“We For Civil Equality” NGO, ARMENIA

2008 APRIL NEWS

 Meeting with experts

  In April our organization has been visited the international independent expert Daniel Shershen. He has been advised to visit our organization by the two international organizations with their initiative. His mission included to get acquainted not only with the way our organization has passed, but also with the future programs. He particularly discussed the present programs of the organization, the areas of our activities.

The international independent expert’s first evaluation was positive and he has promised to present his final evaluation to the international public as soon as possible.

Education on heteronormativity

  Our organization has participated to the special study session on the issues of heteronormativity in the higher education from April 21-27 in the Youth Center of the Council of Europe in Budapest organized by ANSO and Council of Europe. Our organization has been chosen out of 80 organizations, considering our expertise.

On the final phase of the session our organization with the participants of Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland, Finland and Bulgaria has submitted the project proposal which has been directed to the awareness rising among the students. The project has been praised by the participants and our organization once more has evidenced its expertise and success.

STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention activities

In April a group counselling have been organized on the topic of sexually transmitted infections, particularly about trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes by the HIV/AIDS prevention team in order to promote preventive behaviour of LGBT community members. 15 LGBT community members have participated to the counselling – 9 men and 6 women.

As reported LBT Peer educator information about HIV and other STI has been provided to 10 LBT representatives while doing outreach work during the reporting period. During the reporting period 25 MSM have been consulted by the GBT peer educator. 28 MSM as well as 5 lesbians have been consulted by the outreach worker. GBT and LBT peer educators, as well as the LGBT Outreach Worker have met them at the usual places of their gatherings – discos, clubs, public toilets, and neutral places, some of them they have met online and arranged meetings. They have presented to the LGBT community members they have met the mission, main goals and objectives of the “We for civil equality” NGO and presented them main works which are being done in the frames of the “Prevention and Empowerment in the NIS” Program. During all the meetings information has been provided about the ways of transmission of HIV and other STI, as well as how to prevent them. Their concerns have been answered.

In April 12 leaflets have been distributed by the LBT Peer Educator, 25 leaflets – by the GBT Peer Educator and 35 leaflets by the LGBT Outreach Worker.

Socio-Psychological Activities

In the frames of socio-psychological program special film evening was organized and 12 beneficiaries have participated to the event.

10 representatives of the LBT community have been sent to personal medical voluntary counselling and testing. 5 representatives of the LGBT community (3 consulted by the outreach worker, 1 - by the GBT Peer Educator and 1 - by the LBT Peer Educator) have been consulted to have psychological counselling.

2008 March News

International Logistics

Considering the specifics of the participating countries of the PRECIS program, it is impossible to organize any meeting in Armenia. Due to this problem our organization did not have the chance to organize international events. In February during PRECIS Project Directors Annual Meeting in Istanbul our organization has offered to become the organizer of the coming training. The offer has been accepted by all and it was decided to organize the training in Istanbul.

Thus, first time “We For Civil Equality” NGO participated in a role of International Logistic. There were many difficulties and obstacles, however the training has been organized and held on a very high level and later as it has been evaluated by the participants “ It was Number 1 training of the PRECIS” and “ It was the first training of the PRECIS and that there was nothing to alleviate and that could be considered as the BEST PRACTICE of PRECIS”

Certificate

  About 1.5 years our organization has been advised to issue certificates to the participants of the trainings in the frames of the PRECIS Program. This year during PRECIS Project Directors Annual Meeting in Istanbul in February our organization was more decisive and offered to use our experience in the frames of the PRECIS program, which is:

For the participation to the trainings the participants should present a letter of motivation.

1. The organization should create a Selection Committee to discuss the suggestions.
2. The participation to the trainings should include more than 80%.
3. The participants should do final evaluation of the training.
4. The participant should pass the knowledge he/she has gained during the training to other members of the organization or should inform it through the website of the organization (all the organizations have websites) or in the newspapers (most of the organizations have newspapers).

Considering our organization’s this experience as the best practice and thus considering some specifics of the organizations, Committee of Directors has accepted the points 2, 3 and 4.

So, the participants of the training “HIV/AIDS Pre- and post-test counseling” held in Istanbul from 23-29 have got certificates first time.

STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention activities

During the March 2 group counselling have been organized, first one on the topic of sexually transmitted infections by the HIV/AIDS prevention team in order to promote preventive behavior of community members and the second one about “coming out” by the psychologist.

Information about HIV and other STIs has been provided to 27 GBT representatives and to 15 WSW by the LBT peer educator and to 34 MSM by the outreach worker. GBT and LBT peer educators have met them at the usual places of their gatherings – discos, clubs, public toilets, and neutral places, some of them they has met online and arranged meetings. They have presented them the mission, main goals and objectives of the “We for civil equality” NGO and presented them main works which are being done by the program “Prevention and Empowerment in the NIS”. During all the meetings information was provided about the ways of transmission of HIV and other STI, as well as how to prevent them. Their concerns have been answered.

During the reporting month 16 leaflets have been distributed by the GBT peer educator, 17 leaflets – by the LBT educator and 47 leaflets by the outreach worker.

9 representatives of the LGBT community (8 men and 1 woman) have been sent to personal medical voluntary counselling and testing.

Socio-Psychological Activities

  6 (1 consulted by the outreach worker and 5- by the GBT peer educator) representatives of GB and 4 representatives of LB communities have been consulted to have psychological counselling.

In the frames of socio-psychological program special film evening was organized and 9 beneficiaries have participated to that event. Time to time staff meetings have been organized in order to clarify the details of the works.

Psychologist has continued the on-line, hotline and face to face counsulling

Advocacy and lobby Activities

A group discussion on the topic “ What changes in Armenian legislation the LGBT would like to see implemented in Armenia”. The discussion clarified that there are discrimination in all fields against LGBT persons. There is a need in awareness rising to change the negative attitude towards LGBT people by general public. LGBT people are being harassed even by the society. Another big problem is discrimination while getting jobs and at the work places, so there is a need in some changes in the employment code. There is also a need to implement everybody’s right to education without discrimination on any ground, as many LGBT persons are dropped out of Universities on the basis of their sexual orientation. LGBT persons are discriminated everywhere – at the places of leisure, shops and even hospitals: there is a need in anti-discrimination law which would protect their equal rights. The names of gays and transvestites are being published and discussed publicly, which is violation of the right to privacy. They are being detained due to their sexual orientation which is actually violation of law. There are cases of gay suicides. They are deprived of their rights even in their families.

The final report of the “Armenian LGBT Human Rights Campaign” funded by ILGA-Europe has been written and submitted for the evaluation.

2008 Feruary NEWS

 FOCUS GROUP: Lesbian and Bisexual woman situation in Armenia

 During 2008 “We For Civil Equality” NGO have planned many activties on woman issues inclusive

1. Training on woman health
2. Survey on LBT situation in Armenia
3. Leaflet on WSW and on LBT issues in Armenia

To organized these events according community needs and to have community based strategy and policy “We For Civil Equality” NGO has planned same focus groups. The first one take in february with LB representatives to approve future activities.

MONITORING VISIT: 2008 First Monitoring visit

From 10 to 16 February the International Consultant, head of Moldavian GenderDoc M NGO has monitoring visit in Armenia. This was organizational and financial monitoring half year visit according annual plan. There were organized several meetings inclusive individual and group meetings with local and regional LGBT communities. The monitoring report will be available in the end of March.

FEBRUARY 14: In the 14th February three big events took place in Yerevan and in LGBT History of Armenia

 1. The first time many NGOs, governmental Institutions, international organizations and individuals convoke together to discuss LGBTIQ issues in Armenia. The main aim of this round table was to create professional network to tackle together HIV/AIDS and LGBTIQ issues in Armenia. Several topics will be discussed:

• “We For Civil Equality” NGO mission, vision, activities.
• LGBTIQ situation in Armenia
• HIV/AIDS situation in Armenia
• LGBTIQ as High Risk Group
• MSM, WSW
• Human Rights Context
• Access to health care and services
• Socio - Psychological issues
• Educational programs
• Policy approach
• Civil society

 There were many presentations:

1. Dr. K. BADALYAN, “We For Civil Equality” NGO, President “We For Civil Equality” NGO mission, vision, activities. LGBTIQ situation in Armenia.

2. A. POGHOSYAN, “We For Civil Equality” NGO, GBT Peer Educator GBT Situation in Armenia

3. E. GHEVONDYAN, “We For Civil Equality” NGO, LBT Peer Educator LBT Situation in Armenia

4. A. SIMONYAN “We For Civil Equality” NGO, Socio-Psychological Program Officer Armenian LGBTIQ Communities Socio-Psychological Aspects

5. R. DAVTYAN “Education in the Name of Health” NGO General overview on MSM situation in Armenia

6. R. OHANYAN Republican AIDS Prevention Center General overview and MSM situation on HIV/AIDS context

7. SH. KOCHARYAN, LBT Community Volunteer LBT Communities Situation in Armenia before and after “We For Civil Equality” NGO

There were representatives of 4 international organizations, 7 local NGOs and many representatives of local and regional LGBT Communities.

1. Red Cross
2. Norwegian Helsinki Committee
3. UMCOR
4. GenderDocM, IC
5. ARMAVIA CJSC
6. Real World Real People NGO
7. Education in the Name of Health, NGO
8. Hope and Help, NGO
9. New Armenia, NGO
10. PINK, NGO
11. etc

 Mass Media representatives:

1. Big City Life
2. Yes

 The meeting was also professional environment to meet LGBT Communities representatives and share their needs, problems and for organizations’ representatives to take a step for strategy and partnership on advocacy and lobby LGBT Human Rights in Armenia.

2. LGBTIQ Counselling and Informational Centre. In Yerevan city downtown LGBTIQ Counselling and Informational Centre was established. This is the unique place where people with common ideas, lifestyle and problems can meet each other, share information and have support and assistance on medical, psychological and social issues. In LGBTIQ CIC opening day a special official opening ceremony and welcome evening were held. There were about 100 invited from Local, Regional, International NGO, Governmental institutions, individuals, LGBT Communities members.

“We For Civil Equality” NGO, its history, mission, vision, activities, services, staff, strategy, policy were introduced. There were speeches on special aspects: 1. Dr. K. BADALYAN, “We For Civil Equality” NGO, President “We For Civil Equality” NGO: the Yesterday, the today, the Tomorrow

2. V. MCHITARYAN, GBT communities volunteer GBT Situation in Armenia before “We For Civil Equality” NGO and after.

3. SH. KOCHARYAN, LBT communities volunteer LBT Situation in Armenia before “We For Civil Equality” NGO and after.

4. Dr. K. BADALYAN, “We For Civil Equality” NGO, President A. MARCHICOV, “GenderDocM” NGO President

PRECIS Project, PRECIS – ARMENIA

5. The day successes were celebrated in “Cheers!” Club on Safer Sex Promotion Party with about 80 guests.

2008 First PTF

 From 27th February to 1st March the PRECIS Project 2008 first Program Tasks Force took place in Istanbul, Turkey. The program coordinators from each organization were represented with COC, ILGA and GDM MT members. This was the first time Armenian “We For Civil Equality” NGO went to PTF meeting without any questions and left also without questions.

“We For Civil Equality” NGO, ARMENIA

JANUARY NEWS

 NEW OFFICE IN YEREVAN CITY CENTER

From 1 st January 2008 “We For Civil Equality” NGO moved to the new office just in the heart of Yerevan City, 3 minutes from Republic Square. This not only staff administrative office but also Comm unity Centre named LGBTIQ Informational and Counseling Center (ICC).

The main aim of the community centre is providing a safe and alternative place for LGBT communities to develop a feeling of unity within the different sub-communities . The resource centre includes informational, educational and entertainment material for LGBT.

The new office and LGBTIQ ICC will be officially presented on 14th February 2008. We intend to start with:

- Round table on HIV/AIDS and LGBTIQ Issues in Armenia. Several topics will be discussed:

• HIV/AIDS situation in Armenia
• At-risk population, vulnerable groups
• LGBTIQ as High Risk Group
• MSM, WSW
• Prevention in Human Rights Context
• Access to health care and services
• Psychological counseling
• Educational programs
• Policy approach
• Civil society
• “We For Civil Equality” NGO mission, vision, activities.
• Lesbian artist exhibition opening
• Official Welcome Ceremony in ICC
• “We For Civil Equality” NGO and PRECIS Project Presentation

we intend to invite mass media and partner organizations to the official part and continue with a strictly community-only celebration later on at the Safer Sex Promotion Party .

“We For Civil Equality” NGO became a member of ILGA!

 Since 25 January 2008 “We For Civil Equality” NGO became a full member of ILGA. The International Lesbian and Gay Association is a world-wide network of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people everywhere.
Founded in 1978, it now has more than 600 member organisations. Every continent and over 90 countries are represented. ILGA member groups range from small collectives to national groups and entire cities.

ILGA is to this day the only international non-profit and non-governmental community-based federation focused on presenting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation as a global issue

TRAINING EVALUATION

Subject: “HIV/AIDS. Prevention on Human Rights Context”

In December 2007 training on “HIV/AIDS. Prevention on Human Rights Context” was organized. The main aim of the training course was to provide basic knowledge on STDs, HIV/AIDS Prevention in LGBTIQ groups, actual situation in Armenia and in the world, medical aspects,
socio-psychological issues, counselling, HIV positive people human rights,
and nuances in work with LGBTIQ community representatives.

An announcement was in Armenian informational gateway www.careercenter.am, as well as in our web site.

We received more than 65 applications.

Specially formed selection committee (3 members) after CV consideration, proposed to short list candidates to send a motivation letter, then selection committee contacted all applicants by phone for a short interview and finally 23 participants were chosen from Yerevan and Armenian regions, from NGO representatives and our target group.

It was international training because of participants from India and Russia. Training geography include also 3 marzs of Armenia – Lori, Gegharkounik, Armavir with NGO representatives.

Totally 12 NGOs and institutions (National Institute of Health, Red Cross, Eurasia University, American University in Armenia, ArmAvia, SELEN, New Armenia, Hope and Help, Save Children, Trust, Huysi Akunq, FIP, APHA) representatives participated in our training and 11 representatives of local and regional LGBTQ communities.

For participants gender balance was taken into consideration 11 male and 12 female participants.

Training materials in Armenian are available in our site.

During three working days group was informed about STDs, HIV, AIDS prevention, Armenian and world situation, safer sex practice and outreach works, international and Armenian laws on HIV/AIDS field. Our organization mi ssion and vision were introduced.

For certificate all participants passed a test with 30 questions. 80% of all group received more than 83% (Excellent level).

During training 5 project presentations were evaluated and 6 participants get a title HONORARY VOLUNTEER of “We For Civil Equality” NGO.

Training was passed in Armenian President and Government special attention zone – in VIARDO Hotel Complex.

Herewith is participants’ evaluation  

 INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COMPETITION EVALUATION

Subject: “LGBT, HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing”

In March 2008 an international training on “LGBT issues and HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing” will be organized in Turkey, Istanbul in framework of PRECIS project founded by Ministry of Foreign Affaires of the Netherlands.

Two people from Armenia will participate in this international training. “We For Civil Equality” NGO decided that the place will be filled by open competition among organization’s active LGBTIQ volunteers.

To organize and pass the competition “We For Civil Equality” NGO invited American UMCOR NGO. The NGO Unit of UMCOR was established in 1993. It operates as a professional humanitarian agency and is funded largely through grants from US and European government institutions, the United Nations and private donors. At present UMCOR NGO directly implements programs in eleven countries worldwide, including Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Caucasus region.

UMCOR NGO’s two specialists on STD/HIVAIDS issues formed questionnaire-test with 100 questions on LGBTIQ, STD, HIV/AIDS, Sexual behavior, Sexual identity and expression, Gender identity and expression etc. issues. They were introduced to competitions participants by closed, signed and stamped envelopes and only these two representatives of UMCOR know the composition of questionnaire (even no one from “We For Civil Equality” NGO participated on questionnaire writing and no one was informed about)

The competition took place in 31 st January in “We For Civil Equality” NGO office. After 2 hours very difficult competition one representative from G community (score 91 from 100) and one representative from L community (score 73 from 100) were chosen to introduce “We For Civil Equality” NGO and Armenian LGBTIQ communities in this very important international event.

Bon Courage!

“We For Civil Equality” NGO is grateful to UMCOR for professional and transparent competition.

ARMENIA - First Participation in ILGA-Asia Conference!

From 23rd till 27th January “We For Civil Equality” NGO President participated in ILGA-Asia Regional 3rd conference. About 160 lesbian, gay and human rights activists from 12 Asian and non-Asian countries attended the conference which was held in the northern Thai city from Jan 24 to 27. The conference was hosted by the Committee on Lesbigay Rights in Burma (CLRB) and M-Plus, a local gay group which runs a drop-in centre. Armenia was chairing plenary on transgender issues in Asia. A workshop was done on transgender issues and by Armenia’s initiative it was decided that Pan-Asian Transgenders Association will be established. The role of "We For Civil Equality" will be some kind of bridge between Europe and Asia. (Geographically and politically Armenia is a part of Europe but culturally and morality is a part of Asia).

A street parade was held in the city for the first time as over 200 conference attendees, observers and members of the local LGBT
community marched from the Buddhist Centre (Puttastan) to Pantip Plaza
on Saturday night.

LESBIAN Film Discussion Clubbing

In 25th January LESBIAN Film Discussion Clubbing was organized in cinema club in Yerevan city centre. Lesbian issues movie was screened and discussion facilitated by Socio-psychological officer and by guest speakers. Film discussion clubbing contributes to the empowerment of the community, building viable links between different sub-communities, and just safe environment to change ideas and share experiences.