December 19, 2013
IGLYO
As the year comes to a close, we in the IGLYO Board and Secretariat want to thank everyone who has supported us and worked together with us for improving the lives of LGBTQ youth and students in Europe.
There has been both progress and setbacks in the fight for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTQ people in the pan-European region, with the situation in Russia being one of the most visible examples of governments not respecting human rights.
Among the more positive stories we can note the success of Lithuanian LGBTQ organisations in securing the right to arrange the Baltic Pride March for Equality through the centre of Vilnius – IGLYO was delighted to march and congratulations once again!
It’s been a productive IGLYO year with two larger events, many external representations at partner organisations’ events, the research project on the effects of LGBTQ-phobic bullying on entering the job market, ambitiously participating in the EU Structured Dialogue on Youth-process, and getting elected to the Council of Europe Advisory Council on Youth for the 2014-2015 mandate, among the many things we’ve done and accomplished in 2013.
Coming up next year is the launch of our research publication on January 28th in the European Parliament and our joint study session Standing Together with OBESSU, the Organising Bureau of School Student Unions, which will be held in Strasbourg at the beginning of March. We also plan to hold a conference on intersectionality in 2014.
We will explore new working methods within our thematic working areas, which are intersectionality, social inclusion and education, which might include working groups like the ones we’ve had so far but might also include short-term task forces focused on specific projects or publications. Check our website regularly for opportunities to get involved in IGLYO projects and events!
We thank the Board Members whose mandate is ending for all their hard work in the past two years and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. We are happy to welcome Alexa, Ani, Eirik and George who will join the Board in 2014.
Happy holidays (if you celebrate any) and a happy new year (if your calendar works that way)!
Queerly yours,
the 2013 IGLYO Board and Secretariat:
Alex, Artiom, Ashot, Helena, Orlaith, Patrick, Roh and Sarah, Euan and Jordan
