Oostende

Policy

LGBTI equality is an important part of Oostende’s equal rights-policy. It is a transversal theme, manifested in urban policies about e.g. safety, anti-discrimination, education, health or youth, but also in our intersectional diversity policy with specific actions about/for LGBTI people. The Expert Equal Rights develops, implements and monitors the policy, with a strong focus on LGBTI, gender and anti-discrimination. This in close cooperation with colleagues who work on the topics handicap, seniors, health, and integration/interculturality.

Goals

In 2017, the city council signed a Rainbow Charter with 6 long term goals, as developed by the local LGBTI advocacy organization. The yearly municipal LGBTI-action plan is based on these goals:

  • informing and raising awareness with the local population
  • surrounding ourselves with experts and gathering knowledge
  • supporting and emancipating the LGBTI-community
  • enhancing equal rights and guaranteeing safety
  • paying attention to the LGBTI-community in our imaging and services.
  • working together on an open and diverse West-Flanders region.

Focus Areas

  • Supporting local LGBTI organizations, providing a safe place to meet, interact and raise awareness on the subject.
  • Developing a local anti-discrimination plan, with a actions on anti-discrimination for LGBTIpeople in the workplace, public domain and housing market.
  • Establishing an gender/LGBTI focus in local networks, such as the Primary Care Network.
  • Developing a Bystander Intervention campaign, to support victims and witnesses of violence/discrimination, and raise societal awareness.
  • Developing educational support and awareness campaigns for local schools
  • Providing tools and support for local organizations to be LGBTI-friendly
  • Organizing information sessions for teachers and social care workers on the intersectionality of LGBTI and migration/refugees.

Collaboration partners

The local library, social service department, local police, safety department, education department.

We work closely together with local organizations such as Regenbooghuis aan Zee (LGBTI organization), çavaria (LGBTI umbrella organization), Merhaba (LGBTI/migration), Unia (Federal anti-discrimination), local schools.