Ukraine and Moldavia Lgbtq people may now assemble in public space, April 2010 >>>

Session 1 response to topics sent from Kharkiv to Kiev
Lezzie Think Tank was held next to the installation as
an open event for all Gogol Fest visitors, September 2009, Kiev, Ukraine
. The LTT as it happened and the notes from it became integrated parts of the installation. In Kiev we combined the LTT and the Leavin Your Traces.
The host organization selected to regroup the topics to themes. Each group made a public presentation of the discussions in the group. This was documented on video by Annica Karlsson Rixon and Anna Viola Hallberg.


T: Academic community/Genderstudies (Pink Group)

R: We know, have it
R: Konn, gender studies, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
R: For work of research associates for the benefit of public opinion.
R: Of course these interactions are needed, because theory without practice is not always effective.
R: Because educational (academic) community can give end-product (scientific thought) for its adaptation and realization, implementation by NGOs.
For justification of changes in state legislation regarding homosexual relationships (for example, need of statistics for justification of changes)
Public educational lectures – so that audience could get the reliable information from professional positive-minded sources.


T: Cooperation between groups/Goals for LGBTQ organizations (Blue group)

R: Big gay organizations, women’s – only 3; many of them declare to be mixed, but mostly work with gay men. Because more money is granted for HIV/AIDS. Many factors affect (such as gender discrimination, different interests).
R: For cooperation, it could help to have joint activities and events, common interests, personal contacts and connections.
R: Forms and topics of cooperation: human rights, advocacy. Service field may have differences in interests.
R: Obstacles for cooperation: competition, personal interests, many chauvinist man who consider women to be second-class, every leader has his/her “crown” and ambitions.
R: Funding opportunities: among foreign, international funds stronger emphasis is made on HIV/AIDS than on community building. Very hard to find sufficient funding for LB-women.
R: Cooperation opportunities with government: very few opportunities, state authorities are not open, very few opportunities for change of the law. But attempts are made.
R: Human rights: there is legal nihilism in the country.
R: LGBT people are considered to be perverts; it is very hard to stand for one’s rights. People are afraid for their lives and wellbeing, and because of that they do not seek help.


T: Personal life

R: artificial insemination, accidental pregnancy, “friendship” with gays
R: financial position (money, accommodation, etc.), mutual understanding in the family, living together for 3-4 years
R: child of single mother and consequences (state marriage registry office, Schengen visa, homophobic spirit of teachers and peers, friends.
R: physiological sensations of parents (fear or no fear) (1 vote out of 3)none (2 votes out of 3)
R: majority votes accepted that for society non-biological parents position themselves as family members, and openly admit it (as aunt, godmother, less frequently – second mother)
R: need of coming-out will mostly appear when there is recognition of homosexual relationship in society/country (it will affect the official settlement of marital status and real estate) – 2 votes out of 3.
strong need of coming-out right NOW!! (1 vote out of 3)
R: one of respondents calls mother to ask what are the “criteria”. Mother approves nontraditional orientation.
If people were visible; society gets used to them
normalization of the social attitude towards nontraditional families and children.


T: Being Out/Public Space/Identity
R: There are mixed or thematic parties. But most clubs are for gay men. There are couple places – cruising areas, where people get together. There are a lot of opportunities to attend seminars and trainings for personal growth and community building.
R: On the post-Soviet space there are no prominent lesbians who made public coming-out. Intimidated. There are men – gay: Anatoliy Yarema, Roman Viktyuk.
R: Queer-weeks have been held for 2 years in a row. There is the initiative group that stages amateur theatrical performance. There are art-workshops which are held by LGBTQ-organizations. There is a group in Odessa that does something. In Kharkov.
R: This is a stereotype, people think that all lesbians are sporty. Because it attracts more people, it is entertaining (show), interesting, unites people into the group.
R: Appraising look, often short haircuts. Not all are recognizable. There is a tendency to have fewer distinctions in the recent times.
R: There are possibilities, in clubs, at events, on websites, at cruising areas, at sport events.


Session 2 topic to topics sent from Kiev to Minsk

1. T: How many LGBT organizations are there in Minsk/Belarus? Do they cooperate with one another? Do men’s and women’s organizations cooperate? Can you say that there is a strong movement?
Сколько у вас в Минске/Беларуси ЛГБТ организаций? Сотрудничают ли они между собой? Сотрудничают ли мальчики с девочками? Можно ли сказать, что существует сильное движение?

2. T: What is Lukashenko’s view on LGBT movement? Does he know that LGBT community exists in Minsk/Belarus?
Как Лукашенко относится к ЛГБТ-движению? Известно ли ему о его существовании?

3. T: Have there been any initiatives on advocacy of LGBT rights? Any success?
Были ли/есть ли инициативы по адвокации и борьбе за права? Каковы успехи?

4. T: Do you have a strong feminist/women’s movement in Belarus? How many feminist organizations do you have? Do they cooperate with LGBT? Do LGBT organizations incorporate feminism?
Есть ли в Беларуси сильное феминистское/женское движение? Сколько у вас феминистских организаций в стране? Сотрудничают ли они с ЛГБТ? Насколько ЛГБТ организации принимают ценности феминизма?

5. T: What are the places for LB women to meet and hang out? Are there cruising areas? Are there any gay clubs in Minsk/Belarus? Specifically for lesbians?
Где собираются и тусуются лесбиянки и бисексуалки? Есть ли плешки? Есть ли в Минске /Беларуси гей-клубы? А отдельно для лесбиянок?

6. T: What is cultural LGBT life like? Are there a lot of cultural events? Any festivals?
Каков культурный досуг ЛГБТ? Как часто проводятся культурные мероприятия? Фестивали?

7. T: How com artists from “Deti detey” are still straight if all their fans are lesbians or gay?
Почему исполнительницы группы «Дети детей» до сих пор натуралки, если все их фанаты – лесбиянки или геи?


8. T: What is the ratio of younger women (till 28-30) to older women (after 40) in the community?
Каково соотношение более молодых женщин (до 28-30) и более старших (после 40 лет) в сообществе?

9. T: Is there specific ‘thematic’ music popular within LGBT? Which artists?
Какая «тематическая» музыка популярна среди сообщества? Какие исполнители?

10. T: Are there slang words or words used in the community that denote “LGBT”, “lesbian”, “bisexual”, “gay”, “queer”, etc. ? Is habal widespread?
Какие сленговые слова/термины используются для обозначения ЛГБТ, лесбиянок, геев, бисексуалок? Популярен ли хабал?

LTT Partners in Kiev

::: Exhibiting partner; Gogol Festival
::: Posted on list-service queer-world and Live journal.
::: Community partner; Insight >>>
::: Insight info on State of Mind/«Состояние сознания»>>>

::: Insight info on Lezzie Think Tank >>>