Social Work with People Practicing Same-Sex ... - ILGA Europe

The processes of coordination and consolidation of LGBT movement in 2007–2008 have
resulted in the establishment of three structures:
1. On December 8, 2007 the participants of the Forum of LGBT organizations on
strategic planning, prevention and advocacy work have approved the establishment
of Permanent Reference Group on LGBT Community Issues and MSM-servicing
Projects in Ukraine (PRG on LGBT and MSM) as a consultative expert body on
LGBT/MSM issues to develop joint decisions of recommendation nature. Initially
the PRG consisted of nine members, but later it was expanded to include 10
experts. Provisions on PRG and its personal composition can be found on the
website http://lgbtua.com.
2. On April 18, 2008 the participants of the 1st national conference “Mobilization
and Advocacy of Interests of LGBT Community” have adopted joint resolution on
the necessity to establish the association of LGBT organizations of Ukraine. The
resolution was signed by 35 leaders of LGBT organizations and LGBT activists..
As a follow-up to the document, signed in spring, on December 13, 2008 representatives
of nine Ukrainian LGBT organizations decided upon the establishment of such
association, knows as the “Council of LGBT Organizations of Ukraine”. The mission
of the Council is defined as “achievement of full civic equality and social comfort for
lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in Ukraine; creation of adequate
conditions for comprehensive development and social formation of personality regardless
of his/her sexual orientation and gender identity; contribution to the national response
to epidemic of HIV/AIDS; establishment of LGBT community of Ukraine as politically
and socially active member of civil society”. Currently (as of March 1, 2009), Provisions
on the Council of LGBT Organizations have been adopted; the Council started the
membership admittance process. In terms of the law, the Council is considered as al-
Ukrainian association of non-governmental and charitable organizations, legalized by
the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
3. On June 13, 2008 three gay organizations have signed the agreement on the
establishment of the Union of Gay Organizations of Ukraine. The goal of the
Union was declared as “more effective collaboration and interaction of the Parties
[participants of the Union] in standing up for the rights and interests of gay people
in Ukraine, their mobilization to develop civil society, as well as carrying out effective
prevention of HIV/AIDS/STI”. In terms of the law, the Union of Gay Organizations
was established on the basis of agreement of cooperation between organizations,
and it cannot be considered as independent legal entity. As of March 1, 2009, the
Union of Gay Organizations had four members.
What is the difference between the Council of LGBT Organizations and the Union of Gay
Organizations?
The Council of LGBT Organizations declares LGBT community in its entirety as its target
group; any LGBT organization can become a member of the Council, regardless of its
focus (gay/lesbian, men/women, etc).
Main focus of the Union of Gay Organizations is the work for the benefit of gay
community; at the same time it remains open “for the accession of other parties — LGBT
and gay organizations, that are legal entities, registered according to current legislation
of Ukraine”.
Key priority of the work of the Council of LGBT Organizations is advocacy (protection
of interests and development of civic rights of LGBT), while priority of the Union of Gay
Organizations is to join efforts and to mobilize resources to prevent HIV/AIDS among
men who have sex with men.
Since focuses of both Council of LGBT Organizations and the Union of Gay Organizations
are different, any LGBT organization can simultaneously participate in the work of both
associations without hurting its own programmatic activities. At the same time it
is worthy to mention the position of several local LGBT organizations which by now
(March 1, 2009) decided not to join either coordination structure.
In any case, the processes of consolidation of LGBT movement are underway, and the
life will show, what forms of coordination of LGBT movement (including advocacy
campaigns) with be the optimal ones.
Let us learn more about our
sexuality; let us draw knowledge
from endless stock of world
literature that says everything
about our history, our role in
the society, our struggle and our
triumph. Here we can find books
saying that being a gay is not a
tragedy; saying that despite of
all myths, instilled in us from
early childhood, the things we do
with other men is not lameness
and is not wickedness.
Terry Sanderson, an English
writer, journalist, LGBT
activist. From the book “The
Gay Man's Kama Sutra”
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