GENDERDOC-M is the first non-governmental organization to defend and promote LGBTQI+ rights in the Republic of Moldova. The mission of the organization is to foster an improved legislative, legal and social environment for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders through advocacy, by building a supportive LGBTQI+ community and by providing information and services to them. GENDERDOC-M has been recognized by the Ministry of Justice of Moldova as a socially useful organization and has been awarded a certificate confirming the important role of its social work at the national level.
Through the Addressing Hate-Based Crimes (AHC) in Moldova project implemented by Millennium Partners, GENDERDOC-M aims to contribute to combatting hate speech and hate crimes in Moldova. The Millennium AHC project team met with Angela Frolov, GENDERDOC-M Director and LGBT Rights Lobby and Advocacy Program Coordinator, to discuss how the grantee is working to improve the capacity of members of the LGBTQI+ community to protect their rights, have better access to legal and psychological assistance, and reduce stigma by promoting inclusion.
- What are the main human rights challenges in Moldova within the GENDERDOC-M area of focus, and what are the most pressing issues faced by the LGBT+ community you represent?
Angela Frolov: The biggest challenge we face is societal attitudes. For decades, LGBTQI+ people in Moldova have been discriminated against, marginalized and demonized. The prevailing gender norms are also a significant disadvantage, further affecting the LGBT community. We are not seen as ordinary individuals, but rather as people defined solely by our sexuality, often in ways that society finds unacceptable. The shame, disgust, fear, and devaluation many people feel toward LGBTQI+ individuals are primarily focused on the sexual aspect. This stigma underpins many of the legal issues that the LGBTQI+ community encounters, including discrimination, as well as verbal, physical, and even sexual violence. Moreover, some politicians exploit these harmful attitudes, using homophobia and transphobia to gain supporters. They perpetuate hate speech and encourage discrimination against LGBT people, believing it will win them votes.
- How do hate crimes manifest in relation to the group your organization represents?
Angela Frolov: Hate crimes against LGTBQI+ people often begin within their family. When parents discover their child is LGBT, the child may face various forms of violence—verbal, physical, psychological, medical, and even financial. In some cases, parents force their children to undergo unnecessary medical treatments, like hormone therapy, which has no relevance to sexual orientation but can seriously harm their health. Children may also be deprived of food or isolated from their peers, kept indoors without any opportunity for social interaction. Beyond the home, there’s a high risk of being attacked in public simply because someone assumes you are LGBT based on your appearance.
- What does GENDERDOC-M aim to achieve through the award from the AHC project, and how will it benefit the organization and its target community?
Angela Frolov: GENDERDOC-M operates according to a three-year strategic plan, which is reviewed annually. This plan outlines our long-term vision and the steps we need to take to achieve it. Each project contributes to this journey. The partnership with Millennium, through the AHC project, is helping us take the steps that will lead to a more open society in Moldova, with a greater acceptance of diversity. Thus, we will conduct activities that will educate the LGBTQI+ community about their rights and self-protection strategies, provide legal and psychological support, and produce human stories to inspire more acceptance in society. We will also document all cases of homophobia and transphobia in an annual report, which will also include policy recommendations to combat discrimination against LGBTQI+ representatives.
- What are the organization’s priorities for the near future, and where is support most needed?
Angela Frolov: GENDERDOC-M has four main programs, with distinct priorities: LGBT lobby and advocacy, organizational capacity building, LGBTQI+ community strengthening, and an “LGBT health” program. We are also advocating for the passing of two critical laws: one for legal gender recognition, which would create a clear process for trans people to change their legal documents, and another that would grant LGBTQI+ couples equal rights by allowing them to officially register their relationships. Additionally, we need to ensure that existing laws are properly enforced, such as the anti-discrimination law and the provisions in the criminal and misdemeanor codes addressing hate crimes. Teaming up with Millennium Partners is essential to help GENDERDOC-M provide support to the Moldovan LGBTQI+ community, and also develop our own organizational capacities.
