United Colours is a project founded in Italy to create a permanent European network to support LGBT migrants. The project is currently holding a conference in Palermo with ambassadors of international organizations and associations representing LGBT rights.
The event is hosted by the Italian Arcigay Palermo organization along with other European associations: Oma Tuba (Estonia), Magyar LMBT Szövetség (Hungary), United Societies of Balkans Aistiki Eteireia (Greece), Bulgarian Network for Human Rights Education, and United Colours of Humanity (Turkey).
From workshops to public meetings
The conference workshops and roundtables will be turned into a public meeting on Saturday, July 8, at the Arcigay Palermo headquarters. The results of the work will be presented and the United Colours Network will be officially launched in all its components.The goal is to train young personnel working in the fields of psychology, activism, education, and non-profits as well as those working in areas associated with LGBT and non-LGBT migrants.
Ana Vasile, president of Arcigay Palermo, said the project came from "the realization that LGBT migrants are subject to double discrimination". "In 85 countries around the world, it's possible to be imprisoned, tortured, discriminated against or even killed just for being homosexual, bisexual or trans. That's why Europe ensures international protection for LGBT people who are forced to flee from their own countries," she said.
The project was financed by the National Agency for Youth, as part of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission, which has as its goal the promotion of values and essential principles of the European Union and the creation of inclusive societies.
*The conference is taking place through July 8 at the Carmine Convent in the multicultural Ballarò neighborhood of Palermo.