Lezzie Think Tank & Leaving Your Trace, Kiev, Ukraine, 2009

The Exhibition tour for State of Mind also includs the Lezzie Think Tank (LTT) and the videoworkshop Leaving Your Trace. Both carried out in close collaboration with the Organization Insite on September 13th. In the relay the topics came from Kharkiv. The new set of issues to be discussed will be sent to Minsk.

It was documented by the artists. The national Ukrainian Television made an appointment to come and ask questions related to State of Mind basically they are the same type of questions as are generally brought up in the LTT.

In Kiev the questions were sorted in to categories and each category could select a color of paper to write the response on. It was then posted on the LTT-board next to the art work. The Lezzy Think Tank was held during regular open hours of the Gogol Festival and was open to the general audience to listen in. This was a request from the collaborating organization Insite it was no problem for the festival to have such activity going on in the space. (This should be seen in relation to that the movie Bruno was censored in Ukraine just weeks before the opening)

Below are the responses to the questions from Kharkiv.
(As delivered to the artists after translation into English)

Pink
LGBT questions in academic community
1. We know, have it

2. Konn, gender studies, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

3. For work of research associates for the benefit of public opinion.

4. Of course these interactions are needed, because theory without practice is not always effective.
Because educational (academic) community can give end-product (scientific thought) for its adaptation and realization, implementation by NGOs.
For justification of changes in state legislation regarding homosexual relationships (for example, need of statistics for justification of changes)
Public educational lectures – so that audience could get the reliable information from professional positive-minded sources.

Blue
1. Big gay organizations, women’s – only 3; many of them declare to be mixed, but mostly work with gay men. Because more money is granted for HIV/AIDS. Many factors affect (such as gender discrimination, different interests).
2. For cooperation, it could help to have joint activities and events, common interests, personal contacts and connections.
3. Forms and topics of cooperation: human rights, advocacy. Service field may have differences in interests.
4. Obstacles for cooperation: competition, personal interests, many chauvinist man who consider women to be second-class, every leader has his/her “crown” and ambitions.
5. Funding opportunities: among foreign, international funds stronger emphasis is made on HIV/AIDS than on community building. Very hard to find sufficient funding for LB-women.
6. Cooperation opportunities with government: very few opportunities, state authorities are not open, very few opportunities for change of the law. But attempts are made.
7. Human rights: there is legal nihilism in the country.
8. LGBT people are considered to be perverts; it is very hard to stand for one’s rights. People are afraid for their lives and wellbeing, and because of that they do not seek help.

Green
Personal
1. artificial insemination
accidental pregnancy
“friendship” with gays

2. financial position (money, accommodation, etc.)
mutual understanding in the family
living together for 3-4 years

3. child of single mother and consequences (state marriage registry office, Schshengen visa)
homophobic spirit of teachers and peers, friends.

4. physiological sensations of parents (fear or no fear) (1 vote out of 3) none (2 votes out of 3)

5. majority votes accepted that for society non-biological parents position themselves as family members, and openly admit it (as aunt, godmother, less frequently – second mother)

6. need of coming-out will mostly appear when there is recognition of homosexual relationship in society/country (it will affect the official settlement of marital status and real estate) – 2 votes out of 3.
strong need of coming-out right NOW!! (1 vote out of 3)

7. one of respondents calls mother to ask what are the “criteria”. Mother approves nontraditional orientation.
people were visible; society gets used to them
normalization of the social attitude towards nontraditional families and children.

Orange
1. There are mixed or thematic parties. But most clubs are for gay men. There are couple places – cruising areas, where people get together. There are a lot of opportunities to attend seminars and trainings for personal growth and community building.

2. On the post-Soviet space there are no prominent lesbians who made public coming-out. Intimidated. There are men – gay: Anatoliy Yarema, Roman Viktyuk.

3. Queer-weeks have been held for 2 years in a row. There is the initiative group that stages amateur theatrical performance. There are art-workshops which are held by LGBTQ-organizations. There is a group in Odessa that does something. In Kharkov. 4. This is a stereotype, people think that all lesbians are sporty. Because it attracts more people, it is entertaining (show), interesting, unites people into the group. 5. Appraising look, often short haircuts. Not all are recognizable. There is a tendency to have fewer distinctions in the recent times. 6. There are possibilities, in clubs, at events, on websites, at cruising areas, at sport events.