Назад COVID-19 and support to LGBTI community in Bosnia and Herzegovina

photo: Branko Culibrk

photo: Branko Culibrk

On 17 May we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – IDAHOT, which has been celebrated in Bosnia and Herzegovina for several years now through a series of public events that pointed out the problems faced by the members of the LGBTI community on a daily basic. This year, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are celebrating IDAHOT differently, but still providing strong support and messages of solidarity to the LGBTI community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although sexual orientation or gender identity should not be a source of life difficulty, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer, due to significant social stigma during their lives are exposed to increased stress and fear for their own lives. Also, some researches show that LGBTI people are more likely to commit suicide and self-harm due to discrimination and non-acceptance.

Youth Centre KVART Prijedor significantly contributes to the quality of life of LGBTI people, understands the problems of members of the community and had realised the importance of adequate support in times of crisis. Support during the COVID-19 pandemic was provided through counselling services for LGBTI people.

This very demanding and important work was recognised by the European Union and the Council of Europe, who financially supported the Youth Centre KVART through the action on "Promotion of diversity and equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina", to organise free of charge counselling for LGBTI people throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the counselling, the personal capacity of LGBTI people in this period of the crisis has been reinforced, which is very challenging for many. This approach should, in the end, enable equal treatment for all, and the availability of mental health care for all, which was the guiding principle in providing free of charge counselling.

“We are working on strengthening the capacities of LGBTI people to overcome the current situation, and provide them space to talk about their feelings, experiences and difficulties they are currently facing" said Branko Ćulibrk, executive director of KVART.

photo: Branko Culibrk

The added value of these counselling is that it is conducted without stigmatisation and discrimination, approaching the European value system, where each individual is equally important, regardless of any of his or her personal characteristics, including gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Creating an atmosphere of safety is crucial to get started, as well as a sincere acceptance and recognition of person’s preferences, relationships, and identity, as opposed to the frequent denial and disrespect by family and society.

“Unfortunately, we often have the opportunity to hear the experiences of LGBTI people who, after coming out, were subject to reorientation treatments and attempts to heal sexual orientation, which resulted in a very traumatic experience and sometimes performed by professionals too. Under this kind of social pressure, LGBTI people are losing confidence in professionals who can help them to first understand, then admit and integrate sexual orientation into their own way of life,” said Ćulibrk.

Sometimes LGBTI people may have negative or opposed attitudes toward their own sexuality. That is why all these potential disruptive factors should be addressed by conveying accepting and supporting attitudes within the consultation process.

Nemanja from Banja Luka told us that he remembers a situation when he heard a conversation of his father in which he stated that it would be easier for him that his son becomes a murderer than a fagot." Even though I knew I liked men more, I knew I had to change myself because I didn't want to become some kind of 'pervert', that my own father would consider worse than a murderer."

On the other hand, for example discrimination can take several forms, from social rejection by society or institutions, through verbal and physical abuse or sexual abuse. It has been proven that these repeated situations result in the occurrence of chronic stress and weakening of personal capacities, and thus to the endanger to mental health.

“It's terribly tiring to lead a double life and be constantly careful not to be discovered. I remember the situation at work, in September, when the Pride march was organised, and when everyone started talking about the "pride of shame", and I did not dare to say anything. I was afraid of the reaction of others, but also of a potential dismission, if they found out that I was gay. I am constantly afraid not to reveal myself away with some movement, clothes or anything else and get myself in trouble of losing my job if they find out about me ", added Nemanja.

Ćulibrk said that experience in working with the LGBT community so far has shown that the very nature of the problems related to sexual orientation depends on several factors, such as sex, gender identity, age, level of education, and many other personal and social factors. Also, an important factor is the involvement of LGBTI people in the work of informal groups or organisations whose aim is to improve the position of LGBTI people, as well as to have support from the closer or wider community.

The Youth Center KVART is a beneficiary of a the Joint program of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”. The views expressed in this article are the responsibility of the author and do not represent the official views of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 16 May 2020
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