23/09/2024 | Writer: Aylime Aslı Demir
According to a report by the Eurocentralasian Lesbian Community, to which Kaos GL from Turkey also contributed, 34 percent of lesbians in Europe have experienced physical or sexual assault in the past five years. The report highlights widespread discrimination in employment and housing as well.
The Eurocentralasian Lesbian Community (EL*C) has published a report on the discrimination faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which aims to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The report, which received support from numerous lesbian-focused organisations across Europe, also features contributions from Kaos GL regarding the situation in Turkey. The research was carried out through field visits to local communities, as well as online surveys and focus groups.
Anti-LGBTI+ propaganda laws restrict freedom of association
The report presents significant findings regarding the discrimination and rights violations faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women across Europe. It highlights that 34 percent of lesbian women have experienced physical or sexual assault in the last five years, with violence and hate crimes being particularly prevalent in public spaces and online.
Moreover, the report emphasizes that freedom of association and freedom of expression are heavily restricted in many countries, particularly due to the impact of anti-LGBTI+ propaganda laws. In addition, it points out that LBQ women’s access to reproductive technologies is often blocked in most countries. The non-recognition of lesbian families in certain regions further complicates family life for many, contributing to broader social and legal challenges.
Discrimination in employment, difficulty in finding housing, homophobia in sport
Some of the key findings of the report are as follows:
*Women also face discrimination in education and employment. 21percent of lesbian women stated that they experienced discrimination at work or when looking for a job.
*In health services, the sexual and reproductive health needs of LBQ women are mostly overlooked, and the lack of adequate training of health professionals further exacerbates this situation.
*LBQ women, who also experience discrimination in terms of housing, have difficulty in finding housing, while sexist and homophobic violence in the sports world continues to be a common problem.
*LBQ refugees face multiple discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and this situation negatively affects their asylum processes.
Good practices from France, Spain and Belgium
In addition to highlighting the discrimination faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women, the EL*C report also presents good practices and details about projects designed to support LBQ women and their communities. These initiatives focus particularly on crucial areas like health and education, showcasing efforts to improve the quality of life and access to services for LBQ individuals across Europe.
For example, both the projects “Tomber la culotte” in France and “Salud integral de la mujeres diversas” from the Fundación 26 Diciembre in Spain aim at disseminating information on the health of lesbians and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. The project “GotoGyneco” in Belgium aims to increase LBQ women’s engagement with gynaecological health, in particular in relation to sexually transmitted infections.
Call to states: Take tangible actions
The EL*C report concludes with a call to states and institutions to implement concrete steps aimed at increasing the visibility of lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women and ensuring their full and equal participation in society. It emphasizes the need for more effective laws, policies, and training programmes at both national and international levels to address ongoing discrimination and to foster inclusivity for LBQ communities. The report urges governments to take tangible actions to protect the rights and well-being of LBQ women across all sectors of life.
Click to read the full text of the report.
Tags: human rights, women, media, life, health
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