[diversity] Hosting RIPE85 in Serbia that is trying to cancel EuroPride 2022

Hi,

as I am originally from Belgrade, I feel personally compelled to reply; 
however, I am also working for NCC who is organising the event,
so I have multiple hats here....

On 27/08/2022 22:17, Cynthia Revström wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> It appears that the Serbian president is currently attempting to
> cancel the EuroPride 2022 event that the Serbian PM earlier committed
> to fully support[1].

This is indeed unfortunate, worrying & even scary.

Feeling safe, physically and emotionally, is a basic requirement for 
attendees, and as event orgnaisers we are trying to achieve that...

... however, this has to be balanced with another goal we have as a 
facilitator for community engagement, and that is: meeting people where 
they are -- and in this case, it is "Eastern Europe".

As you, Cynthia, mention on one of your later messages,
we can not limit ourselves to only supporting (relatively) safe(r) / 
progressive parts of the world...

... since bringin RIPE meeting closer to the local community DOES give 
them support, by offering role models, making it financially easier for 
local community to attend, and possible to travel without visas (to give 
just a few examples).

> I feel like hosting RIPE meetings in countries that would try to
> cancel pride events, seemingly at least in part because of anti-LGBTQ+
> protesters is not great if we want to increase diversity and
> inclusivity.

I agree that _this_ part of inclusivity criteria is now under threat -- 
and I wonder:

what can we do to make it safer?

OTOH, as an ex-local, I would LOVE it for our event to be *helpful* and 
supportive to the local community!!

I have been taking parts in the struggles of local LGBTQ community for 
rights, recognition, acceptance & safety ~30 years ago... and now I am 
in the position to contribute more & better -- so please, let's think 
together:

what can we do to support & engage with local community?

(I will connect with my old/local contacts & work on this...)


> Sure, it is a lot better than when it was decided to host one in the
> UAE a few years ago but that is a pretty low bar.
> 
> To further increase diversity and inclusion, I think it would make
> sense to require that the RIPE meetings are only hosted in
> cities/countries that support LGBTQ+ rights.

I see a difference between a country that has oppressive _legal_ system, 
and a country that has parts of general population with hostile 
attitudes...

Serbia's formal, legal position is not "the worst" in Europe (23/49) ;
the sentiments are a different story, and, personally, a very sad one :(


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Serbia


> While not the entire reason, it being hosted in Serbia was part of my
> decision to not attend RIPE85.

I'll miss you there...

Vesna


-- 
Senior Community Builder, RIPE NCC
Working times: Monday-Thursday 10-16 CEST
https://labs.ripe.net/author/becha/