« Queerer Aktionsplan Bayern jetzt! »

Bavaria is Germany’s only federal state that does not yet have a programme for equality and against discrimination of LGBTIQ*. With a petition, a panel discussion and various actions, Munich Pride is putting pressure on the country’s state government.

Munich, 31 January 2023 – Prides all over Bavaria are joining forces giving themselves a motto to campaign together for a queer action plan during the Pride season. "Queerer Aktionsplan Bayern jetzt! " is this year’s slogan. It is 15 to one: Even the national government has recently given itself an action plan for equality and against discrimination of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans*, inter* and queer people. The Bavarian state government, however, thinks this is unnecessary.

What is the action plan? In May last year, on the occasion of the International Day against Homop- and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, Munich’s gay community centre Sub launched a petition to get the state government to finally record queer-specific violence and discrimination figures in Bavaria, to sensitise the police to the concerns of queer people, to expand the patchy counselling infrastructure, especially in the countryside, to revise curricula, to create accommodation especially for LGBTIQ* refugees in all administrative districts, etc. A state commissioner is to develop all these measures with the involvement of the queer community.

Assaults against queer people are on the rise

As documented by the LGBTIQ* centre against discrimination and violence Strong! in Bavaria, the number of offences against the community is increasing throughout the country. The centre recorded a total of 165 incidents in 2021, including assaults, threats, sexual assaults and rapes. Of course, more people now dare to come forward when something happens to them than in the past. Nevertheless, 20 years ago, the numbers were only about half as high.

An action plan could remedy this by raising awareness of the situation and - across all ministries - implementing concrete measures. That is why, in addition to Munich Pride as the largest Pride in southern Germany, the Prides in Amberg, Erlangen, Haßberge, Ingolstadt, Kelheim, Landshut, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Schwabach, Schwandorf, Straubing and Weiden (as of 31.1.23) unite under a common motto.

"It is intolerable that the Bavarian state government does not stand up for all citizens of the state as its mandate requires and denies support and protection to queer people, this particularly vulnerable group," says Thomas Niederbühl, political spokesperson for Munich Pride and city councillor. "Other federal states have had good experiences with their action plans. They reduce discrimination and violence. We appeal to the state government to finally live up to its responsibility here."

Events start for IDAHOBIT

Accompanying events start on 17 May with the IDAHOBIT and continue until September throughout the Pride season. Munich Pride, for example, is planning a large panel discussion with parties from the state parliament. Every Pride in Bavaria is collecting signatures for the petition that is already running. The goal: 50,000 signatures!

Since the state government is called upon to develop the action plan together with the community, the Pride organisers in Bavaria are setting up an online platform where everyone can participate with suggestions on what they think belongs in such a queer catalogue of measures. Celebrities are to support them on their social media platforms.

More visibility for Munich Pride

This year, Munich Pride will take place on the weekend of 24/25 June. The PrideWeeks presenting events from within the community start two weeks earlier on 10 June.

The organisers - LesCommunity, the gay community centre Sub, the Munich’s Aids-hilfe, the Rosa Liste voters' initiative and the LGBTIQ* youth organisation diversity - have brought forward the Pride's date from July to a weekend in June, when no major events are taking place in the centre of Munich. This is because Munich Pride is growing and needs space: more than 400,000 visitors make an expansion in the city centre necessary.

Munich Pride has extended the route of its demonstration: it will now run from Mariahilfplatz in the Au via Reichenbachbrücke and Klenzestraße to Gärtnerplatz through the trendy district, but then from Sendlinger Tor via Stachus and Promenade- to Max-Joseph-Platz. From 6 March, participants can register online for the PolitParade.

The party area will move from Rindermarkt to Odeonsplatz, or more precisely, to the square in front of the Feldherrnhalle. The mile with information stands, which used to be in Kaufinger- and Rosenstraße, will be extended to Wein- and Theatinerstraße.

Munich Pride, the community's largest event in southern Germany: For more than 40 years, LGBTIQ* have been demonstrating for equal rights and acceptance in Munich. More than 60 events take place during a 16-day PrideWeek. It is organised by the lesbian umbrella organisation LesCommunity, the gay community centre Sub, the Munich Aids-Hilfe, the Rosa Liste voters' initiative and the youth organisation diversity. Highlights are the PolitParade with 400,000 participants (2022) every year, the two-day street festival around Marienplatz and the party event RathausClubbing.