LGBTI equality and human rights in Europe and Central Asia

Anniversary 15th Annual Conference of ILGA-Europe to take place in Turin

The 15th Annual Conference of ILGA-Europe begins on 27 October 2011 in Turin, Italy. It is the largest gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) activists in Europe. 343 delegates from 43 European countries will take part in the Conference.

Media Release
Annual Conference
Italy
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Posted: 26 October 2011

At the core of the conference are cutting-edge debates exploring its theme - "Human Rights and "Traditional Values": clash or dialogue?” The rhetoric questioning the compatibility of human rights and so-called traditional values happens all too often in our work at local, national, European levels. Distinguished speakers and guests will explore what traditional values are, whether they are in conflict with human rights of LGBTI people, and what the LGBTI movement’s strategy should be with regards to the rise of social conservatism in Europe.

The conference programme includes over 30 thematic workshops, panel debates with experts and self-organised spaces. Our Annual Conference is also a unique opportunity for LGBTI activists and experts from across Europe to get together for cutting-edge debates, share experiences and best practices on tackling discrimination and advancing equality and human rights for LGBTI people, as well as celebrating achievements and sketching future projects, strategies and tactics.

The Conference participants will explore the Conference theme with a number of distinguished speakers from various backgrounds and movements:

Panel 1 - LGBTI Politics Panel Debate

  • Anna Grodzka, newly elected and the first openly trans Member of Polish Parliament, president of Trans-Fuzja, trans rights organisation in Poland
  • Robert Biedroń, newly elected and the first openly gay Member of Polish Parliament, president of Campaign Against Homophobia, leading Polish LGBT rights organisation
  • Robin Brand, deputy executive director at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute.

Panel 2 - Traditional Values and Human Rights Panel

  • Emma Bonino, Vice President and Member of the Italian Senate, formerly European Commissioner for Health & Consumer Protection and Member of the European Parliament.
  • George Tugushi, Georgian Ombudsman.

Panel 3 - LGBTI History Panel

  • Jeff Dudgeon, won the landmark Dudgeon vs UK case at the European Court of Human Rights in 1981. The judgment led to de-criminalisation of consenting same-sex sexual acts to Europe
  • Joke Swiebel, former Member of the European Parliament for the Dutch Labour Party and Chair of the EP Intergroup on LGBT Rights
  • Angelo Pezzana, founder of the first Italian gay liberation movement “Fuori!”

ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference is also the organisation’s General Assembly and the Executive Board will provide reports on the organisation’s achievements and activities over the last year. The Conference will also elect the next Executive Board.

This year’s Annual Conference enjoys the patronage of the Italian Senate, Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, Minister of Equal Opportunities, the Municipality of Turin, the province of Turin and Esperienza Italia 150º.

This year’s Annual Conference is organised in cooperation with the Organising Committee of the 15th ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference in Turin.