Building A Rainbow Bridge: Leeds’s LGBT+ Study Visit to Oeiras, Portugal
- Global Leeds
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
As part of the “Rainbow Connections” project, colleagues from Leeds City Council recently visited the Municipality of Oeiras, Portugal, for an opportunity to share in-person each city's experience with LGBT+ issues, fostering mutual learning and inclusive practice.
Rainbow Connections is a project funded by the Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities Programme. It brings together Leeds and the municipality of Oeiras in Portugal, and involves the two local authorities working with their LGBT+ staff and local non-governmental organisations in a series of awareness-raising sessions bringing together LGBT+ people and the wider community.
The visit began with a warm welcome from Councillor Teresa Bacelar, who highlighted the importance of municipal leadership in promoting equality and inclusion. Representatives from Leeds and Oeiras shared their respective journeys in equality and anti-discrimination work, reflecting on key campaigns, staff networks, and the progress made through Rainbow Connections. Leeds’ recent anti-discrimination campaign sparked particular interest.
A key part of the visit involved exploring local support services for LGBT+ communities. The team visited APAV, a victim support unit located within a police station—an initially surprising concept for the Leeds delegation. However, APAV’s ability to create a safe, separate, and welcoming space for victims was impressive. Their holistic approach includes emotional support, legal guidance, and continued care beyond the closure of criminal cases, demonstrating a deep commitment to dignity and justice.
The group also visited ILGA Portugal, where they met board-member Catarina Almeida, whose work they had previously encountered online. ILGA’s breadth of services—from helplines and support groups to advocacy, research, and consultancy—was striking. The organisation’s integrated model offers a powerful example of how diverse support functions can coexist under one roof. Discussions also touched on the gap between progressive legislation and lived experiences, acknowledging that legal protections don’t always translate into everyday safety and acceptance for LGBT+ individuals.
On the second day, participants joined a focus group with municipal staff and police officers who had completed training on intercultural competence in LGBT+ service provision. The session encouraged reflection on personal biases, the meaning of inclusion, and the impact of lived experience in training delivery. Many participants expressed how the informal, open style of the training helped them feel safe to learn, make mistakes, and grow. They also felt the session being delivered by someone with lived experience was particularly powerful in deepening understanding and empathy.
The Leeds team also met with senior officials from Human Resources in Oeiras to learn about their work on staff wellbeing and inclusive workplace culture. These exchanges underscored the importance of embedding inclusion not just in public-facing services, but within organisational structures and staff experiences.
The visit to Oeiras was a valuable reminder that while cities may differ in context, the challenges and aspirations around LGBT+ inclusion are often shared. Looking ahead, both cities will continue to build on this momentum. More in-person training sessions are planned, and another online exchange will offer further opportunities to share insights and strengthen intercultural collaboration.
The Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities Programme supports cities and regions in reviewing and adapting their policies through an intercultural lens and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity as an advantage for the whole society. Leeds has been a member of Intercultural Cities since 2019.
The Council of Europe is a pan-European international organization focused on promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across the continent. It's not part of the European Union, although it shares some member states. Established in 1949, it has 46 member states. The UK is a founding member.