Municipal and regional authorities have an important and specific responsibility to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, and queer (LGBTI) people, because discrimination often occurs in their immediate environment. Most local administrations do not address this issue explicitly, however. Rainbow Cities is the exception.
Members of this network consider they have a responsibility to protect and support their LGBQTI citizens. They exchange information on good practices, interventions, and initiatives in order to increase the impact of local approaches, spend budgets effectively, and achieve greater social inclusion. The Rainbow Cities Network is an NGO.
RCN members are represented by staff members, not by politicians or NGOs, but work closely with both groups. Through this organizational structure, the Network seeks to ensure that both its policies and their implementation are sustainable and committed. RCN members are diverse: some have lots of experience, some are still learning from their more experienced peers, some older and bigger members are learning from the innovative capacities of their smaller peers. The Rainbow Cities Network has a proven track record of innovation in the creation of LGBTQI policies.
VISION
Despite the progress of LGBTI rights in Europe, these fundamental rights are still fragile and in peril. In the last couple of years, we have seen setbacks in our region. That is why our organization aims to become the reference organization for other municipalities and cities: we want to help them to develop truly inclusive policies and contribute to the goal of creating sustainable and liveable cities for all.
PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES
• To exchange experiences of local policies and lessons learned on LGBTI issues. To collaborate on specific issues, through projects and other means.
• To exchange local good practices and initiatives relevant to sexual orientation and gender identity. To keep up to date with international developments in LGBTI policy.
• To link up and collaborate with international networks and organizations as they evolve.
KEY PROJECTS
LGBTI policy guidelines for local governments. Funded by the European Commission, this project fosters active citizenship in understanding the richness of LGBTI citizens and contributes to the visibility of, respect for, and tolerance of the LGBTI minority. It also highlights the positive impact that LGBTI communities have in our European society.
Annual meeting. At the annual meeting, members meet together to discuss, debate, and improve the LGBTI policies of their cities.
IDAHOBIT annual photo exhibition. As a joint project, each year on 17 May the Network organizes an exhibition on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Every member is asked to contribute a photograph from their city on a chosen theme. Members can print the photographs or display the exhibition online.
Phone: +49 176 61 41 66 02
Coordinator: Manuel Rosas Vázquez