Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe – ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference in Brussels, Belgium
24–27 October 2018
POLITICS FOR CHANGE – From Words Into Action
Isaac Blake received a scholarship to attend the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference in Brussels in October 2018, representing the Gypsy, Roma & Traveller LGBTI European Community and the Romani Cultural & Arts Company. During the conference, he delivered a workshop alongside Laszlo Farkas and Dezső Máté.
ILGA-Europe’s largest Annual Conference was dedicated to the rights of LGBTI people. The 2018 conference brought together close to 600 activists from ILGA-Europe’s membership across 54 European and Central Asian countries.
The 2018 theme, Politics for Change – From Words Into Action, was explored through discussions in plenary sessions, panels and more than 40 workshops. The conference also provided opportunities for informal networking and a vibrant social programme that celebrated local culture and the LGBTI community in Brussels.
Organised in partnership with Rainbow House Brussels, Cavaria and Arc-en-ciel Wallonie, it marked the first time the Annual Conference had taken place in Brussels, the capital of Europe and the home of ILGA-Europe and several European institutions.
ILGA-Europe provided a platform for activists and supporters of the movement to meet, exchange ideas and contribute towards making the conference a significant success.
ILGA-Europe expressed its delight that the 2018 Annual Conference programme included several opportunities for participants to focus on Roma LGBTIQ lived experiences and identities, both in Europe and beyond. The organisation highlighted the importance of creating space for conversations that supported greater inclusion of Roma LGBTI communities within the wider movement.
Isaac Blake, Director of the Romani Cultural & Arts Company, said:
“Romani Arts was committed to promoting tolerance and was proud to represent a minority within a minority; Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people from the LGBTI community.”
The event also received press coverage, notably from Travellers’ Times.