The socio-political LGTBI mediterranean

The Mediterranean basin is a region plagued with light and shadows. Behind its idyllic, mystical, historical or tourism-related image lie buried struggles for survival, flights and diasporas, conflicts and disasters, repression and prohibitions, private and collective dramas. Among them, lesbian, gay, trangender, bisexual and intersex people (LGTBI) live out their consequences either directly or indirectly.

The cities of the Mediterranean are deemed some of the best LGTBI tourism destinations in the world (Barcelona, Ibiza, Mykonos, etc.), where the number of gay-friendly or recognised gay-pride cruises, hotels and restaurants (in Tel Aviv, in Barcelona…) increase every year. Nevertheless, in these same countries, the LGTBI movement has to carry on fighting to achieve equal rights (assisted reproduction for lesbians, marriage, social inclusion, adoption, etc.), whilst in other, more conflict-ridden countries members of the LGTBI community are outlawed, persecuted and expelled (Egypt), condemned (in Algeria and Morocco, to prison sentences, fines and social exclusion), tortured and even murdered.

Es Baluard, in conjunction with Ben Amics LGTBI Illes Balears, proposes an open, participative session as an opportunity to reflect on LGTBI matters related to the current Mediterranean socio-political context (rights, asylum, displacements, and others). The activity will take place as a result of the exhibition “La Mer au Millieu des Terres // Mare Medi Terraneum”, after which the possibility of developing a joint “LGTBI Mediterranean Manifesto” drafted by all the participants will be addressed.

This activity is framed in a line of programmes on Feminisms, Genders and Transgenders being carried out at Es Baluard.