UP4Diversity Masterclass: How to get political
Many of the partners and people who have worked with UP4Diversity over the last two years, and especially the members of our European Network, are youth workers, teachers and academics. They all share a strong commitment to LGBT+ rights, and they all make efforts to advance the experience of young LGBT+ people in their schools, youth clubs and organisations. That's important, and the stories we have shared on this blog show that why it matters, and how it works.
But many of us feel we could still do more. We would like to take a few more steps, make a few more changes. If possible, at a 'higher' level: not just our school, but our education system; not just our club or oganisation, but the society we live in. To do that, it helps to get political. But what does that mean, and what could it look like for those of us who are not 'in' politics day to day?
At the UP4Diversity conference in Brussels on 5 July 2022, we offered a - for now - final Masterclass: 'How to get political'. In this Masterclass, we were joined by Maria Aïcha Boumeddiene of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Youth & Student Organisation (IGLYO). IGLYO is the world's largest LGBTQI youth and student network, counting more than 100 Member Organisations in over 40 countries across the Council of Europe Region. Maria Aïcha told our members how they approach political questions, and how people who are interested can work with them to advance shared goals. If you would like to have a (second) look, you can watch her session here.
Next, Lotte shared some tips to put into practice. These build on years of research and advocacy by the KU Leuven and its partners across Europe:
- Stay informed. There is a growing body of research on all things LGBT+. The better you are informed, the easier it will be for you to speak with senior officials, policy-makers - and of course, with the young people you work with (and their parents) also!
- Celebrate. It might not seem like much of a political act, but celebrating the LGBT+ community sends a strong signal. You don't need to join the Pride Parade if you are not comfortable with that! You can start by using your own space (your classroom, your youth group) to share stories or adopt rainbow-friendly changes.
- Get involved. There is no shortage of activities, campaigns and projects for you to join. If you don't have enough support to participate at school level, check if you can 'shadow' or participate virtually to start with. Take your time to find friends, allies and colleagues who can help you take this further. Rome was not built in a day...
- Empower. Consider how you can empower the young people you work with to be their own advocate. What skills do they need, what space can you offer them, what support can you provide if and when things get difficult? All of these questions are heavily context- and culture-dependent. Engage in dialogue to try and understand what they need and how you can help. Don't be afraid to question your own ideas in the process!
- Vote. Every vote matters, even if it doesn't always seem that way. You might not vote exclusively on the basis of a politican's LGBT+ views, but you can examine where they stand, and what that might mean for your preference. Importantly, you can share this with young people also. Even if they are not yet able to vote, they will be soon - and you can help them appreciate the importance of political participation.
In short, don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Small changes are so important - but big ones are important, too. Make your voice heard, and encourage the young people you work with to do the same. We'll all be better for it.
