Homosexuality in History 

The youth exchange gathered around 46 participants from Croatia, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, and Serbia from 15 to 24 July 2024, travel days included. In this project, young people explored the origins and historical development of gay rights. The activities took place in various locations in Orahovica.

The goal of the project was to explore the historical development of understanding of same-sex sexual acts in different cultures. The participants learned about how societies of ancient Greece and Rome viewed people engaged in same-sex sexual acts, who these people were, and why they engaged in such acts. The project also investigated the changes brought by the rise of Christianity. Finally, it addressed the development of the idea of homosexuality as an identity and how science can explain the reasons that homosexuality persisted throughout history and cultures. Participants also explored the modern challenges, the relationships between gay and lesbian individuals with other groups from the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, the obstacles homosexuals still encounter today, and how to overcome them.

Objectives: 

1. Explore historical development of the idea of homosexuality
2. Exploring the problems in applying modern concepts like homosexuality and
heterosexuality to historical events and persons
3. Better understand the problems of contemporary homosexuals and bisexuals
4. Better understand the relationship between sexual minorities (LGB) and other
groups in the LGBTIQ+ umbrella.