Back in Canada, some fifteen Canadian ACTIF’s partner organizations took part in a working session to identify the key messages to come out of the Conference. Here are a few of them:
Given the state of LGBTQI+ rights around the world, it’s crucial not only to increase funding, but also to ensure that the money can be used as effectively as possible. To meet the needs of communities, funding must be flexible, predictable and sustainable. In particular, they should be able to be used to enable LGBTQI+ rights defenders to participate in networking events.
Francophone activists need dedicated spaces to exchange on the specific challenges they face in their work, including within the global LGBTQI+ movement. As part of the ILGA Conference, francophones took part in discussion sessions on francophone participation and best practices in international forums.
LGBTQI+ rights defenders document or experience human rights violations on a daily basis, which poses significant risks to their well-being. With the rise of anti-gender movements, it’s all the more important to raise awareness and equip activists to take care of their mental health. During the conference, a number of good practices were put forward: providing rest areas, offering free psychological support sessions, celebrating successes, etc.
The LGBTQI+ movement is becoming increasingly inclusive, particularly with regard to the participation of women, Trans and intersex people. But we must continue to act proactively to lower the barriers to participation for people with disabilities, Indigenous people, people living in conflict zones, etc. At the ILGA conference, several strategies favoured inclusion: scholarships and financial support for participants, pre-conference sessions bringing together under-represented groups, translation into several languages, menus adapted to different needs, accessible rooms, etc.
It’s fundamental that there are dedicated spaces that allow LGBTQI+ organizations to come together. However, it is also crucial to support LGBTQI+ activists so that they are present, visible and heard in different human rights spaces, and to ensure that events where equality and non-discrimination are discussed – whether in employment, health, education or otherwise – are inclusive of LGBTQI+ people.
Organizations need to be well informed about networking spaces for the advancement of LGBTQI+ rights, including at local, regional and international levels, in order to better plan their calendar of activities and advocacy strategies. Moreover, given that not all organizations have the capacity to participate in these events, it is important to disseminate the learnings and best practices that emerge from these encounters.