This is happening in the Pride Week Salzburg 2022
A week for everyone dedicated to diversity.
From August 29th to September 4th, 2022 the pride week instead of. At more than 30 events, we celebrate, learn and fight for equality together. We spoke to Conny Felice, Conny Maier and Sarah Thome about the highlights of Pride Week and the generation change at HOSI.
On Saturday, September 3rd, the big demo for Christopher Street Day will take place in Salzburg. It will definitely be loud and colourful. But what is it actually about?
Connie Felice: About 50 years ago there were riots in New York’s Christopher Street, in which gays and transsexuals went on the barricades against police violence for the first time. That is the global context. The CSD and the IDAHOBIT have also been held in Salzburg for years. And these events have constantly evolved over time.
A day turned into a weekend and now a whole week. What has changed complicated?
Connie Felice: Last year it was a CSD weekend, which is of course very important for the community. But I think it is necessary to also ask the question: What can we give back to the city and what can our part in social interaction in Salzburg be? This gave rise to the idea of also organizing workshops and events that are not exclusively aimed at the community.
Does that mean that all events are open to all Salzburg residents?
Connie Felice: Exactly. We probably won’t get many Salzburg residents outside of the community to go to the trendy bars, but we will for a tour of the Salzburg Museum. Or to the poetry workshop in the Landestheater. In this way, we take on the role of bridge builders and help to break down prejudices.
Connie Maier: It was very important to us to create as low-threshold an offer as possible. So also for all people who are curious, but have perhaps not yet dared. For example, what I think is really great is the Pride Night Kitchen Club, where we cook together and put together a great menu. Or various workshops where you can become active yourself. For example, there is a poetry workshop or a workshop on songwriting. At all of these events, we take an “edutainment” approach. We want to educate people and have fun together. For example at the queer karaoke night in the Narrencastl or at the queer pub quiz. Despite everything, one should not forget that the CSD walk on Saturday is a demo in which demands on politics and society are also made.
FROM THE QUEER HAIRCUT TO THE LECTURE ABOUT CHEMSEX: HERE YOU WILL FIND ALL THE PROGRAM ITEMS OF PRIDE WEEK 2022.
Does this “opening” go hand in hand with a general change in HOSI?
Connie Felice: HOSI comes from the consulting sector and has always been a safe space. This is still important and we will continue to do so in the future. But a lot has happened. HOSI was founded over 40 years ago, when homosexuality was punishable, people went to jail because. A lot has happened at the political level since then. Discrimination and abuse persist. But I still believe that we have made a giant step. We’re sort of out of puberty. We, the queer community, are working in the warehouse, at Porsche, at the Raiffeisenbank at the counter. My vision would be, even if it is basically unattainable, that at some point HOSI will no longer be needed. To do this, we must actively enter society and create as many points of contact as possible. From workshops in companies to schools.
Connie Maier: In recent years we have noticed that, of course, like everyone else, we are stewing in our own juice to a certain extent. Therefore, the question of our role is necessary. It is also very important to address young people more again, because the people of Generation Z are organized differently and have different expectations.
Sarah Tome: We still remember that we are relevant as a point of contact for people who are having a hard time in their environment. For example, because they experience bullying or exclusion at school or still have difficulties with the subject themselves. Who am I and where do I belong? These questions are still asked by the majority of people who seek advice from us and want to get to know people.
Is the prospective move to a new clubhouse part of these considerations?
Sarah Tome: A new location will do us good, so that we can address more young people and also allies. The new clubhouse will be a place where you can of course have a drink and play, but where you also like to go, and not just for a few weeks, but also beyond that. In general, we want to become better known in the youth field. Instagram and Co. will also give us a boost.
Connie Felice: If we assume that in the lowest case five percent of the population would associate themselves with the queer community, then in the state of Salzburg with around 500,000 inhabitants that is already 25,000 people. Where are they all? We can’t reach everyone with our current restaurant, charming as it is. We have to position the HOSI at eye level and in the middle of society.
Back to Pride Week. What are your personal favorite events?
Connie Maier: I host the Queer Pubquiz together with the Academy Bar. This is going to be really cool, interactive and I can promise it won’t be too difficult. You can also answer the questions without being part of the community. And there will be really good music.
Connie Felice: One of my highlights is actually cooking together, because you get into conversation on a completely different level while chopping tomatoes together. That is my favourite. And the second is the final event “Schatzi Räum zam”, where we clean up after the demo in Salzburg to send the signal that we are also responsible for the city.
Sarah Tome: I’m really looking forward to the HOSI Festival, which traditionally takes place four times a year. I also really like going to BRICKS and I’m happy that you’re there today with the After Cinema Party on Thursday.