VIENNA PRIDE - A demonstration for diversity and LGBTQIA+ rights

Last Saturday was the rainbow parade in Vienna, around 340,000 people walked - against the direction of travel - around the Ring, danced and laughed, but above all demonstrated, demonstrated against discrimination and for LGBTQIA+ rights.

It is a matter close to my heart to take part in the demonstration as Ally. I walked the last section around the ring alone and was so touched by the atmosphere, so many people showing their individuality, standing up for themselves, perhaps even being brave enough to go beyond their own limits and try something new. So many smiling and beaming faces, so much joy and lightness. At the same time, there was a lot of curiosity for each other and I experienced a lot of consideration and attentiveness that I don't usually see in such crowds. The appreciation of togetherness was so present, the awareness that the LGBTQIA+ community can achieve much more together than individually, and the certainty of not being alone. This touched me so much, because for me these are exactly the qualities that we so urgently need in our society, in companies, organizations and families: the appreciation of the uniqueness of each individual person and the clear commitment to togetherness.

Afterwards, I walked home alone from the Ring towards the Gürtel, just as I had been at the parade, wearing a bit of make-up and holding the rainbow flag. I was surprised that the further I got from the city center, the stranger I felt. When I spotted a rainbow flag somewhere, I suddenly felt safer and realized that queer people could feel just as open. I also came across a homosexual couple on my way home and the two young men automatically let go of their hands when they realized that they were being seen ... Yes, Pride is shrill and weird and for some people that may be off-putting, and yes, I'm also aware that not all parts of the community agree, but many people don't know what the realities of life are like for LGBTQIA+ people in everyday life and that queer people experience a lot of discrimination, both in their professional and private lives. That's why the conversation, the debate and the rainbow parade are needed.