"GENDERDOC"
Our History
The Information Center “GENDERDOC-M” was founded on May 8, 1998, and is the oldest non-governmental organization that is actively promoting the rights of the LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and other) community in the Republic of Moldova. During its work “GENDERDOC-M ” has carried out more than fifty projects of various scales. They were aimed at solving the strategic tasks of the organization in different periods of its development.
The results were achieved through informing society about sexual orientation and gender identity, lobbying for LGBT+ interests and rights in government structures and international organizations, strategic litigation, prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs (sexually transmitted infections), promotion of healthy lifestyles, organizing social and cultural events, psychological and legal counseling for community members, organizing support groups (for transgender people, LGBT+ adolescents, people living with HIV, gay men of the third age, families of LGBT+ people), working with professional groups (psychologists, sociologists, journalists, police, medical workers), etc.
The Information Center “GENDERDOC-M” is a member of the board and founder of the Coalition for Non-Discrimination, a member of the National Coordinating Council on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, National Youth Council of Moldova, ILGA-Europe (European department of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People Association), IGLYO (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Youth and Student Organization).
The work of the Center has been recognized both in Moldova (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Center for Human Rights, Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights, etc.) and at the international level (Council of Europe, European Parliament, UN and OSCE missions in Moldova, etc.).
The Information Center “GENDERDOC-M” has been recognized by the Ministry of Justice as a socially useful organization and has been awarded a certificate confirming the important role of the Center in social work at the national level.
In 2012, the Center was awarded by the UN representation in Moldova “for its work in combating discrimination through litigation, advocacy, and educational activities”. The explanatory memorandum notes that the organization “is the only one in Moldova that defends the interests and rights of LGBT+ groups at the national and international level”. The experts called the Information Center “a national voice and a regional leader” in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and in the fight against various types of discrimination.
Mission
Creating a favorable legal and social environment in society for people of different sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sexual characteristics by developing the LGBT+ community, informing, promoting rights, providing services and organizational development.
Vision
A society open to diversity, in which people of different sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual characteristics are a visible and equal part.
Values and Principles
- Everyone has equal rights, including civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights.
- No one has the right to discriminate and humiliate a person regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Everyone has the right to receive accurate information about the legal aspects related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Human rights organizations and activists should be guided by the principles of universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and close relationship with human rights, including LGBT+ rights.
- The state has the obligation to prevent and, in the case of illegal acts, prosecute an offender accused of committing acts of discrimination and violence, inciting violence and hatred, and humiliating or insulting a person based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
- The state and the media must objectively inform the public about various aspects of sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Everyone has the right to be recognized and to express their gender identity.
- The state must legally recognize the existence of same-sex couples and grant them the same rights as heterosexual couples.