Brody's Notes... ILGA-Europe Releases: Different voices, one European movement

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Mar 15 | A week ago Tuesday-March 9th, the ILGA-Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association) organisation released video filmed during the 13th Annual Conference of ILGA-Europe in October 2009 which took place in Malta. The annual conference is the organisation’s largest annual event, gathering together its members, allies and partners. The aim of this video is to provide a simple and clear explanation of what is ILGA-Europe, how it works and why there is a need for such an organisation.

ILGA-Europe is a non-governmental umbrella organisation which represents its members, principally organisations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, at the European level. Its membership comprises around 300 organisations from throughout Europe. ILGA-Europe was established as a separate region of the ILGA in 1996. ILGA itself was founded in 1978.
ILGA-Europe is headquartered in Brussels and has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and participative status at the Council of Europe and receives financial support from the European Commission. It is a member of the Platform of European Social NGOs. 
ILGA-Europe’s stated vision is of a world freed from any form of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; a world where the human rights of all are respected and everyone can live in equality and freedom.

According to its Charter, its mission is:

• to act as a European voice for the rights of those who face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression;
• to promote the right to equality and freedom from discrimination by lobbying and advocacy, and by educating and informing the European and international institutions, media and civil society;
• to strengthen the capacity of European human rights organisations fighting against sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression discrimination to work for equality through their involvement in advocacy, campaigning and networking, the exchange of best practice, the dissemination of information and capacity-building programmes

ILGA-Europe's principal core beliefs & values are listed as:

• Respect and recognition for the fundamental cultural, social and economic as well as civil and political human rights, with particular emphasis on equality and freedom from discrimination, gender equality and the right to self-determination.
• International solidarity and solidarity with other discriminated groups of people, with mutual support in combating oppression and discrimination and fighting for equality both within Europe and with other regions of the world.
• Full, democratic involvement of membership in the development of policies and transparency in accounting for actions taken.
• Respect for diversity and accessibility among LGBT people and within society.

 
Different voices, One European movement - video by and about ILGA-Europe from ILGA-Europe on Vimeo.