Lesbian Organization Rijeka “LORI”
Lesbian Organization Rijeka “LORI” was founded on 19 October 2000. The aims of the organization are to inform and sensitize the public to accept sexual and gender minorities (LGBTIQ1), to eradicate prejudice and homo/bi/transphobia, to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender/sex identity and/or gender expression, and to achieve full equality under the law.
Our activities are focused on:
- informing, supporting and empowering the LGBTIQ community;
- promoting and protecting LGBTIQ rights and increasing the visibility of LGBTIQ persons;
- conducting campaigns and undertaking projects that aim to raise public awareness and point to problems of, the forms of discrimination against and violence towards sexual and gender minorities;
- informing and educating professionals about LGBTIQ issues and LGBTIQ rights;
- informing and sensitizing the public to accept LGBTIQ persons;
- reducing prejudice against and stigmatization of LGBTIQ population;
- creating a more tolerant environment and a society that respects the rights of all citizens.
Background
The LGBT discrimination ban (relating to discrimination based on sex orientation, gender identity and gender expression) and the protection of certain rights of LGBT persons are regulated in the Republic of Croatia by a number of laws and regulations. However, the awareness of the existence of anti-discriminatory legal framework in the national legislation is still extremely low, both among the general population and within LGBT community. The implementation of national and international regulations is not successful enough because of the high degree of homophobia and transphobia in the society and the widespread institutional homo/bi/transphobia.
Institutional support in combating transphobia and homophobia is not satisfactory. Although some public officials express their strong disapproval of homophobic violence, these expressions are often not followed by real and concrete steps and measures taken in order to end this kind of violence. Political parties in the Republic of Croatia do not have a separate chapter in their programmes dedicated to LGBT rights, policies and issues, and just a few parties mention them in their publications, but only superficially.
Vision
The Lesbian Organization Rijeka LORI believes in the right of every individual to create and shape their identity and/or identities in accordance with their heterogeneity, guided exclusively by their individual sexuality and gender – rather than by given heteronormative rules and the binary system – and enjoying all the rights they are entitled to. The vision of LORI is to ensure a democratic civil society in which persons are not discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression; a society dominated by the values of non-violence, equality and acceptance of difference, which promotes the freedom of living and expressing one’s sexual and gender individuality.
Mission
The aim of the organization is to promote and protect the human rights, identity and culture of the LGBTIQ population, to inform and sensitize the public to accept the LGBTIQ community, to eradicate prejudice and homo/bi/transphobia in society, to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, and empower and ensure support for LGBTIQ persons.
The Center for Women’s Studies at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka
The Center for Women’s Studies at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka is a scientific and research platform and a place which gathers science, art and civil society around subjects related to feminism, gender and critical theory, and the theory of sexuality.
The Center is a place of cooperation of students, researchers, scientists, artists, stakeholders of civil society and engaged citizens whose work and interests are based on, or are related to feminist and gender theory, the theory of sexuality and gender identity theory. The Center aspires to strengthen the positive image of the role of scientific cognition in the creation of a society of equal opportunities for all of its citizens, and, also, to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality, the respect for women’s human rights and the rights of all endangered (vulnerable) minorities.
SOS Rijeka – center for nonviolence and human rights
SOS Rijeka – center for nonviolence and human rights is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with rights and obligations defined by the Constitution, laws and the Statute of the organization.
Our vision is society where violence is not a private problem, and which is achieved via active and responsible citizens and the organization SOS Rijeka – center for nonviolence and human rights, which is recognized as a relevant stakeholder in the process of caring for victims of violence through providing social services.
Our mission: SOS Rijeka – center for nonviolence and human rights is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides help for victims of violence and other people in need. The organization achieves its goals through providing psychosocial assistance and support to victims of violence, education, prevention, raising awareness and development of volunteering and active citizenship for achieving positive changes in the society. Our values are: social responsibility, tolerance and coexistence, humanity and human rights, transparency and open communication, equal opportunities, partnership, professionalism, work ethics, creativity and innovation.
Association for Human Rights and Active Citizenship PaRiter
Association for Human Rights and Active Citizenship PaRiter got its name by Latin word Pariter which stands for equal and together. It was established in Rijeka, with aim to raise society’s awareness about human rights, also about civic activism, role, and obligations of an individual in and towards society. Association PaRiter was primarily founded as a reaction to relatively passive surroundings in which society doesn’t speak enough about human rights, women rights as well as social, cultural and economical rights of an individual. Our wish is to take active part in local community and to make influence on creating active citizens, which is a precondition to every democratic process.
Purpose of establishing associations action is promotion of respect for human rights according to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other similar protocols.
Our aim is to educate, to inform, to raise awareness about human rights issues, first on local, then on national, regional and global level through projects, workshops, civil actions, but also examples of good practices from other cities and countries. Association dedicates special attention to education and informing young generations which is a precondition for creating the healthy and active society which has the awareness of their role, but also awareness of their obligations to society and members of society they live in.
Minority groups, who’s rights are often forgotten, ignored, relativized or they are put on the back burner, they are also active and equal members of every society and society established on an idea of democracy demands equal position of all members so it is necessary for us to develop awareness about the fact that equality between the majority and minority haven’t been achieved, that human rights have been broken on an everyday level, that we are having a long way to equality. If we want to change, we also must encourage development of common dialogue. Association PaRiter has the desire to become a catalyzer of that dialogue and active factor in the creation of a city in which human rights of all groups will have equal value, in practical level too, not just on the declarative level.
Aims of the association:
- promotion of non-violence and tolerance culture, human and civil rights and freedoms as necessary preconditions for the democratization of society
- recognition and understanding of general and specific women’s rights, working on women strengthening and women’s movement empowerment, and creating equal conditions for their participation on all levels of public, political and economic life
- promotion of activism among citizens, also empowerment of citizens because of their influence on social processes
- strengthening local democracy, pluralistic and multicultural society as a foundation for building community by the measure of its citizens
Association’s activities:
- stimulating creative exchange of theoretical and practical approaches to education on anti-discrimination and human rights and building a social justice through on-institutional education , workshops, seminars, training, etc.
- encouraging awareness and knowledge about human rights conventions
- proposing, advocacy and monitoring of national and international public policy of not-discrimination and human rights
- developing a culture of dialogue and non-violent culture as a way of living
- affirmation of activistic approach of the local community (civil activism, multiculturalism and tolerance)
- educating children and youth about human rights decision process and democracy
- encouraging children and youth on active participation and critical thinking
- organizing education on human rights and cultural dialogue, etc.
- inclusion, exchange, and cooperation with related international organizations
- participation at international conferences on human rights
