United in Solidarity: The Fight against the Oppression of Queer Persons and Women in Eastern Europe

16:00 – 17:30, Marsha

This panel will gather prominent human rights activists from Poland, mainly those fighting for LGBTI+ and female reproductive rights, and those from Hungary, fighting for LGBTI+ rights, in order to discuss and draw conclusions on how intersectionality can benefit oppressed groups of society in cases such as the ban of abortions and the creation of “LGBTI+ ideology-free" regions in Poland, as well as the legislative changes in Hungary, such as the ban on “LGBTI+ propaganda” and the ban on the legal change of gender for trans and intersex persons. Moreover, experiences of fighting for equality through mass protests will be shared, as well as the ways of combating decisions and legislatures made by a conservative government.

Speakers:

• David Vig, Director, Amnesty International Hungary
• Joanna Śmiecińska, Board Member, LGBT+ Community Association of Adam Mickiewcz University, Poland
• Lilly Dragoeva, Executive Director, Bilitis Resource Center Foundation, Bulgaria
• Hana Gerdes, Chairperson of the Board, Civil Rights Defenders (moderator)