A week against discrimination
From November 13 to 17, Montpellier University held its annual week of action against LGBT+ phobia. This year's program focused on LGBT struggles, both past and present. Because despite the progress that has been made, LGBT people are still too often the target of discrimination and violence.
May 17 is an important date: it is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. An important day, but just one day. Not enough for the University of Montpellier, which has decided to give this event more prominence. "We have turned this day into a week of action against LGBT+ phobias, which we have chosen to schedule in November, because in May there are fewer students on campus," says Laure Parmentier, head of the quality of life at work department.
Reaching as many people as possible is a key challenge in a struggle that remains as relevant as ever. "With the advancement of rights, we may feel that things are changing, but in reality what is needed is equal treatment for all," emphasizes Julie Boiché, Vice President of Social Responsibility.
Reach as many people as possible
The fight against discrimination against LGBT people has always been a key focus of the institution's policy. In 2016, it became the first French university to sign the charter of the association L'autre cercle (The Other Circle) in favor of greater inclusion of LGBT+ staff in the workplace. This initiative will be extended in 2022 with the signing of a new charter that includes students.
And to reach as wide an audience as possible, the organizers of this week-long campaign against LGBT+ phobia have put together a program that uses art and cinema as "mediators to reach people who might not necessarily feel connected to this cause,"explains Laure Parmentier.
Staff and students were able to attend screenings of the film L’étincelle in Carcassonne, Perpignan, and Montpellier, where director Benoît Masocco was present and a discussion followed that was very well received by the audience. This event was extended by the opening of the exhibition "L’amour ne se juge pas, il se vit" (Love cannot be judged, it must be lived) on November 17. "For a month, around twenty original creations by visual artist Laure Boin, as well as by UM students and staff who came to learn the art of collage, will be on display at (S)pace," explains Laure Parmentier.
Online harassment
Another highlight of this extraordinary week was the round table discussion entitled "Online hate: a scourge for LGBT+ people," which took place on November 14 with three speakers: Shani Benoualid, founder of the #jesuislà association, Aurélien Robert, lawyer at the Montpellier Bar and member ofthe Nuage association, and Naeva Nossovitch, clinical psychologist at the university health center.
This choice was not made at random: "Cyberbullying is a major problem in the fight against discrimination. According to the latest annual report from the association SOS Homophobia, online violence tops the list of acts against LGBT people, accounting for 18% of all acts of violence, ahead of intra-family issues in particular," explains Laure Parmentier.
Beyond these events, this week is "an opportunity to reaffirm the fact that UM is committed to fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, " emphasizes the Vice President for Social Responsibility. "It's an important time that raises awareness, but we must remain vigilant throughout the year and ensure that everyone can live their professional lives to the fullest and flourish without having to hide , " insists Julie Boiché.
And to make the University of Montpellier an inclusive institution, many other actions are being taken. These include a listening center, HR measures, awareness-raising documents, and working with local authorities to promote regional coordination. "Fighting against these forms of discriminationis an ongoing effort, all year round, to create an environment where everyone can live normally," concludes Julie Boiché.
