путем/ВИЧ/СПИДом (SHA) Европейского Регионального Бюро ВОЗ является координатором процеса включающем собранием информации с больше чем 50 UNAIDS коспонсоров, представителей правителств государств Европейского региона, Европейского Союза и соответсвующих его агенств, негосудерственных и общественных организации.
Terrence Higgins Trust отвечает за создание одной из глав этого отчета.
Наше внимание сосредоточено на обзоре некоторых обязательств, взятых в связи с группами населения "подверженными наибольшему риску".
Наша цель заключается в определении методов, посредством которых страны смогут измерить прогресс в осуществлении взятых на себя обязательств, а также "обзор" достижений на данный момент.
Нас интересуют ответы и мнение гражданского общества с целью дополнения существующих данных, расширения вовлечения и создания наиболее полной картины.
Мы разрабатываем краткий опросник, и будем весьма признательны, если вы найдете время и заполните его. Все ответы останутся конфиденциальными и будут использованы только в обобщенной форме, за исключением тех случаев, в которых вы дадите своё согласие.
Английская версия доступна по адресу: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=386513429835

Русская версия доступна по адресу: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=749643524428
Английская версия будет доступна в реальном времени, начиная со среды, 14 марта 2007г., а русский вопросник будет доступен в реальном времени, начиная с 19 марта.

Основу нашего отчета составят результаты данного опроса.
Ваши ответы помогут нам составить общую картину прогресса, достигнутого в этой области на сегодняшний день, выявить наилучшие примеры и рекомендовать методы измерения этих достижений.
Просим вас отправить опросник как можно большему числу людей на ваше усмотрение – и заранее просим извинить за возможные повторные запросы.
В солидарность
Chris Quince (THT) vol1.pcr@tht.org.uk
Julian V Hows (Michael Bell Associates) julian@mba4consultancy.co.uk
________________________________________
[1] Полную текстовую версию декларации на английском и русском языках можно найти по адресу: http://www.gnpplus.net/cms/article.php/Dublin_Declaration_2004

The Schoolmates project is a trans-national project promoted by Arcigay (the Italian lesbian and gay association) in partnership with COLEGA Madrid, KPH Warsaw and the City of Vienna. The project is co-financed by the European Commission in the framework of the Daphne II programme.

Main objective of the project will be the development and enhancement of tools and competencies that students and school-workers can apply to make their school a safer environment for gays and lesbians and, more in general, every student exposed to psychological or physical violence.

To learn more about this project, please visit the Website.

The Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services invites scholars, practitioners, researchers, lay persons, young persons, and policy analysts from different backgrounds to submit abstract proposals for this special theme issue and book on homophobic bullying. We are interested in first-personal accounts (recent or past) of experiences with anti-gay bullying or effective approaches to combat such behavior. For purposes of this volume, we define homophobic bullying as a long-term relationship built on acts of repeated aggression performed by a more powerful subject against a victim who is somehow less powerful, which is related to the victim’s and/or victimizer’s actual or presumed sexual or gender identity.

We are interested in a variety of topics related to homophobic bullying in various institutional contexts such as schools, the workplace, families, religious groups, military and government agencies, youth-related or non-government organizations. Articles on homophobic bullying occurring outside of institutional contexts (e.g., first person accounts) are also welcomed. Authors are asked to describe implications of their work for helping professionals of all kinds, including school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, educators, and all those who must help children and adolescents deal with the practical implications of bullying “trauma” inflicted on the young.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO SUBMIT ABSTRACT, CONTACT JamesT.Sears, PhD: jglie@jtsears.com

The Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services invites scholars, practitioners, researchers, lay persons, and policy analysts from different backgrounds to submit abstract proposals for this special theme issue and book on mid-life and older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. We are interested in a variety of topics.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION: A 150-250 abstract must be submitted as an electronic copy via a WORD attachment to jglie@jtsears.com. The abstract includes: proposed article title; type of article (e.g., research, practitioner-based, academic scholarship (non-research), personal essay, policy-oriented, etc.); and a synoptic overview. Along with the abstract include complete postal and electronic addresses of all authors with the contact author clearly noted. Abstracts should be submitted no later thanMarch 1, 2007.

Authors of approved abstracts must submit the complete article on or before April 15, 2007, along with the journal release form. Reviews will be completed within 30 days.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO SUBMIT ABSTRACT, CONTACT JamesT.Sears, PhD: jglie@jtsears.com

On 1st of July BGO Gemini launched the project FLAME – Fair Labor Attitude – Measurable Equality. “FLAME – Fair Labor Attitude – Measurable Equality” Project consists of development of Equal Opportunities Code on the workplace jointly by experts and key players on the employment sphere. The project aims at empowering sexual minorities in Bulgaria and improving their position as employees. It also aims to raise awareness in the general society and the employment sector on the anti-discrimination legislation. The main target groups of the project are sexual minorities and most commonly discriminated social groups in Bulgaria. Activities also target at employers, policy makers and public authorities; human rights NGOs in Bulgaria and the general society.
The project seeks to explore possibilities for closer cooperation between the employment sphere and human rights NGOs and facilitate shared learning on the manner in which voluntary codes of antidiscrimination labor practice contribute to better workplace conditions. The project involves joint monitoring and remediation work at 10 Bulgarian companies. These joint activities will incorporate a variety of equality code enforcement methods and strategies and through this work, an extensive analysis of the outcomes, the participating groups will identify “best practices” and develop viable models for ongoing cooperation in terms of equal opportunities provision. The results will be broadly shared.
Purposely, the project includes widely disseminated information encourage active public participation in monitoring actions to combat intolerance; collecting information the type and nature of discrimination based on the stated in the Bulgarian Law for protection against discrimination grounds, specifically focusing on sexual minorities, women namely, disabilities and ethnic minorities through variety of methods; detailed assessment of the current labor conditions situation in the targeted 10 employers as to make comprehensive review of the current policies and practices as to assess the level of correspondence with the Act Against Discrimination and equal opportunities principles. Next to this, training on the Bulgarian antidiscrimination legislation and best practices will be delivered to provide for the full involvement of all involved parties (employers, employees, labor union, etc.). Strategic action plan for provision of all antidiscrimination legislative provisions will follow the training, which will be a management tool in the project implementation. The fulfillment of the strategic plan through the implementation of equal opportunities standard phase will complete final diversity audit by independent expert, who will certify that the requirements of the Bulgarian act against discrimination and the best antidiscrimination labor practices are provided and made operational in the involved in the project employers.
The project is financially supported by the Democracy Commission of the USA Embassy in Bulgaria. The duration of FLAME project is one year.

The project "Diversity Makes Us Richer : Not Poorer" is part of a wider project "Intimate Citizenship: The Right to Have Rights", which is supported by the European Commission's "Promotion of Active European Citizenship" programme.

The purpose of the project is to encourage the debate about the rights related to the issues of intimate citizenship, which is a concept of citizenship that has been developed within citizenship studies as well as gay and lesbian studies, and which answers the question of how an individual's completely private choices and private life affect his or her status and practice of being an equal citizen.

The goals of this project are primarily the endorsement of active tolerance, the debate about gays and lesbians as equal citizens and, above all, the support of the communication and interaction between the general population and gays and lesbians themselves, since the majority of fears, prejudices, stereotypes, and suchlike spring from ignorance.

This project wishes to strengthen the awareness that human rights belong to gays and lesbians too, that tolerance does not mean forcing gays and lesbians into privacy (saying that in their private lives they can do whatever they wish); rather, such an awareness should include the active acceptance of gays and lesbians in everyday life, and the recognition that, after all, European values are based on the acceptance of diversity, and that the rationale behind this is based on the belief that diversity makes us richer, not poorer.

Summer Internship Program June 23 – August 4, 2006 Application Deadline - March 3
The Bulgarian Gay Organisation Gemini is delighted to announce the Summer Internship 2006. Three international volunteers will be given the opportunity to spend six weeks in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia to receive training on work for a human rights NGO, to cooperate on project development, and to take part in research on queer life in Bulgaria.
About the Organisation:
BGO Gemini is a national, non-profit advocacy organisation, operationally based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The mission of the organisation is to reach inclusive social environment for homosexual, bisexual and transgender people in Bulgaria. The organisation works for diminishing of all types of legal, social, cultural and economical discrimination and victimisation against lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people. BGO Gemini maintains good partnership with Bulgarian, international and world organisations, Bulgarian governmental agencies and media.
BGO Gemini provides information on homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender issues. The organisation initiates and participates in national and international initiatives for promotion and defence of human rights and supports lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people and their families to receive equal legal, social and medical treatment. The organisation works for prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Gemini cooperates with Bulgarian state authorities and institutions to ensure diversity inclusion and equality.
Highlights of the volunteer’s work:
- Gain experience working in a national non-governmental organisation.
- Witness the transformation of society in one of Europe’s most ideologically shifting countries.
- Benefit the lives of countless LGBT individuals in a country where this aid is greatly needed.
Program:
- After receiving training in project development and management, collaborate on creation of a national or international project.
- Lead research on the conditions of gay life in Sofia and the rest of Bulgaria.
- Report to Gemini and Bulgarian media on LGBT issues and human rights in Bulgaria and the West.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have fluent written and spoken English
- possess basic computer and Internet skills
- have begun progress in or completed a degree in higher education
- be knowledgeable about contemporary issues of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people
- have experience as an active member, volunteer, officer, or employee of an LGBT OR human rights organization (including university organizations)
- possess excellent organizational skills, dependability, and enthusiasm to work.
To Apply:
Visit Gemini’s webpage for more information, including FAQs and an application! All applications must be submitted by March 3, 2006. All applicants will receive written confirmation of receipt.
Internship FAQs:
How many applicants are selected? What are the details of the selection process? What is the situation regarding LGBT rights in Bulgaria, and what is gay life like? How can a foreign visitor help as an intern? What exactly will I be doing? Will I need a visa for Bulgaria? What financial provisions are given? Will I need to speak Bulgarian? Can I get college credit for my experience? How can I spend my free time? Where can I ask another question?
How many applicants are selected?
Gemini has space for three interns for 2006. Although we coordinate plenty of volunteer work, this is our first year with an official internship program, so we cannot estimate exactly how many applications will we receive. However, the selection process can be expected to be competitive.
What are the details of the selection process?
Once all applications are received by March 3, a committee consisting of our Board and several other individuals will review all applications, and applicants will be notified by March 17 by email.
What is the situation regarding LGBT rights in Bulgaria, and what is gay life like?
The circumstances for LGBT people in Bulgaria are truly in a state of change. Traditionally, Bulgaria is a very patriarchal nation, but after the fall of Communism and more exposure to the West, today’s youth are relatively more progressive than their parents or grandparents. Thus, the rights and opinions regarding LGBT individuals are very controversial.
In general, older adults will regard homosexuality as a disease or condition to be avoided, but youth and more progressive adults realize that they have homosexual friends and peers, and are generally not opposed to this. Apathy, though, largely prevents any kind of active political attack against the LGBT community, but at the same rate, queer people must work hard to better their situation, as the average Bulgarian is somewhat unlikely to take a firm stand either for or against gay rights.
Sofia has several gay clubs and bars, two gay sporting organizations, and a great deal of people participating in the LGBT social situation. However, most of them are not out to other friends or family, and quietly lead the other parts of their lives in the closet. In other cities, the situation is less optimistic, and openly gay people are a rarity. Although a queer person who decides to come out may face a great deal of ostracism from his acquaintances, any physical violence targeted specifically against LGBT people is highly unusual.
How can a foreign visitor help as an intern?
Gemini has a great use for interns from the West! Much of our work is done in English, as we cooperate with international organizations and the European Union, for both of which English is a natural lingua franca. Thus, interns can expect a great deal of experience corresponding with other international organizations and assisting in writing projects. We also hope to establish international ties with other organizations, and your outside experiences can add to our organization. Activities that another LGBT or human rights organization has taken part in can often be adapted for new ideas of projects and works to perform here in Bulgaria!
What exactly will I be doing?
This program will be very valuable both for Gemini and for our foreign interns in establishing connections between Eastern Europe and the West. Interns will be trained in project development, and during the course of the program, will be assisted in writing a project of their own to further ties with Western Europe and the United States. Additionally, interns will be conducting guided research on the current state of Bulgarian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender affairs, with relevance both to governmental laws and also to the actual conditions of life for queer people through interviews and conferences. This will help create an objective report for use by Gemini with the government and other organizations. Essentially, interns will be working as a relatively independent, but guided, team for the duration of the program.
Will I need a visa for Bulgaria?
Visitors from most countries of the European Union can stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days without a visa; however, citizens of the United Kingdom, United States of America and other countries must obtain a visa for stays longer than 30 days. The visa application process for Bulgaria is generally not considered difficult, though. More information can be found at: http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/Consular%20Information/visa/visa.htm.
What financial provisions are given?
Unfortunately, an LGBT rights NGO in Eastern Europe rarely has a great deal of disposable funding, and we will be unable to provide a salary or reimbursement for financial costs of the experience. However, we will be happy to assist with arrangement of accommodation; a small studio apartment can be as low as 150 Euro per month, and a private room in a local residence can easily be found for as low as 50 Euro per month.
Will I need to speak Bulgarian?
No. Sofia is an extremely bilingual city; most people speak enough English to be able to help you with anything you might need, and many restaurants even have English menus. It might be helpful to learn Bulgaria’s alphabet in order to read signs, but this takes only about an hour. Additionally, all work done with the internship will be in English; you will not be thrown into a situation where Bulgarian is needed!
Can I get college credit for my experience?
Unfortunately, Gemini does not have the qualifications to grant such credit. However, some universities allow students to create a program within their university to which they can apply outside volunteer experience. Talk to your advisor or dean if you think you would like to try this option.
How can I spend my free time?
In the evenings, Bulgarians enjoy relaxing in bars and restaurants after work, and your weekends will mostly be free for whatever you feel like doing. You may decide to go hiking in the nearby mountains, take a day trip to nearby city or village, or see the many attractions around Sofia. As Sofia is a capital city, there will be plenty to do!
Where can I ask another question?
Please feel free to ask us anything else you might be wondering about at office@bgogemini.org
Download the Application Form from http://www.bgogemini.org/eng/Internship_Application.doc

The EU programme Equal is promoting new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market. A new round of Equal was launched in 2004, and a number of projects have now been approved for the starting phase, during which the projects will consolidate the national and transnational work.

Four new Equal projects are in the process of forming a transnational partnership focussing on the discrimination ground sexual orientation. The projects are:

• ”Deledios” (France)
• ”Open and Safe at Work.lt” (Lithuania)
• ”Partnership for Equality” (Slovenia)
• ”Beneath the Surface” (Sweden).

Although the scope of each project differs – e.g. the Lithuanian project focuses on young people and the labour market in general, while the Swedish project focuses on the working environment of schools – the four projects have a lot in common: they all have an interest of awareness raising and capacity building in organisations, institutions and social partners, focusing on sexual orientation issues related to working life, both on a national and on EU level. They want to create an inclusive environment, collect and disseminate good practice, carry out research, foster partnership and develop sustainable networks on all levels.

The partnership will be built on three different pillars, formed as working groups, which will focus on different parts of the projects scope and activities.

The objective of the Research Group is to learn more of how the heterosexual norm is constructed and repeated in different areas of working life. The Communication/Policymaking Group will, with a clear EU perspective, work to raise awareness and make sustainable change of discriminatory structures in society and among social partners. The Experience Exchange Group will work to establish sustainable communication between similar organisations and institutions in the participating countries, in order to make sure that key actors can benefit from good practice, methods and policies developed and used in other countries.

On condition that the partners are approved for the next phase of Equal, the partnership will go on until spring 2007. In 2005 a joint information leaflet will be published, and the partners will develop web sections in English on their respective web pages. Communication and policymaking activities as well as experience exchange will go on continuously. Conferences will be held in France 2005, Sweden 2006 (research conference) and Lithuania 2006. A final conference, where conclusions will be presented, will be held in Slovenia in 2007. Reports on research and other project activities/conclusions will be presented during the project period.

In this transnational partnership, many organisations from different countries and from different sectors in working life (NGOs, trade unions, employers’ organisations and companies) will unite in spreading the same message in a strategic way. They all want to contribute to positive progress on sexual orientation issues related to working life, both on national level and on EU level. They all are eager to start the transnational cooperation – as soon as the national representatives of the European Social Fund have given their approval, which is expected before summer.