I’m trans. I know my rights

Human rights are a basic precondition for human existence and are the cornerstone on which humanity builds a peaceful and prosperous future. The practical application of human rights presupposes, on the one hand, informed citizens who are ready to practice them and, on the other hand, well-trained legal and civil servants who comply with them. Therefore, it is not enough just to have laws that guarantee rights, but we must also know how to claim their application in practice. Trans people are one of the most vulnerable groups of people. They face maximum discrimination, intolerance and unequivocal violence. Their basic human rights are being violated, including the right to life, physical integrity and dignity, and health. The human rights situation of trans people, as stated in the report by the former Commissioner for Human Rights of the CoE “Human Rights and Gender Identity” is largely ignored, the interest is not shown, although their problems are very much seriously and meet only in this group. Also, according to a recent survey by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Organization conducted pan-European, results show that 1 in 5 trans or intersex people respond that they have been harassed or attacked in the last year, while 57% respond that they face intolerance in our country. Finally, based on the recordings we have from the Racist Violence Recording Network, proves that trans people in our country in particular face unequal treatment, discrimination and violence and that it is necessary for the State to take all necessary legal and institutional measures to combat them. This project focuses on defending and claiming the rights of trans people, with purpose:

1. To perform a basic tool for trans people where through it they will be informed about their rights the applicable legal provisions but also the good practices that apply in our country on their rights in order to inform and empower them to feel that they do not are vulnerable to discrimination, exclusion, intolerance and racist violence, but also be prepared to demand the immediate and full activation of their rights. In order to inform the trans people, a separate special page of the Project will be constructed in the already existing website of G.T.S.A. where it will collect and present in a friendly way all the printed and audiovisual material resulting from the project activities as well as news/announcements in the course of its development, while the information about the project and its actions are provided in Greek/English. Also, a complete Guide will be issued which will include all applicable laws that include gender expression, gender identity, sex characteristics and sexual orientation, while during the implementation of the project there will be speeches at the G.T.S.A. informing and empowering the target group. For the best possible approach of the trans, targeted excursions/streetwork will take place in parts of the city.

2. To inform lawyers and to train civil servants about the existing legal tools in relation to human rights and specifically to the rights of trans/LGBTQI, with the aim of their proper implementation and how to deal with more effective cases in relation to with their rights. For this purpose, a series of certified educational seminars will be held for lawyers, law students, practicing lawyers and civil servants on issues of gender expression, gender identity and sex characteristics, terminology, discrimination and stereotypes, in the analysis of 4491/2017 of legal recognition of gender identity, as well as an analysis of applicable legal provisions which include expression, gender identity, sex characteristics and sexual orientation.

3. To gather to record and categorize incidents of human rights violations, discrimination and violence for reasons of gender identity or gender expression as well as sexual orientation. For this purpose, the main tool will be the already existing online incident recording platform of G.T.S.A. which is available online within the Association’s website. All the incidents collected are recorded, categorized and then sent to the Racist Violence Recording Network.

4. To increase the claim of the rights of the trans community. To achieve this goal, a series of actions and steps will be taken to put pressure on the Government and to all relevant institutions and forces of the Greek Parliament.

5. To strengthen the raising awareness of the society in order to reduce the negative stereotypes towards this population group. As part of this goal, a conference will be held in view of the International Trans Remembrance Day and a street action will be held in view of the International Trans Day of Visibility with the aim of informing the general population and combating the social stigma experienced by trans people, while at the same time an online campaign for the rights of the community will be implemented.