Projects
On September 23rd EGN opened an LGBT (lesbian-, gay-, bi-, trans) information and activity centre in Tallinn, Kaarli Avenue 5-1.
The centre is known as OMA Centre (comes from the Estonian words "oma maailma avardamise" or "expanding your world") and is open to everybody caring and thirsting for knowledge, and stands for a tolerant, inclusive society where each person, regardless of their sexuality and gender identity, is valued.
Purpose of the OMA Centre, created with the support of the Open Estonia Foundation, is to provide information and arrange events in order to create a place where questions can be asked and answered.
The centre is also a working platform for collaboration with other civil associations and human rights organizations.
Information about the OMA Centre is available on the centre's homepage and on Facebook.
OMA Centre is located in Tallinn, on Kaarli Avenue 5-1.
Contact:
Helen Talalaev
Manager
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+372 5649 9330
Hanna Kannelmäe
Programme Manager
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+372 525 5725
OMA Festival = Baltic Pride 2011
OMA Festival or Baltic Pride 2011 took place on 6th-11th of June in Tallinn. It is the 5th Pride to be held in Estonia. In 2004-2007 Pride weeks with Pride marches took place every year. In 2011, a free open air concert was held as the final event of the Baltic Pride. It was an opportunity for everyone, regardless of their identities, to come together and show their solidarity toward LGBT people and support a caring and tolerant society.
Of course there was much more to experience in Tallinn on 6th-11th of June - it was a week full of cultural events with film screenings, dance performances and art exhibitions.
Baltic Pride is an event connecting Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian LGBT organizations. In 2009 Baltic Pride took place in Riga, in 2010 in Vilnius. In 2011 it was Estonia's turn, and as a result of this cooperation, LGBT solidarity and culture week with the open air concert took place in the beginning of June in Tallinn. In 2012 Baltic Pride will be held in Riga.
Baltic Pride 2011 was organized by NGO Estonian Gay Youth, NGO Sexual Minorities Protection Union, Latvian LGBT organization Mozaika, and Lithuanian LGBT organizations Lithuanian Gay League and Tolerant Youth Association.
The open air concert was funded by the "Diversity Enriches" project, sponsored by the European Union, Ministry of Social Affairs and Tallinn Law School. In 2011 the project focused on fighting homophobia and the improvement of the social status of the people with disabilities. The project is funded in accordance with the European Union employment and social solidarity programme PROGRESS (2007–2013).
Cooperation with Latvian and Lithuanian LGBT organizations
With support from the Open Estonia Foundation, EGN has better opportunities to cooperate with Latvian and Lithuanian LGBT organizations. Since the region has several similarities, it is possible to learn and grow from and with each other.
Two worlds, Two Prides, One Europe
The project "Two worlds, Two Prides, One Europe" was a joint project of EGN and the Belgian organization Wel Jong Niet Hetero ("Young But Not Hetero").
In the course of the project, 25 young people from Estonia and Belgium looked into the background of why countries and societies located in Europe have such different attitudes towards minority groups. Why is the Pride in Brussels an event waited for by everyone, but in the Baltic countries the Baltic Pride tends to become a real fight for human rights and security?
The end of the project produced a documentary entitled "Two worlds, Two Prides, One Europe" aiming to find answers to this question. The trailer can be seen here.
Collection of essays on LGBT issues
A collection of essays entitled "Kapiuksed valla. Arutlusi homo-, bi- ja transseksuaalsusest" ("Closet Doors Wide Open. Discussions on Homo-, Bi-, and Transsexuality") can be seen as a pioneer of its kind – it is the first book published in Estonia that so extensively discusses topics related to LGBT issues.
The collection is sold at the Rahva Raamat and Apollo bookstores.
More info:
http://kapiuksed.egn.ee
www.facebook.com/kapiuksed
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Belonging
„Belonging“ was the first project of EGN. The project was active in 2009 and 2010 and consisted in organizing events, creating and distributing information booklets.
The project was supported by the European Union programme Youth in Action.
Ordinary Stories
"Ordinary Stories" was a project gathering tales of coming out of the closet that help with understanding LGBT people, and encourage them to be honest with themselves and with others.
The stories can be read here.
