A spontaneous plan came up to hold a CSD in Schongau.
But it is time for the LGBTQ * community to take to the streets for visibility and acceptance, the young organizers believe.
Schongau
- “There's nothing like that here!” Was the response of a girl from the district to be heard when she came out. Nonsense, say they and numerous fellow campaigners. Homosexuality, bisexuality or transsexuality are neither a trend nor an urban phenomenon. People with these identities live everywhere. “Even in our area, which is considered to be conservative,” says Soja-Nemo Heißerer (25), who is organizing the first Christopher Street Day (CSD; see box) in Schongau together with almost 20 young people from the region.
The LGBTQ * movement (abbreviation taken from English for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, i.e. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer - sometimes there is an asterisk or a plus at the end of the abbreviation, plus others that are not named Including identities) is not visible in the region, which leads to the misconception that they do not exist, explains Heißerer.
That should change with the CSD.
Christopher Street Day: This is what it's about
Christopher Street Day (CSD) has its roots in New York's Christopher Street, where demonstrations and riots against police arbitrariness against homosexuals first took place in June 1969.
The CSD has now established itself as a festival or demonstration day for homosexuals, bisexuals, queer, inter and transsexuals as well as transgender people in many cities around the world and promotes equality, acceptance and tolerance.
There is no fixed day when to celebrate - but the CSD usually takes place in the summer months.
Usually it's colorful, happy, loud and shrill.
CSD in Schongau: This is how the idea came about
The decision to organize the CSD was made relatively spontaneously - as part of a meeting of the Fridays for Future local group. “At some point we realized that we were the purest rainbow troop,” says Soja-Nemo Heißerer and laughs. But that was not the decisive factor: "I suggested posting something on the subject on our Instagram page during the 'Pride month'", explains Heißerer. Every year June is dedicated to the LGBTQ * community, which promotes more tolerance and celebrates the diversity of society. “Why not organize a CSD right away? We now know how to register and organize demonstrations, ”said a friend.
No sooner said than done, soy-nemo hotter sums it up.
Sure, you are relatively close.
But that's not a problem.
“It's going like clockwork.” The police have given the go-ahead.
Only the demo route still has to be coordinated, according to Heißerer.
One thing is certain: it starts on Saturday, June 26th, at 2.30 p.m. at Schongauer Marienplatz.
For the final rally and subsequent get-together, it goes to the swan pond.
Participants should like to linger there and talk to each other - of course, everything taking into account the Corona guidelines, emphasizes Hoterer.
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CSD in Schongau: Numerous supporters found
A number of supporters and co-organizers quickly found each other outside of the Fridays for Future group, says Heißerer happily. In addition, the response has been consistently positive so far. The organizing team received a lot of happy feedback.
Now, of course, the organizers hope that many participants will also come to the first CSD in Schongau.
"Honestly, we cannot assess that at all," says Heißerer.
The comparison value is missing.
“It won't be as huge as Cologne,” says Heißerer and laughs.
With around one million visitors, the CSD there is considered the largest in Germany.
Lechstadt should also be colorful, loud and happy.
"Unfortunately we don't have any live music, but there will be a bit of a party atmosphere," said Heißerer.
Companies, clubs and groups that take part in CSDs in other cities are missing here.
“But everyone is welcome,” emphasizes HOTERER.
Whether young or old, families or alone, homosexual or heterosexual.
"We are happy about everyone who comes by."
CSD in Schongau with the aim of creating community
The focus of the Schongau CSD is the exchange and the opportunity to make new contacts with people who have had similar experiences or who share the same point of view.
In particular, young people who might otherwise feel alone, according to the organizers' own experience, want to help and show: "We are here too!"
Procedure and information:
The demonstration through the city starts on June 26th at 2.30 p.m. at Marienplatz in Schongau.
Further information is available on the Instagram page "csd_schongau".
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