ANSO

quarterly
#1 2009
 Welcome to the new
Welcome to the new ANSO Quarterly #1 3

Students for Transgender Inclusion 4 ANSO Quarterly #1

Queer Wonderland 9
We are proud to be The conference was each country. The
Loosening the Grip of Heteronormativity 15 able to present you mainly funded by Youth new board structure
with our brand new in Action Programme which was accepted in
ANSO Member Organizations 18 newsletter. Here we and NORDBUK. The August 2008 consists
want to tell you about participants spent a of a presidium of
www.ANSO.dk 22 what is happening week of intensive work four, two members
with ANSO. Share our in Aarhus, Denmark. elected independently
thoughts and give you You can read more of nationality and
an idea of what we about the conference divides the member
together in ANSO are and the ongoing countries into three
doing. project ‘Students regions each with
ANSO is for for Transgender two representatives.
collaborating, gaining Inclusion’ later in The new board was
inspiration, giving the newsletter. You elected in August with
a helping hand and can also read about Monika Grzywnowicz as
supporting each other. the annual ANSO president. Monika has
We are students and we conference which in almost three years of
demand equal rights in 2008 took place in experience as a board
higher education. beautiful Iceland. The member and treasurer
conference was titled of ANSO and she has
ANSO was founded ‘Queer Wonderland’ been in charge of
in 2004 by five and aimed to envision the ‘Students for
Nordic LGBTQ student our future utopia. In Transgender Inclusion’
organizations. We have January of this year project.
since grown currently ANSO hosted a study
counting 12 member session in Council of “I’m proud to be the
organizations from 8 Europe Youth Centre new president of such
European countries. in Strasbourg with a dynamic organization
You can read about all young people from 21 as ANSO and I’m really
our members on pages different countries. looking forward to
18 – 21 and about the all our projects
new member Estonian ANSO is constantly and new challenges.
Gay Youth who is the growing including I hope we’re going
first organization to new members from not to continue our
deal with LGBTQ issues only Nordic countries work on fighting
in Estonia. but also the Baltic heteronormativity in
Throughout the years States and Poland. To higher education and
ANSO has hosted accommodate the growth transgender inclusion,
several conferences of the organization which are our main
and study sessions and ease inclusion focus points. I also
and participated in of future members hope we’re going to be
Prides around Europe. there have had to even more motivated
In May 2008 we hosted be some structural and more inspired
The board from left to right Lorenzo Rasmussen, Chris Riddselius, Virga changes within ANSO. to make ANSO even
the first European
Prasmickaite, Aldis Olafsdottir, Vignir Freyr Helgason, Monika Grzywnowicz, Arnt V.
trans conference Previously the board stronger”, says Monika
Arntsen, Patrycja Kulka, Vilma Gabrieliute, Ann Kristin Fagerlund, Audun Gustavsen.
Missing in the picture is board member Isabel Enström. (Virga and Audun have re- targeting students was comprised of Grzywnowicz.
signed.) in higher education. representatives from

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 Students for

Transgender Inclusion
ANSO initiated
the Students for
Transgender Inclusion
project in 2007 aiming
to create awareness
and knowledge on
transgender issues
among its members and
the public in general.
The project includes
several activities,
mainly funded by Youth
in Action Programme,
strengthening
the inclusion of
transgender people
within ANSO and ANSO’s
contact with other
LGBTQ organizations
across Europe. The
project is prepared by
ANSO in cooperation
with its partners and
consists of three main
parts; preparation of
educational material
which took place
in Oslo, Norway,
February 2008, the
Trans conference in
Aarhus, Denmark, May
Educational Material
2008 and the yearly
event Transgender Day The first part of terminology, health, organizations.
of Remembrance in the trans project support groups, Together with the
November. took place in Oslo legal situations of booklet there is going
in February 2008 transgender persons, to be posters and
and was aimed at and links to different leaflets produced which
The Students for preparing educational European transgender will give the project
Transgender Inclusion material dealing with organizations as needed visibility,
booklet is published in both within the
several languages and transgender issues well as web pages
will be free to download for use in all member dealing with trans LGBTQ community and
from www.anso.dk organizations and were all compiled in the general public,
hopefully more widely a booklet which will which will help to
One of the outcomes of in European LGBTQ play an integral role fight transphobia so
the conference was the student organization. in trans inclusion distinctively present
webpage www.transweb. in European societies.
Issues, such as work of LGBTQ student
wordpress.com

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Conference in Aarhus, Denmark Transgender Day of Remembrance

N D
TS
In May 2008 ANSO held club, Blender. Arawn Participants came November 21st 2008 victims of hate crimes people familiar with

O N
its first ever trans- Repka, participant from student, youth was the 10th annual based on ignorance, transgender culture
conference. The place of the conference, and LGBTQ-groups to Transgender Day fear, and lack of and making it an

N
SI E
was Aarhus, Denmark gave an interesting educate themselves on of Remembrance knowledge concerning integral and accepted

N DE
and participants came introduction to transgender issues commemorating those trans issues. This is part of society.

LU G
from all over the Representation of and to discuss and who were killed and/ why the Transgender
Nordic and Baltic Transgender in exchange experiences or suffered from Remembrance Day is so

C RS
U
region. During five popular culture. Alex on Transgender transphobia and important. The event

INDN
E
highly intensive and Fridunger, also a Inclusion. The hatred. ANSO member focuses on trans

LU G R T
extremely interesting participant of the conference focused organizations hosted history, activism, and

N A
C S O TS
days the participants conference, widened on broadening young activities marking further education.

LU D R S
were working on issues the perspectives on people’s horizon the day and created Movie screenings,

C N FONT

O R
connected with trans. LGBTQ discrimination concerning transgender awareness and lectures, and art

EN
by taking an issues as well as visibility around all exhibitions were part

E
SI T
NI GE R DE

N
SI E
The goal was to intersectional encouraging them transgender people. of the Remembrance

IN N F
inspire young people approach to the to take up new Transgender people are day working on making
FOTU

TR FOUD
participating in the issue, in addition initiatives on
conference and by to screening his own the topic through

R
TS

this creating space movie “Are you a girl workshops, lectures,

O R

or what?”. Among the and group discussions.

ST
for new projects and
N
EN

Välkommen att visa ditt stöd!

S

new ideas which would other topics discussed Plans have been made
SINE

A
help dissemination were higher education for continuation of
LUAD
SG UD

of information and and trans, health the ‘Students for Du inbjuds härmed att delta i Transgender Day of Remembrance för att
C N

knowledge about issues, queer theory Transgender Inclusion’ högtidlighålla minnet av alla som fallit offer för transfobiskt våld och för att
lyfta transfrågor i samhällsdebatten. Arrangemanget äger rum för andra
IN TR
E
ST

transgender issues. and gender as a fluid project. Among other

gången i Sverige, fredagen den 21 november, och kommer att markeras med
25 people from concept. things it includes a en ljusmanifestation på Medborgarplatsen i Stockholm med start kl. 18.
9 participating book with young trans
organizations came The conference outcome people’s experiences.
N

together to make Manifestationen kommer bland annat innehålla tal av. följande personer:
a change within Reflecting upon
the LGBTQ student the participating Carin Götblad, länspolismästare i Stockholms län
movement. organizations’ Anneli Svensson, RFSLs brottsofferjour
practices and
Topics of the improving them was Linus Hedlund, ordförande RFSL Ungdom Stockholm
conference an essential factor
Lukas Romson, transaktivist
in the success of
The program consisted the conference. It
of performances, work resulted in several
shops and lectures projects and project Efter manifestationen inbjuds du att delta i
mingel hos Sensus, också på Medborgarplatsen.
on a number of ideas such as a
Varmt välkommen att visa ditt stöd för transfrågor och
topics related to sticker campaign protestera mot hatbrott riktade mot transpersoner, tillsammans med oss.
transgender. Among the and the trans
guest speakers were webpage. Material on
Josephine Wilson, who transgender health was Med vänliga hälsningar,
addressed the issue of gathered, plans were
reclaiming transgender made for the execution
history and also of Transgender Day
did her performance of Remembrance, and ANSO was co-host of the
Transgender Day of Remem-
piece “Being me, strategies regarding
brance in Stockholm. Nor-
Performing Myself” changing rooms and wegian ANSO member UgleZ
for the participants gyms at schools were from Bergen also marked
at the local LGBTQ developed. the day.

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 Queer Wonderland
The annual ANSO conference which took
place in August 2008 was hosted by
Icelandic member organization Q in
Reykjavik. The title of the conference,
Queer Wonderland, hints a future utopia.
The aim of the conference was to define
this utopian society and thereby define
what to strive for in our work with
LGBTQ issues. What are we fighting for?
What would the perfect queer future be?
And what methods can we use to reach it?
The 44 members from 11 member
organizations came together for a week
of intense and enjoyable work in the
beautiful country of Iceland.

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The overall concept of
the Queer Wonderland
conference was to
create a vision for a
queer utopian future.
As an inspiration
there participants
got inputs in forms
of lectures and
workshops during the
week. The subjects
of the lectures
were suggested and
presented by our
own members showing Lectures and workshops
what knowledge and
experiences we already Structureless Organizations by Chris
have within ANSO. Riddselius, SFQ, Sweden.
During the conference Gender and Culture by Ann Kristin Fagerlund,
ANSO’s future was Vice President, ANSO.
discussed. ANSO is Polyamory by Monika Grzywnowicz, President, Reykjavik Pride
expanding including ANSO.
members from outside Best Practices Sharing in Project Management & The conference took kind. It goes under Reykjavík, have been
the Nordic Region. Networking on the internet by Adrian Wolczuk, place during Reykjavik the name; ‘hinsegin a great success since
What should be the KPH, Poland. Pride Week and ANSO dagar’ or ‘the queer 1999. It has expanded
focus of ANSO? How Queer Space and Architecture by Martin Jensen walked together with days’. Everyone is from being a small
can ANSO motivate and Ellen T. O’Gara, Blus, Denmark. Q, the icelandic queer welcome at this demonstration to
its members and Introduction to the idea of a Queer Survival student organization, family friendly become a festival of 5
strengthen its member Kit by Vignir Freyr Helgason, Q, Iceland and in the parade also event. It is an event days with not only the
organizations? What is Ellen T. O’Gara, Blus, Denmark. known as the biggest with 50-70.000 of parade itself but also
ANSO’s vision? small Pride Parade. Reykjavik’s 120.000 numerous lectures,
Our floater at the inhabitants in the parties and other
saturday parade was streets celebrating events.
in form of a Queer the diversity of
Travelling Agency; queer people. The queer rights
Wonderland Express Grandparents, parents, campaign in Iceland
and our destination cousins, children and has a history of
was set to a Queer grandchildren all take thirty years (since
Wonderland. The lucky part in the event 1978). A chronicle of
spectators were given either as audience or struggle and victory
a boarding pass in the actual parade. almost unique in the
with instructions world. From being an
kindly asking them It was an amazing invisible group of an
to leave all their experience to oppressed minority,
prejudices behind participate in Queers in Iceland have
and some information this celebration now gained social and
about the conference, and feeling the legal rights which is
heteronormativity, Q warm support of the comparable to the best
and ANSO. Icelandic nation. of its kind in the
world.
The Icelandic Pride The Gay Pride
Parade is one of a festivities in

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Facts of Iceland
Population and fighting prejudice legal status of gays
300.000 became a family issue and lesbians in
The country among the Icelanders Iceland took effect.
Iceland is an island where family Important changes
Class Wonderlandexpress
of 103.000 km2 (39,756 connections are still included changes Seat & Class
sq.miles), about one- strong in a population to the statutes on One class
Wherever
third larger than of only 300,000. confirmed cohabitation Flight & Date
Scotland or Ireland. Queer bars from 1996 granting Q-101 ... 09.08.2008
Energy Q-bar is the only gay gay and lesbian
Boarding Time: Now and in near future Destination
Situated on the Mid- bar in Iceland but couples full rights to Wonderland
Atlantic Ridge, several other venues adoption and lesbian Departing from Destination
Iceland is a hot host gay events. couples to assisted
Hlemmur Queer Wonderland Remarks
spot of volcanic and Queer rights pregnancies. Confirmed
We kindly ask all our
geothermal activity. The first milestone cohabitation now in Passenger Name
passengers to leave
Queer organizations victory on the legal effect grants the their prejudices behind
Me, you and everyone we know
Q - organization front came in 1996 full legal rights before boarding.
of queer students, with the passing of of marriage. Same-
The Organization of laws on confirmed sex cohabitants BOARDING PASS
1978 - the National cohabitation, but even also gain the right
Organization of so, gays and lesbians to register their
Lesbians and Gay were still barred from cohabitation with the
Men in Iceland, was adopting or seeking authorities without
founded in 1978, at a assisted pregnancies full confirmation or
time when prejudice in Iceland’s free marriage - a right
and discrimination public hospitals. which opposite-sex
forced many gays and On Christopher Street couples have enjoyed
lesbians to immigrate Day, June 27 2006, for many years
abroad. The success of laws improving the already.
the new organization
was remarkable. In Links
just a few years, it www.samtokin78.is (Organization ‘78)
managed to set up an www.qbar.is (Only Queer bar in Iceland)
extensive dialog, the www.queer.is (Q, organization of Queer students)
media came out in www.gayice.is (Information on Iceland for Queer
support of gay rights travellers)

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 Loosening the
grip of
Heteronormativity
During a week in January 2009 ANSO
hosted its second study session
called ‘Loosening the Grip of
Heteronormativity” at the European
Youth Centre in Strasbourg, France. 28
participants from 21 different countries
of the Council of Europe member states,
Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan came together to
learn the basics of heteronormativity
and intersectionality; possible ways of
challenging them in higher education
and learning more about the Council of
Europe, in particular the Directorate of
Youth and Sport, student policy making,
advocacy and lobbying.

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Participants Brought together program. ANSO’s own the Educational
recognized or they LGBTQ people in the for a week in the members led workshops Advisor at the
The participants came are criminalized and represented countries European Youth Centre and we were also European Youth Centre
from the Council in other countries proved to be so 28 participants took lucky to have two for her assistance and
of Europe member LGBTQ people have different that it at part in an intensive guest speakers: Elin time. The final report
states, Lebanon and attained what in times became difficult program of workshops, Rosenberg, the former will be available at
Kyrgyzstan. It was a comparison could to find a common ground discussions, group president of Swedish www.anso.dk
diverse group of young initially seems like for discussion and work and lectures. National Union of
people with different equal rights. It was especially common Heteronormativity; Students and Marco
nationalities, highly motivating and methods for acquiring Intersectionality; Perolini, equality
sexual identities, inspirational to share human rights. Still Policy making; officer at the European
gender expressions experiences across the knowledge gained Advocacy and Lobbying; Youth Forum.
and educational borders and be able from having so diverse Team Building;
backgrounds. Some to share resources countries represented Organizational Fairs We would like to thank
were active in LGBTQ and best practices. was valuable not only and a visit to the the European Youth
organizations and The mixture of LGBTQ in understanding how Council of Europe Centre in Strasbourg
others in student activists and student heteronormativity Palais building were for accommodating us
unions. The legal union workers was very works independent of included in the and Sabine Klocker,
rights for LGBTQ beneficial for learning borders and cultural
people in the how the two groups differences but also
represented countries can work together for strengthening
are very different. to improve the the knowledge and
In some they are student environment understanding of
believed to be non and create Gay- each participant’s
existent, LGBTQ Straight Alliances. country’s own
people are simply not The situations for situation.

and even teachers. a heteronormative

Throughout the week of board game. All this
the study session the was accomplished in
participants worked just a week! The tools
in groups on their are currently in
ideas preparing them the funding and
as either physical improvement stage and
products or ideas. we are hoping to have
At the end of the the tools implemented
study session we had A.S.A.P! The ‘Queer
group presentations Survival Kit’ exists
The “Queer Survival of the work. There as an ongoing project
Kit” which was were several ideas which everyone will be
initially introduced of which some have able to contribute to
at the Queer been developed into on ANSO’s website www.
Wonderland conference concrete tools. They anso.dk. In the near
in Iceland, was include an ANSO future you will be
further developed at Calendar; Open- able to download your
the study session source Website own trial version of
in Strasbourg. The containing LGBTQ the heteronormative
Survival Kit will act related PHDs and other board game ‘Game of
as a tool for LGBTQ papers; brochures Norms’.
people to counteract with political
heteronormativity in strategies; strategies
Higher Education. for creating
It can be used by alliances with Student
students; young people Unions and finally

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 ANSO
ANSO was founded in 2004 by five Scandinavian
member organizations
member organizations. Today we have 12 members
from eight European countries. The youngest
member and newly established organization,
Estonian Gay Youth, is the 12th member of ANSO.
Skeivt Forum, or Queer
Forum, is a student
organisation based
BLUS is an at the University of
Estonian Gay Youth organization run Oslo and was founded
(EGN) is the only for and by LGBT in 2006. Our main aim
youth organisation students in and around is to create meeting
dealing with LGBTQ Copenhagen. BLUS places for students
issues in Estonia. organizes parties, who wish to engage
It started out as a debates, excursions, in activist work of
motivated youth group The Swedish Federation movie nights and other any kind, or who
representing the town of LGBTQ Student Lithuanian Gay League events. Every Tuesday Telehpy is an just want to have a
of Tartu, Estonia Organizations is a national non- we host a café in organization for gay good time with other
in March 2008 and (Sveriges Förenade profit, nongovernmental Copenhagen University and lesbian students students. We have
was registered as an HBTQ-studenter, SFQ) organization uniting student house. These at Helsinki University focused on seminars,
official organisation is a federation for homosexual, bisexual, nights are excellent of Technology panel debates focusing
in November 2008. EGN local LGBTQ student and transgender for meeting up with We have about 40 on a wide range of
has two target groups: organizations at persons. Our values friends for a drink in members and focus topics such as living
the LGBTQ community universities and and principles are a relaxed environment. mainly on social with HIV to cinematic
and the society in university colleges in respect and diversity; We have approximately events. As Helsinki portrayals of
general. For the Sweden. equal opportunities 200 members on our has numerous gay bars transpersons. However,
community we have Today, SFQ has 18 for participation mailing list who are and clubs, we try to we also organise
organised documentary member organizations, in organization active and attend our provide something quizzes, parties and
nights, parties and from Malmö in the activities; voluntary events. different: mainly the like. Throughout
sports activities in south to Piteå up participation and BLUS have a social space for Queer Forum’s couple
the hope of bringing north. The main goal transparency. recently started people to get to know of years, the little
people together. As of SFQ is to improve We follow our an international each other and spend student organisation
far as the society the situation for gay, vision to create a committee whose focus time together. We also has developed and
is concerned, we are lesbian, bisexual, respectful, open and is working with ANSO organize a few bigger taken clearer
dedicated to bringing transgender and queer inclusive Lithuanian and IGLYO, getting parties each year and political stances
the invisible LGBTQ students at Swedish society that is free more people involved events such as movie outward whilst not
issues out of the universities and of discriminatory in the international night, game nights forgetting who we are
closet in Estonia. university colleges. homophobic attitudes. work. etc. there for; namely the
www.tartu.vikerliit.eu www.hbtqstudenterna.se www.lgl.lt www.blus.dk www.telehpy.tky.fi students.

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 Campaign Against
Homophobia was founded
in 2001 and is a
LGBTQ non-government
Homoglobiini was organization operating UgleZ is a student
founded in 1990 by throughout Poland. TJA (Tolerant Youth organization, a social
students. We have more Our main goals are; Association) is youth forum and a place
than 50 members and publicizing the organisation dedicated to meet for queer
Q- Organization of around 5-10 exchange discussion on the to protecting human students in Bergen.
queer Students in student members every subject of sexual rights in Lithuania. One of the most
Iceland was founded year. We have meetings minorities’ problems; Founded in 2005, TJA important functions
the 19th of January twice a month. These shaping tolerant has quickly become for UgleZ is to be
1999 by gay students Friðarbogin is meetings are an attitudes towards the largest and a network for those
in the University of the first and only excellent opportunity people of other only human rights who just want to get
Iceland. Since then organization working to meet new people, than heterosexual organisation among to know other great
the organization for LGBT rights in discuss and make orientation and youth organisations people, and for those
has been growing the Faroe Islands and friends. removing prejudices in Lithuania. In 2007 who are not “out of
steadily and is now was founded October As tradition requires, and stereotypes TJA had 10 branches the closet” yet, or
open for all LGBTQ 17th 2003. It is the we party on the first concerning them; in several districts those who are still
students as well as only organization in of May, and we also promoting awareness of Lithuania, since questioning their
all people between ANSO that is not only arrange other parties, of sexual and gender 2007 it also is sexuality or gender
18 and 30 years old. aiming at students such as new members’ identification; IGLYO member. The identity and/or
The organization has but the community in nights, festive annual abolishing in main objectives of expression and would
three departments, general. What makes it celebrations with the Polish legal TJA are to: combat like a way into the
the international though fit so well in speeches, drinking system regulations the discrimination community.
department, the ANSO is the fact that songs and all those discriminating against including UgleZ has biweekly
social department most of its activists traditions. We have sexual orientation. discrimination against meetings and social
and department of are students. The also arranged regular To reach the goals LGBT and seek for gatherings, such as
education. Q is a main goal for the trips abroad and we are taking equality for all Queer movie nights
social forum for organization was to within Finland - often several actions people. TJA works to and parties, where
queer students in work for political, to Helsinki. including: legal influence Lithuanian we try to create a
Iceland, every other cultural and social We go to museums, and psychological institutions to safe space for LGBTQ
Friday we have Q-days liberation for homo- movies, the theatre, advisory, education in support LGBT youth students. We also have
where our members and bisexuals in we play laser war in schools, publishing and get their life events of academic or
and those interested the Faroe Islands. Megazone and do all awareness-raising better. We are writing activist character,
in the organization Friðarbogin has worked kinds of fun things. materials, consisting educative articles, aimed at educating and
can come together. Q closely with ANSO Sometimes we have of statistics based on organizing camps, film broadening the minds
works within various for quite some time, guest lecturers, countrywide research views, discussions, of our target group,
organisations such as for example when too. In the past and sociological reacting on events but also the rest of
Reykjavík Gay Pride organizing the first these have included analysis, promoting associated with human the local community.
committee, Reykjavík Pride in the Faroe makeup training and non-heteronormative rights. Our vision: The organization has
lesbian and gay film Islands, in August BDSM-introduction (a culture, political tolerant youth in 50 members.
festival and ANSO. 2005. lecture). lobbying etc. tolerant society. www.uglez.wordpress.
www.queer.is www.fridarbogin.com www.homoglobiini.fi www.kph.org.pl www.tja.lt com

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ANSO has launched a new website where you can
read about ANSO, the history of ANSO, past and
current projects, check out our member organi-
zations, look at photos and much more.

Check it out www.anso.dk

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