For over a dozen years, the Association for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender Persons and Queer Persons “Diversity Workshop” has been working for legal and actual equality of LGBTQ+ persons from Torun and the surrounding area. It conducts both assistance activities and activities aimed at promoting the visibility of LGBTQ+ persons and raising public awareness. The Workshop also supports Torun Rainbow Support and Integration Centre “Equator” (“Równik”), i.e. a safe space for LGBTQ+ persons, their place on the map of Torun, where they can meet, get to know each other, spend time together, participate in workshops, trainings, and meetings. “Equator” is mainly attended by many LGBTQ+ teenagers and young adults. Psychological and legal support is also available on site.

The Workshop is the only such organization on the map of Torun. And “Equator” is the only place of this type not only in the voivodeship, but also in Poland. “Our feminism is primarily the perspective of minorities – lesbians, bisexual women, transwomen, and other non-heteronormative women – and multiple exclusion (…) We are aware of our place on the borderline” – declared the Association.

The Empowerment Grant will be allocated to the activity of “Equator”, so that the Center can operate as it has before. The money from the grant will cover the costs of renting the premises, utilities, the remuneration of the person coordinating the work of the Center, and other expenses related to its activity.

The Empowerment Grants in 2022 were co-financed by the Federal Foreign Office as part of the project “Civil society dialogue – including all voices”, implemented jointly with filia.die fraunestiftung.