Young LGBTIQ+ individuals often face significant violence in their most private spaces, particularly at home, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This violence also extends to other key areas of their lives, such as schools, universities, and public spaces, where they are frequently targets of bullying and physical attacks. In response, Ekvalis has created a safe physical space where young LGBTIQ+ people can come together, disconnected from the unsafe and traumatic environments they often experience. This space is co-created with the input of its visitors, who design activities and programs that cater to their needs. The co-creation process has been supported by the SMART Balkans Core grant, which emphasizes strategic interventions shaped by the space’s beneficiaries. Ekvalis views this space as a hub for networking and building connections between the LGBTIQ+ community and potential allies. This approach is based on the concept of “chosen families,” common in queer communities. When biological families often fail to provide the necessary support for LGBTIQ+ individuals, Ekvalis creates a space where they can form their own supportive networks, or chosen families, offering the care and community they may lack at home.
Ekvalis serves as a safe space primarily for young people with marginalized identities, particularly LGBTIQ+ individuals. It also welcomes allies and hosts events to build allyship between LGBTIQ+ and non-LGBTIQ+ people. The space is used by activists working on democratization, human rights, and public space defense, as well as by emerging non-formal groups and civic initiatives that need a private space for meetings. Thanks to the SMART Balkans grant, these groups can use the space free of charge.
The partner in developing and maintaining of this space are the beneficiaries of the organization. In the first 9 months alone, over 20 participants contributed to creating actions and programs that engaged more than 150 people.
In conclusion, the Ekvalis space has proven to be a vital resource for its users, offering more than just a venue for events. As one beneficiary describes, Ekvalis is an “open, honest, and authentic place” where youth can gather, express themselves, and realize their ideas, whether for a drag workshop or a meditative dance session. It provides a haven where individuals can be themselves, free from societal taboos and stereotypes. Another beneficiary emphasizes that Ekvalis stands out by offering a daytime space for genuine connection and engagement, distinct from typical nighttime venues like clubs and bars. This space affirms that queer identities deserve visibility and expression at all times, reinforcing the idea that people should be seen and heard beyond societal expectations.
