Two-Day Regional Planning: A Continuation of the “Merontsov” Forum
On July 11–12, Pink Human Rights Defender NGO organized a two-day meeting that brought together 25 LGBT+ participants from different regions of Armenia.
The aim of the meeting was to create a safe space for LGBT+ people living in the regions to jointly discuss the challenges present in their communities, identify existing resources, and envision communities where every person can live a safe, visible, and dignified life.
On the first day, the participants got to know one another, became familiar with the objectives of the workshop, and established the rules for group work.
Then, through group discussions, they presented the experiences existing in their communities, highlighting the obstacles and limitations faced by LGBT+ people and other vulnerable groups.
The main challenges to participation in social and public life were mapped out, allowing participants to see both common issues and the specific characteristics of each community.
In the second part of the day, the focus shifted to opportunities.
Working in groups, the participants mapped the resources available in their communities, opportunities for cooperation, as well as the organizations and initiatives with which it is possible to develop joint work.
Then, each group created its own vision of a dream community, depicting an environment where safe and inclusive spaces are established, necessary resources are accessible, and cooperation among different community actors contributes to the full participation of LGBT+ people.
The second day was dedicated to the development and practical implementation of these ideas.
The participants presented their developed community visions, discussed possible steps for their implementation, and through the exchange of experiences, developed new ideas to apply in their communities in the future.
An important component of the program was also the non-formal recreational activities, which contributed to building trust among participants, creating new connections, and strengthening community ties.
Such meetings are especially important for LGBT+ people living in the regions, as they provide an opportunity to feel the support of the community, share experiences, and together envision and build more inclusive and safer communities.
