17 May – BOZAR & The colors of the rainbow 1. Introduction: The Centre for Fine Arts, gender and LGBTIQ. (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans-sexual, Intersex and Questioning). As part of its international mission, the Centre for Fine Arts Brussels (BOZAR) aims to show and establish exchange with cultures from all over the world, to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue and to advocate the role of culture as a catalyst for creativity. BOZAR does not only show art for art’s sake. We believe in debate, and in the community building capacity of the arts. As a cultural organization with a large variety of artistic disciplines ranging from literature and music to discussion platforms, we have always strived to offer a programme that is highly ranked on an artistic level but at the same time widely accessible to our 1.3 million visitors per year. In doing so, the CFA aims to reflect the multi-cultural reality of the hyper-diverse city of Brussels. We have had the honour of welcoming personalities such as Salman Rushdie, Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama. Exceptional events like these have only solidified our involvement in social and political issues as well as our leading cultural role in Belgium. We aim to combine art and society to offer a nuanced vision. In 2014, the central Summer of Photography exhibition at the Centre for Fine Arts examined the role of female artists in the second wave of feminism, WOMAN: The Feminist Avant-Garde of the1970s: Works from the SAMMUNG VERBUND, Vienna curated by Gabriele Schor. Initially, it was Europe and the United States that set the tone, but today’s struggle for woman’s rights is worldwide. New topics present themselves in the gender debate: the representation of women on the internet, the right of lesbian women to have children, women’s rights in other cultures and so on. In 2015, after the dramatic attacks on freedom of expression in Paris, Copenhagen and Dhaka, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, BOZAR organized its first Difference Day together with The Brussels Platform for Journalism, a joint initiative involving Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Erasmushogeschool Brussel (EHB), the Evens Foundation and iMinds. Freedom of expression also implies respect for the opinion of others and the recognition of diversity. BOZAR has also been focusing more on LGTBIQ questions recently. In December 2016, we had a study day about stereotypes on television with the University of Leuven as a partner. We discussed to what extent television confirms and challenges social stereotypes. Several international speakers hosted discussion sessions afterwards, where one in particular (Frederik Dhaenens) talked about the diverse ways LGBTIQ characters can be represented in the media. May 2017, for the very first time, the much talked about IDAHOT Forum is coming to Brussels, on 18 and 19 May 2017. At this conference, politicians, policy-makers, poets and thinkers draw up the State of the Union of LGBTIQ rights in Europe. This year, its main focus will be “families”. The conference follows the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on 17 May, on May 20th the Belgian Pride parade marches through Brussels from the point of departure at the Kuntsberg/Mont des Arts. All good reasons for BOZAR to put the spotlight on LGBTIQ rights. 2. International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia This day is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 countries where same-sex acts are illegal, with 1600 events reported from 1280 organizations in 2014. These mobilizations unite millions of people in support of the recognition of human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. It is not one centralized campaign, but a momentum that forms the basis of many individual initiatives that take place annually around the globe . May 17th was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. 3.Programme at the CFA 10:00 – 22:00 (Fumoir) Photography Exhibition: Lolendo – Régis Samba Kounzi 10:00 – 22:00 (Bertouille) Photography Exhibition: Underwater love – Kris Micallef 10:00 – 22:00 Exhibition: 40 years çavaria 10:00 – 16:00 (Hall M) Study Day: çavaria Toward a Bright LGBTIQ+ Future 17:00 – 18:00 Remembrance service for the victims of hate crimes 18:30 – 20:00 (Hall M) Colors of the Rainbow Debate on the creation of an LGBTIQ inclusive society 4. Programme in detail 10:00 – 22:00 (Rooksalon) Expo Lolendo – Régis Samba-Kounzi As has been shown by research in the social sciences and human sciences, homosexuality certainly existed in Africa during the pre- colonial and imperial periods. Historical, sociological and anthropological research has since allowed a greater understanding of the position held by homosexuality in African societies at different points in time. This research, part of the gradual recognition of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTIQ) in North America and Continental Europe has also documented the increasingly pronounced stigmatisation of the LGBTIQ community in Africa. The Lolendo series of photographs takes its name from the Lingala word for ‘pride’. The series presents portraits of LGBTIQ people, whose existence is currently denied in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There, homosexuality is not forbidden by the law, but, unlike in the past, Congolese society now views it with hostility, believing it to be something ‘immoral’, introduced from the West. The stigmatisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTIQ) takes the form of discrimination in access to healthcare even though the DRC is one of the countries with the highest incidence of AIDS. Régis Samba-Kounzi is a French-Congolese-Angolan photographer. After his training in agronomy, he worked as a consultant before joining the fight against AIDS. He captures his experiences in documentary and artistic photography. Developing projects, interested in the living conditions of minorities, marginalized and vulnerable by race, class, validism, gender, HIV/AIDS, or sexual orientation. Documenting their relations with the rest of society and their strategies of survival and resistance. Currently, he lives and works between Paris and Kinshasa. Partners: Rainbow House Brussels, Festival Massimadi Copyright images : Sylvie, Kimbanseke district, Kinshasa/RDC © Regis Samba-Kounzi, Courtesy of the artist, Paris 10:00 – 22:00 (Rotonde Bertouille) Expo: Underwater Love – Kris Micallef Focusing on the beauty of the human body’s structure, often in its naked state, the series of photographs highlights mankind’s innate equality when stripped of social construct, the beauty of the bodies’ sinuous lines representing the higher ideals of equality and tolerance. The constant, dynamic use of fabric serves as metaphor for the historical and contemporary constrictions excercised upon the LGBITQ community and its will to break free from such limitations. Kris Micallef’s “Underwater Love” is a commentary on the authenticity, vulnerability and freedom of LGBTIQ love. Crystalline waters act as backdrop for the unbridled expression of authentic self, unhindered by societal norms and judgement. Kris Micallef, born in 1988 in Malta, began his career in photography through his fascination with beauty and the human form. Kris graduated in Architecture and Civil Engineering in 2011 after reading for his degree at the University of Malta. His architectural background influences his photographs - order, geometry, light and beauty are keywords synonymous with Kris’ photography. Partners: The Maltese Presidency of the European Council Arts Council Malta 10:00 – 16:00 (Zaal M) Study Day: Toward a Bright LGBTIQ+ Future Çavaria, the Flemish LGBT umbrella organization, celebrates its 40th anniversary by inviting activists, allies and partner organizations to think about how to tackle the future challenges together. Closing reception and the opening of the exhibition 40 years çavaria between 16.00 and 17.00 by Minister Sven Gatz, Flemish Minister for Culture, Youth, Media and Brussels. Speakers: Sabah Choudrey, Pieter Cannoot (UGent), Piet De Bruyn (NVA - member of Parliament), Miriam Van der have (activist), Koen De Feyter(Universiteit Antwerpen), Daina Rudusa (ILGA-Europe) –more to follow. Partners: Brussels-Capital Region, Staatssecretariaat voor Armoedebestrijding, Gelijke kansen, Personen met een beperking, Grootstedenbeleid en Wetenschapsbeleid, Vlaanderen is gelijke kansen, çavaria vzw 17:00 – 18:00 Remembrance service for the victims of hate crimes European Forum and BOZAR host a special event where religious leaders will speak about their commitment to peace and respect to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The event will close with a multi-religious remembrance service offered for the victims of hate crimes. A special attention will be given to gays in Chechnya. This ceremony is led by Ds Wielie Elhorst. 18:30 – 20:00 (Hall M) Colors of the rainbow Debate on the creation of an LGBTIQ inclusive society Malta, the smallest of the EU countries is a magnificent example of how LGBTIQ- equality is supported and framed by solid legislation. Malta is number one in the ranking drawn up by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). ILGA Europe is a worldwide federation of 1,200 member organizations from 125 countries campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and intersex rights since 1978. The latest Rainbow Europe Map, which reflects legal and policy developments, confirms that a few countries are still setting new standards for LGBTIQ equality and being propelled upward on the country ranking as a result. ILGA-Europe Executive Director Evelyne Paradis noted “The countries who are on this upward curve tend to be the ones who have protected people from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity, or legislated to protect the bodily integrity of intersex people and who have ingrained this change in everyday measures such as equality actions plans. Malta’s rise to the top of the Rainbow Europe rankings for the first time is a prime example of this standard-setting in action.