The Raising awareness for Inclusive Societies to Embrace rainbow families in Europe (R.I.S.E) project, has emerged from partners’ drive to challenge de facto recognition of LGBT families’ rights in Lithuania, Latvia,Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia through promoting diversity and improving social acceptance of LGBT families and to ensure the full enjoyment of the right of freedom of movement within the EU of LGBT citizens by increasing civic understanding on consequences of existing national legislation in socio-economic conditions and quality of life of same sex couples. According to various international surveys, the legal/institutional framework and the social climate towards fundamental human rights for LGBT individuals in LT, LV, PL, RO, BG and SK, remain to be highly problematic. All the 6 countries are ranked below 30 out of 49 European nations in terms of civil and political rights for LGBT* people (i.e. the last six countries EU countries for respect of human rights and full equality) in the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map 2017.
Objectives:
- To foster diversity and improve social acceptance of LGBT families in LT, LV, PL, RO, BG, SK societies
- To increase civic understanding on consequences of existing national legislations in the quality of life of LGBT couples
- To strengthen the capacity of government officials and advocate for LGBT inclusive legislation
- To promote active citizenship among local LGBT members and the EU commitment non-discrimination, right to respect for family life and free movement for LGBT families
Activities:
- “Daily Life Challenges” Assessment
- Advocacy and Lobbying interventions
- Positive Role Model campaign
- Dissemination and awareness rising on LGBT families discourse
Expected results:
- Increased awareness on non-discriminatory portrayal of LGBT families among general population
- Improved knowledge of government officials on daily life challenges of LGBT families
- Increased support from LGBT community and allies on same-sex couple issues
- Better equipped LGBT people with information on right to respect for family life and free movement in EU