Erasmus+ youth exchange “PRIDE: People’s Right is to Deserve Equality” took place in Malta on the 1st of July – 6th of August, 2021. The mobility gathered 28 participants from (Malta, Italy, Lithuania, France, and Hungary). The project’s general aim was to raise youth awareness on LGBTQ+ issues. We believe that knowledge is a weapon against ignorance which usually leads to fear or hate. To tackle this vicious spiral, it is necessary to educate on this subject and educate the youth on such a crucial topic.
Inspiration of the Project
The LGBTQ+ community is among the most vulnerable minorities. Even though homosexuality is legal in all European states, the LBGTQ+ community still has to encounter unfavorable public opinions, legal problems, and other difficulties. Therefore, it is not surprising that LGBTQ+ individuals face serious health issues linked to societal discrimination and the denial of their human rights.
Although Europe is one of the most equality-advanced continents, LGBTQ+ individuals are disadvantaged as they suffer from inequalities and social exclusion. Due to these social challenges, LGBTQ+ (and more particularly youth) are at risk for mental health issues like anxiety, the feeling of isolation, and depression. Moreover, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience homelessness and suffer drug addiction. All these factors cause a higher risk of committing suicide (LGBTQ+ youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide).
Thus, gender and sexual orientation issues are one of the priorities of this century. People who are unaware and do not understand the LGBTQ+ issues tend to have prejudices, which can quickly turn into fear or hatred. It is necessary to educate the youth on such vital topics, raise awareness and promote open-mindedness and respect for everyone regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or how they express it.
Objectives of the Project
Project’s Activities
Project’s Sucess
The project “PRIDE: People’s Right is to Deserve Equality” was a success. Participants have learned about the LGBTQ+ communities worldwide and their history and current situations, social inclusion problems in Europe, how to mentally deal with all the discrimination that comes with being LGBTQ+ individual in Europe. Moreover, participants learned about the tools that can help them promote the following values: tolerance, respect, freedom in an intercultural context, and overall – Human Rights. In addition, allowed them to feel comfortable with their gender and sexual orientation and increased their self-esteem.
Furthermore, participants learned and acquired knowledge on issues of the LGBTQ+ communities in EU countries such as Hungary and Malta. Workshops on topics such as “Sex Education” were given to the participants to create awareness around “Sex Ed” in a rich non-formal way. Participants also improved their skills in discussing and bringing up such topics in a formal format and daily life in today’s modern world. Participants will use these skills in their everyday lives to fight against homophobia and discrimination.
Project’s schedule, activities and materials
LGBTQ Movies we recommend you to watch
Bad Education (2004)
In this movie, you will be able to get a closer look at sexuality through the eyes of a filmmaker “Enrique Goded” reflecting on childhood sexual victimization and the trauma of closeting sexual orientation.
120 BPM (2017)
In this movie, you will be able to get a closer look at the impact of Activism and how a group of Young LGBTQ individuals managed to make noise and be heard during a very critical time in the 1990s known as Aids Epidemic.
Milk (2008)
In this movie, you will be able to get a closer look at the life of the Activist and the Politician Harvey Milk, his story, and his fight to become California’s first openly gay official to be elected to public office.
Saving Face (2004)
In this movie, you will be able to get a closer look at the life of LGBTQ+ individuals from consecutive environments (minority groups in the USA) and the struggle for the main characters to be in a same-sex relationship.
Trembling Before G-d (2001)
In this movie, you will be able to get a closer look and understanding of LGBTQ individuals from religious backgrounds, the profound dilemma they face, and the constant struggle to co-exist in both of these communities.
Country Situation
🇲🇹 Malta
Malta (when it comes to the freedoms and the rights given to the LGBTQ+ Community) ranks 1st in Europe.
How’s Malta doing overall when it comes to LGBTQ+ Human Rights?
According to Ilga-Europe: Malta Overall Score is 94%In a breakdown of the overall score, you would find Malta providing:
– Marriage equality
– Hate crime and hate speech laws
– Non-binary recognitionAnd holding back in:
– Health (gender identity)
– Constitution (sex characteristics)
– Blood donations🇱🇹 Lithuania
Lithuania (when it comes to the freedoms and the rights given to the LGBTQ+ Community) ranks 34th in Europe.
How’s Lithuania doing overall when it comes to LGBTQ+ Human Rights?
According to Ilga-Europe: Lithuania Overall Score is 23%
In a breakdown of the overall score, you would find Lithuania providing:
– Employment (sexual orientation)
– Hate crime and hate speech laws
– Protection when LGBTQ+ public events are heldAnd holding back in:
– Marriage equality
– Non-binary recognition
– Blood donations🇭🇺 Hungary
Hungary (when it comes to the freedoms and the rights given to the LGBTQ+ Community) ranks 28th in Europe.
How’s Hungary doing overall when it comes to LGBTQ+ Human Rights?
According to Ilga-Europe: Hungary Overall Score is 23%In a breakdown of the overall score, you would find Hungary providing:
– Education (sexual orientation)
– Hate crime and hate speech laws
– Cohabitation and registered partnerships (similar rights to marriage)And holding back in:
– Protection when LGBTQ+ public events are held
– Non-binary recognition
– Blood donations
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy (when it comes to the freedoms and the rights given to the LGBTQ+ Community) ranks 35th in Europe.
How’s Italy doing overall when it comes to LGBTQ+ Human Rights?
According to Ilga-Europe: Italy Overall Score is 23%In a breakdown of the overall score, you would find Italy providing:
– Blood donations (gender identity)
– Registered partnership (similar rights to marriage)
– Protection when LGBTQ+ public events are heldAnd holding back in:
– Marriage equality
– Hate crime and hate speech laws
– Non-binary recognition🇫🇷 France
France (when it comes to the freedoms and the rights given to the LGBTQ+ Community) ranks 13th in Europe.
How’s France doing overall when it comes to LGBTQ+ Human Rights?
According to Ilga-Europe: France Overall Score is 57%In a breakdown of the overall score, you would find France providing:
– Health and education (gender identity)
– Marriage equality
– Hate crime and hate speech lawsAnd holding back in:
– Employment (sex characteristics)
– Non-binary recognition
– Blood donations
Ted Talks you should watch
This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around the World
In this video, you will widen your knowledge about the situations of the LGBT community around the world from the perspective of an LGBT Couple that traveled the world looking for the “Super Gays” LGBTQ individuals that are active in their communities to fight discrimination and homophobia and create safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals of their country.
Moving Beyond the Binary of Sex and Gender
In this video, the speaker “Ugla Stefanía” focuses on gender fluidity and shares their personal story and struggle with Gender and the idea of Gender conformity, and how they believe that the typical ideas of gender have to change due to the negative impact it creates on people and societies.
Rainbow Blood: The Need of an Evidence-Based Blood Donation Policy in Sweden
In this video, the speaker “Tobias Ström” focuses on the issue of blood donations for LGBTQ+ Individuals and Gay Men and how in a good majority of countries in Europe Blood Donations for Gay Men is illegal and forbidden due to (risk factors), this claim is addressed by the speaker and he goes into details to explain how this law is outdated, and the crucial need to change it now.