According to the report by the Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Situation of LGBT people in Poland”, there is a rapid growth in the number of equality marches organized in Polish cities, however, at the same time, the protection of the right of peaceful assembly is more and more frequently limited, the provision of safety and security to participants of such gatherings is also insufficient. Currently, each marching group must use their own resources. Many of them have neither experience in organizing such gatherings nor sufficient legal knowledge allowing them to fend off attacks of enemies and counterdemonstrators. Many persons involved in such activities must also face activist burnout.
The project aims at sharing knowledge and increasing competencies as well as coordination and communication between particular groups organizing equality marches as well as supporting the Coalition of Marching Cities being created and equipping the groups joining it with knowledge and tools necessary to work effectively in regions in order to improve the situation of LGBTQIA people, counteract activist burnout, and activate new local groups in other cities.
We will organize 2 congresses, an activist camp for the youth, over 20 workshops covering various topics, and legal and psychological support for marching groups. The activities will cover 30 groups and 300 activists from all around the country and contribute to the improvement in the quality of activism for the rights of LGBTQIA people, increase safety of participants of pro-equality public gatherings.
The project is conducted in partnership. The Equality Institute provides a regional perspective necessary for the success of the project, whereas Oslo Pride AS (Norway) supports networking at an international level and the development of the Coalition in terms of knowledge, in particular with regard to building an inclusive program related to marches and coordinating law enforcement services during marches.
