IDaHoBIT 2024: Together against exclusion and hate!
LGBTIQ* are repeatedly becoming victims of hate speech and violence
To mark the International Day against Homo-, Bi-, Inter- and Trans-Phobia on 17 May, Munich's LGBTIQ* community is once again insisting on the implementation of a queer action plan. It is also showing solidarity with queer people from Uganda.
Munich, 15 May 2024 - The International Day against Homo-, Bi-, Trans- and Inter-Hostility is considered the Pride's little sister. People from the LGBTIQ* community around the world take to the streets on 17 May to draw attention to their situation as a vulnerable group and make demands on politicians and society.
This is also the case in Munich: On Friday, queers will start their protest from 7.30 pm from Marienplatz, first with rallies, then with a demonstration across the Glockenbachviertel to the Sub.
One year on: where does the action plan stand?
Last year, the organisers of IDaHoBIT, Munich Pride and the organisations behind it, Sub, Münchner Aids-Hilfe, LesCommunity, diversity München and Rosa Liste, called on the entire Munich community to adopt a queer action plan. It was an election year and Bavaria is still the only federal state without such an action catalogue to bring more equality and acceptance for LGBTIQ*. Time to take stock: Where does the action plan stand after one year? And what is the situation of queer people in Bavaria?
Strong!: More attacks, new reporting centre for hate speech
If you look at the latest figures from Strong!, the Bavaria-wide LGBTIQ* specialist centre against discrimination and violence, it is clear that violence and discrimination are increasing in Bavaria, or at least coming to light more often. According to the figures, in 2023, Strong! reported 230 incidents in 2023 - 71 more than in the previous year.
The extent to which an increase in LGBTIQ* hostility in society as a whole can be inferred from this remains unclear: after all, the case statistics are not representative. Nevertheless, as the police themselves state, a high number of unreported incidents can be assumed, according to Annina E., a counsellor at Strong! It's about insults, threats, discrimination, but also physical attacks.
The socio-political climate is becoming harsher. Debates are conducted with a grpppdddddeat deal of indignation, often turning into verbal violence and sometimes physical attacks. A development that manifested itself last year, particularly at a drag reading in Munich and at many Prides across Bavaria, where a number of visitors had to defend themselves against queer-hostile attacks.
Hate speech: people must defend themselves!
Theresa "BiMän" Bittermann has experienced this herself. The queer DJ* and producer took a stand on Bavarian television BR a few months ago during a report on the topic of gendering -she was in favour of it! Since then, right-wing and conservative activists have been attacking her with hate speech, insults and threats. She has - also with the support of Strong! - reported all the comments to the police; the public prosecutor's office is investigating for incitement to hatred. Bittermann says: "I think it's important to get help in a situation like this and to defend yourself." Even if it means a lot of effort and she first had to convince the police of her being right to do so.
Strong! has had a new service in its programme for cases like this since 2023. Together with the Ministry of Justice, Strong! operates the only hate speech reporting centre for LGBTIQ* in Bavaria, where victims and witnesses can report when needed. Strong! examines the submissions, assists with the documentation and assessment of the report and, if necessary, initiates criminal prosecution by the responsible public prosecutor's office at the Ministry of Justice.
International solidarity with queer people from Uganda
On the International Day against Homo-, Bi-, Trans- and Inter-Phobia, Munich's community is also showing solidarity with queer people outside of Bavaria and is drawing attention to the situation in Uganda, where LGBTIQ* people have to fear for their lives due to new legislation.
"Uganda's new anti-LGBTIQ* law from 2023 is one of the harshest in the world and could mean the death penalty," says Anita Beneta, a counsellor at the refugee counselling service at Sub. However, people from Uganda are still often deported from Bavaria, emphasises Julia Bomsdorf, public relations officer at the LeTRa Lesbian Counselling.
Sub and LeTRa are therefore calling for asylum applications from Ugandans that were submitted before 2022/2023 to be reviewed and reassessed on the basis of current legislation.
"If I were to be deported to Uganda now, I would be sentenced to death or 40 years in prison," says refugee Patrick S, who is receiving counselling at Sub. "AndI thought I was in a safe country now. As a matter of fact, they don't care what happens to me when I return."
Queer action plan Bavaria now!
It is this mixed situation that makes a queer action plan seem more necessary than ever. Markus Apel, spokesperson for LSVD Bayern, says that the process is ongoing. The Ministry of Social Affairs has been given the task of defining suitable measures together with the LGBTIQ* community over the next few years, but the state government keeps torpedoing the process, for example by banning the use of gender inclusive language in authorities, universities and schools. Bavaria also rejects the new self-determination law of the federal government for trans* and non-binary people.
Markus Apel says: "In 2024, Bavaria can no longer ignore the facts: Queer people belong to Bavaria. However, they must finally fulfil their duty to protect them from discrimination and violence! This can only be achieved with serious political action, consistent recognition of diverse realities and an effective action plan against queer hostility."
The community has been fighting for such an action plan for decades. "But with lip service, haphazard participation processes and anti-queer propaganda, there is a risk that the action plan will be something that is neither sufficiently funded nor effective for society as a whole."
The political demands of 2023 are still valid
At IDaHoBIT, the organisers are therefore calling for the implementation of all the measures that Bavaria's LGBTIQ* community developed in its 2023 civil society action plan.
These include: comprehensive counselling services in all administrative districts, investment in queer education in Bavarian schools, non-discriminatory access to medical services, consistent criminal prosecution and sensitisation of the police and judiciary.
Munich's LGBTIQ* community will be protesting for this at the IDaHoBIT on 17 May. The whole of Munich is called upon to join in.
IDaHoBIT 2024
7.30 pm Start with rallies at Marienplatz
Markus Apel (LSVD Bavaria), moderation
7:35 pm
Charlie Pitzer (AroSpAce / diversity Munich)
7:40 pm
Stephanie Gerlach (Rainbow Family Centre / LesCommunity)
7:45 pm
Kasagga Rogers (People like us - PLUS)
7:50 pm
Bianka Hanusch-Vonthin (Bi+ Munich)
7:55 pm
Elisabeth Biendl
8:00 pm
Martin Korinth (MLC Munich - Münchner Löwenclub)
8:05 pm
Jonas Fischer (TransMann)
8:10 pm
Markus Apel and Alexander Kluge, Munich Pride
8.15 pm Protest march via Tal, Isartor, Frauenstraße and Reichenbachstraße, Gärtnerplatz and Corneliusstraße to Müllerstraße in front of Sub
With the kind support of Munich's Rainbow Foundation
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LGBTIQ* people have been demonstrating for equal rights and acceptance in Munich since 1980. Munich Pride is one of the largest Pride events in Europe. It is supported by the lesbian-queer association LesCommunity, the gay-queer centre Sub, the Münchner Aids-Hilfe, the voters' initiative Rosa Liste and the queer youth organisation diversity. www.csdmuenchen.de
The gay queer centre Sub has been advocating for the interests of gay, now also bisexual and queer men as well as trans* people since 1986. The non-profit association offers psychosocial counselling, including for refugees, further training on queer life, sexual health programmes and is home to the LGBTIQ* specialist centre against discrimination and violence Strong! Sub regularly hosts cultural events and is also a meeting place for many self-help and leisure groups in Munich's community. The café at Müllerstraße 14 is open daily. www.subonline.org
LeTRA is the counselling centre of LesCommunity e.V. The association offers personal and telephone counselling, individual and couples therapy and welcomes groups, explicitly including FLINTAs with a migration background and refugees. Like the Sub, LesCommunity is a co-organiser of Munich Pride and uses public relations work and training to campaign for social conditions that are free of taboos, ignorance, discrimination and violence towards FLINTAs. Of course, LeTRA also sees itself as a meeting point, a place for encounters and dialogue. Events are regularly organised on its premises. www.letra.de
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Contact:
Conrad Breyer
Press Officer Munich Pride, Sub
01701859705
