On 8 and 9 May, Labris organized a two-day gathering at Hotel Tamiš in Pančevo for representatives of civil society organizations and media, focusing on violence in same-sex relationships among LBTQ women.
The training brought together representatives of women’s organizations from different local communities to strengthen a support network in which every LBTQ woman knows she is not alone and that there is a safe place where she can seek help. Representatives from Udruženje Roma Novi Bečej, Uspešne žene Kostolca, Infoteka 13 (CK13) Novi Sad, Žensko udruženje Kolubarskog okruga, and Osnažene attended the training; these organizations support women through their work and contribute to advancing human rights in their local communities. Particular emphasis was placed on building connections with local organizations so that they can be open and sensitive to the experiences of LBTQ women experiencing violence, while also becoming familiar with available support services and referral pathways to further forms of assistance.
An important part of the gathering was also the participation of representatives of Zoomer, LiceUlice and Medijskog istraživačkog centra Niš, recognizing that responsible, accurate and sensitive reporting has a significant impact on understanding violence in same-sex intimate relationships, as well as on the willingness of people experiencing violence to seek support.
Over the two days, participants discussed different identities, the specific nature of intimate partner violence within LBTQ communities, as well as existing protection systems and mechanisms. A special part of the program was the Living Library, which provided an opportunity to better understand, through the personal experiences of people with different identities, the challenges they face in their everyday lives.
Gatherings such as this contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experiences, strengthening cooperation and building a support network that can play a key role in providing assistance to LBTQ women experiencing intimate partner violence.
