Our Bodies, Our Boundaries: Maternal Health Care for Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer People

The project “Our Bodies, Our Boundaries” aims to develop a model for the prevention of gender-based violence in maternal healthcare for lesbian, bisexual, and queer people.

What Problem Does the Project Address?

Many lesbian couples and non-binary individuals still face barriers to safe, respectful, and professional reproductive healthcare, including:

• Discriminatory practices and language

• Institutional homophobia or lack of competence

• Insufficient knowledge and training among medical professionals

• Secondary victimization in cases of violence

Main Objectives of the Project

The project seeks to create real pathways for support and systemic change through the following initiatives:

1. Working with crisis centersCollaborating with organizations that provide protection and shelter to ensure services meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in a sensitive, professional, and non-judgmental manner.

2. Analyzing the needs of women and non-binary peopleStudying experiences, challenges, barriers, and risks related to violence, including during pregnancy and reproductive procedures.

3. Training for frontline workersProviding professional training for medical professionals, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and crisis center staff on:

   - Addressing LGBTQI+ needs

   - Trauma-informed approaches

   - Non-violent and anti-discriminatory communication

4. National guidelines and standards of careDeveloping practical guidelines and manuals to support professionals at a national level and lay the foundation for long-term institutional change.

Why is it Important?

Healthcare is a human right. Pregnancy and parenthood should be a space of security, not fear. Violence and discrimination must never be barriers to the desire for a family.

The project is implemented with the support of the EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community and is part of the program “Preventing and Combating Intersectional Violence Against LGBTIQ Women and Non-Binary Persons.”.