.png "progetto senza titolo (33)")
Trieste hosts the Study Visit of the European project SAFE AND PROUD
Trieste hosted the first study visit of the European project SAFE AND PROUD, a moment of exchange and learning focused on understanding the situation of the LGBTQI+ community in Italy and on dialogue between different European contexts.
During these days, participants and project partners had the opportunity to explore the differences among the countries involved and to reflect on the challenges and opportunities linked to promoting the rights and inclusion of LGBTQI+ people.
A first moment of exchange among the participants
The study visit opened with get-to-know-you activities and group work, designed to create a safe and collaborative space for dialogue. The participants shared expectations, fears and personal experiences, building together a climate of trust that made it possible to start an open discussion on the project’s core themes.
One of the most meaningful moments was the work on local case studies, which allowed participants to compare three different urban contexts: Bilbao, Salamanca and Trieste. Through a participatory session, the groups analyzed the main challenges the LGBTQI+ community faces in the three cities, highlighting differences linked to the social, institutional and cultural context. From this exchange, three “trees of causes and consequences” were developed, one for each area: visual analysis tools that helped the participants identify the roots of the problems, the dynamics that fuel them, and the effects they produce in local communities. The work made it clear that, even starting from different contexts, many critical issues are shared and require coordinated responses at the European level.
Activities organized at the University of Trieste
Among the main activities, participants took part in several panels held at the University of Trieste, offering an in-depth look at the academic context and inclusive policies.
During the meetings, key tools and initiatives were presented, including:
- Alias Careers, a system that helps ensure respect for gender identity within university settings.
- The Equal Opportunities Committee, committed to promoting fairer and more inclusive study and work environments.
- The Department of Gender Studies, which led a reflection on the challenges and future perspectives of gender studies in the academic context.
Dialogue with local organizations
The study visit was not limited to academic meetings. Mimma Dreams also organized moments of exchange with various organizations active in the Trieste area that work daily to defend the rights of the LGBTQI+ community.
Among them:
- Arcigay Trieste, committed to protecting the rights of the LGBTQI+ community
- Hangar Teatri, promoter of the “TRVEST3” festival, dedicated to queer and drag culture.
- Euphoria Trans FVG, an association that offers support and guidance to people who begin a transition path
One of the most meaningful moments was the debate hosted at Arcigay Trieste’s headquarters, where participants were able to discuss directly the differences between the Italian and Spanish contexts, enriching the dialogue with diverse perspectives.
Building safer and more inclusive spaces
The four days of activities in Trieste showed how essential it is to create opportunities for exchange between institutions, research and society to promote more inclusive and safer environments for the LGBTQI+ community.
The study visit represented only the first step in a path of collaboration and exchange that will continue in the coming months within the SAFE AND PROUD project.