What Is ILGA-Europe?

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What is ILGA-Europe?

ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian & Gay Association (ILGA). We work for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Europe. We are a non-governmental umbrella organisation which represents its members, principally organisations of LGBT people at the European level. We have over 200 member organisations across Europe.

Our vision:

ILGA-Europe works towards a world in which the human rights of all are respected and everyone can live in equality and free from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Our mission:

- to act as a voice at European level for the rights of those who face discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression - to promote the rights to equality and freedom from discrimination by lobbying and advocacy, and by educating and informing the European institutions, media and civil society - to strengthen the capacity of European human rights organisations fighting against sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression discrimination through networking, exchange of information and training activities.

Why ILGA-Europe exists and is needed:

- because LGBT people in Europe still face discrimination in many areas such as employment, health care, housing, pension, social security, access to goods and service - because Europe is still far from being a continent where LGBT people are free from discrimination, prejudice and violence - because discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression is still not fully recognised and banned at European level or in many European countries - because same-sex families and their children are not yet fully recognised and treated with dignity and respect - because some LGBT people in Europe are still subject to hateful statements, humiliation, and even violence or murder.

Membership:

Any individual or organisation sharing our aims and values can join ILGA-Europe. All members of ILGA from Europe are automatically members of ILGA-Europe.

Types of membership:

- full membership is open to LGBT non-profit organisations including LGBT groups which form part of a non-LGBT organisation

- individual membership is open to any person

- associate membership is for any other organisation or association such as commercial LGBT organisations, governmental organisations, or non-LGBT voluntary organisations.

Details and application form at: www.ilga.org/member.asp

How can you get involved in & support ILGA-Europe?

- become an ILGA member or join your national/local group which is an ILGA member - get all news and developments on LGBT politics, laws and policies in Europe by signing up to our monthly electronic Euro-letter and/or our magazine - explore our website, and help us keep it updated with information from your country - take part in our annual conference - make a donation - become a Scholarship Angel - volunteer for us.

All details including our bank details are on our website: www.ilga-europe.org