Panteia offers insights to OCW for lhbtiqa+ policy

Today (17^th of May)  is International Day Against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Phobia (IDAHOBIT). Worldwide, the day calls attention for the social undesirability of discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, expression or gender characteristics. It is important to pay attention to this, as research shows, such as the latest evaluation of the Rainbow Cities policy conducted by Panteia. In addition, we are currently actively contributing to this by conducting the lhbtiqa+ monitor, in collaboration with Movisie and Ipsos I&O. 

The evaluation of the Rainbow Cities Policy showed that the programme is a catalyst for municipalities: because there is a programme, it gets on the agenda and receives political attention and priority within the municipality. This has had the following positive effects.

• Increase in deployment of human capacity;
• Increase in deployment of financial resources;
• Increased political attention and involvement locally, nationally and internationally;
• The spearheads of local lhbtiqa+ policy have remained more or less the same: promoting social acceptance in general, education, care and sports.
• There are signs that lhbtiqa+ policy is being used more broadly, e.g. through education in schools, clubs and associations and initiatives in the cultural field;
• Improved, intensified and increased cooperation between municipality and lhbtiqa+ interest groups and initiators.

However, continuity is a concern among municipalities. With turnover or shifting priorities, attention and commitment to lhbtiqa+ empowerment may slacken.

To support policymakers in identifying focus areas and providing insight into the results of initiatives, there is the lhbtiqa+ Monitor. This provides insight into trends and developments among the various lhbtiqa+ target groups compared to cisgender heterosexual people in the Netherlands.

Together with Movisie and Ipsos I&O, Panteia is working on a further development of the earlier lhbt-Monitor, paying more attention to asexual, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons. In the new monitor, we also pay more attention to intersectional groups, such as lhbtiqa+ persons of colour or with disabilities. The lhbtiqa+ monitor is currently underway and will be published after the summer.

The report for the evaluation of the Rainbow Cities Policy can be read here (in Dutch) 

Expert quote from Eveline de Weerd: 

"During my previous work at an international non-profit organisation, I saw that a lot still needs to be done worldwide to eliminate discrimination and violence against minority groups, including lhbtiqa+ persons. In the Netherlands too, unfortunately, there is still much to be gained. The lhbtiqa+ monitor, which Panteia is currently conducting in collaboration with Movisie and Ipsos I&O, offers important insights to policymakers to improve the position of lhbtiqa+ persons in the Netherlands. Step by step, we can contribute to a more inclusive society through research."