Ukranian LGBT activists took to the streets despite considerable social and legal challenges, and widespread political instability and distortion of human rights campaigning, and celebrated May 17 with a visit to a national wildlife island.

In the city of Zaporizhia, Ukraine, a flashmob action dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia was held on the Khortytsia island – a national wildlife refuge, located in the heart of the city on the Dnieper River.

Rainbowflash action in Ukraine for IDAHOT 2014

Participants repeated the tradition established for rainbow flashmob events, and wrote their wishes on cards tied to balloons during the event. Before letting the balloons fly into the sky, the participating activists, using banners, created a media message in which they expressed their protest against homophobia and hate and urged media and public to “be over hatred”.

This was also a symbolic statement, since the group made a point of climbing to one of the highest points within reach of the city.

You can watch the flashmob action here:

Russian LGBT activists and allies in 16 cities took action for the IDAHOT 2014 despite considerable social and legal pressure, attacks and threats from opponents. 15 people were detained on May 17, all of whom are now released (June 4, 2014). Two actions were targeted by neo-nazi groups. No serious injuries occurred this year and local groups underscored the bravery and resistant spirit of LGBT communities in the country.

In most Russian cities rainbow flashmob events (coloured balloon releases) went quite well, with a considerable 150 people showing up in St. Petersburg. However, during or because of the flashmobs the police detained activists from Moscow, Murmansk, Perm and Vladimir. Two people in Moscow, 1 person in Murmansk, 11 people in Perm and 1 person in Vladimir were detained on May 17. They are now all released.

While most events in the 16 cities went without any incidents, 4 of these cities witnessed arrests. The organizer of a Rainbow flashmob event in Murmansk, Violetta Grudina, was detained before the event actually started. She was accused of “propaganda of homosexuality”. The police stated that by publishing information about LGBT events in the social network (Vkontakte), she “committed propaganda of homosexuality among minors”.

Russia, image by St Petersburg Times

On May 17 in Perm, several members of the group LGBT-Perm were also detained. An activist of another LGBT group (Raduzhniy dom), Julia Babintseva, who wasn’t detained on May 17th, was not charged with anything yet, however, she got a call from the police. Moreover, representatives of the police visited her parents. All this situation strangely resembles the situation in Samara, where after the Day of Silence LGBT activists started to get calls and then charges, all happening as a form of systematic intimidation.

The National articulation group, Russian LGBT-Network, provided legal support to Violetta Grudina and Julia Babintseva. The Chairman of the Network, Igor Kochetkov, states that “Solidarity was one of the main messages of the May 17th this year and we are ready to support everyone who suffers because of the unlawful actions of the police”.

Further Information

• Russian LGBT Network:Police getting more and more interested in the activity of LGBT activists.
• To see photos from the rainbow flashmob event in St. Petersburg, organized by “Coming Out” Organization: click here.

In Germany, in at least 24 cities actions and events took place in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014. The focuses of these actions included equal rights for same-sex couples, for marriage and adoption in Germany, anti-LGBT laws around the world, violence against LGBTI communities, equal rights and inclusion of trans and intersex communities.

Rainbowflash events in 15 cities

The provincial affiliates of the LSVD, the Lesben- und Schwulenverband Deutschland (Lesbian and Gay Association Germany) organised Rainbow Flashmob events in 15 cities (Stuttgart, Hamburg, Rostock, Schwerin, Stralsund, Hannover, Osnabrück, Cologne, Chemnitz, Dresden, Leipzig, Pirna, Plauen, Torgau and Magdeburg). Rainbow coloured balloons were released into the skies by local communities with messages of hope and solidarity tied onto them.

Rainbow Flash Hamburg. Source: LSVD Hamburg

In a press release by the headquarters of the LSVD, they highlighted the extent of homophobia and transphobia in Germany, and pointed out the problem that 50,000 gay men who had been prosecuted under §175 (the law criminalizing same-sex activities between men and which was abandoned in 1994), are still awaiting rehabilitation and compensation.

For 6 years now the LSVD Hamburg has organised the RainbowFlash events in Hamburg and has coordinated the rainbow flashmobs nationwide. The founder of the event Wanja Kilber received the Pride Award from the Hamburg Pride in 2012. Also in 2012 the LSVD Hamburg, on behalf of all the organisers, was awarded for the RainbowFlash by the Bündnis für Demokratie und Toleranz gegen Extremismus und Gewalt (Network for Democracy and Tolerance against Extremism and Violence). New Updates and recent news can be found on the LSVD Hamburg’s Facebook page.

Aside from the LSVD, many other organisations and groups also organised activities on and around May 17 in Germany.

Thousands march in Berlin for LGBTI rights worldwide

At the same time in Berlin, at around noon, thousands of people joint the demonstration, organised by the initiative Enough is Enough! Open Your Mouth!. The theme of the demonstration was ‘When did you decide to be hetero?’ which was chosen to highlight that sexual orientation is not a choice. The organisers highlighted the discrimination of LGBTI people in Germany, for example that same-sex couples are still not allowed to adopt a child together, and also raised the issue of homophobia and transphobia worldwide.

Thousands Protest for LGBTI Rights on IDAHOT 2014 in Berlin. Source: Enough is Enough!

Berlin – A ‘Thousand Hand for the Rainbow’

In Berlin, the mayor of Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Angelika Schöttler (SPD), and the LSVD Berlin-Brandenburg invited people to join in the action a ‘Thousand Hands for the Rainbow’ that took place at the Memorial for the Homosexual Victims of National Socialism which was damaged in February 2014. After the manifestation there was a painting action and a picnic in the park Friedrichshain. The event was a joined effort by various local organisations.

Awareness raising in Ulm

In Ulm, a cooperation of 5 different groups (Aids-Hilfe, CSD Ulm/Neu-Ulm, Frauentreff Ulm, Rosige Zeiten and the Freundeskreis transidente Menschen) hosted a rainbow flashmob in the city centre where 600 balloons were released. Before they released the balloons there were info booths to raise awareness and inform the population about the day and the situation of LGBTI people in Germany and worldwide.

Source: IDAHOT* Jena

Street festival and more in Jena

In Jena, the IDAHOT* Jena group had prepared a two-week festival, which included presentations, concerts, workshops and a
street festival in the city centre on May 17. The street festival included a music program, info booths and the releasing of balloons with messages. IDAHOT* Jena is a cooperation of different associations, groups and individuals. The festival has been organised for the sixth time now, and received the Thuringian Democracy Award.

Source: IDAHOT Mainz

Activists ‘Kiss the Pride’ in Mainz

As in previous years, the campaign ‘KISS THE PRIDE‘ in Mainz included a march, a massive Kiss-In and rainbow flashmob with balloons in the city center. The event called out for diversity and acceptance and was afterwards celebrated with the Queerbeet-Party.

Prior to May 17, the organisers started a online campaign and street action where people could send in selfies with colourful lips and some of the photos were presented at the May 17 event in a rainbow kiss photo mosaic.

This campaign and event were organised in a joint effort by QueerNet Rheinland-Pfalz e.V., an initiative which works towards a better visibility and awareness of queer interests in the region and beyond, as well as with the support of Amnesty International. QueerNet’s aim is to network different groups and organisations to work together on political and cultural project and to promote LGBTI rights and equality.

Hand holding march in Kaiserslautern

Queernet Rheinland-Pfalz also organised rainbow actions in Kaiserslautern, including a demonstration, in Koblenz and Trier where they also had a march holding hands. Actions include Rainbow balloons, demonstrations and Kiss-Ins. The organisers also highlighted the importance of the upcoming elections for LGBTI people in the European region.

The groups Knutschfleck, Queerreferat Aachener Hochschulen (queer representatives), Rainbow, Rainbow Sports Aachen, SchLAu Aachen, Gleichstellungsprojekt im Asta (Project for Equality in student representation) and Aidshilfe Aachen (HIV/AIDS support Aachen) joined efforts this year to organise an IDAHOT demonstration in Aachen on May 17. After the demonstration, all the participants gathered and released balloons.

Students organise in Leipzig

In Leipzig, the Student Representation for Equality at the University of Leipzig together in cooperation with other organisations organised the IDAHIT* demonstration in Leipzig. For the second time the demonstration took place under this name which intends to highlight the importance of including Intersex communities.

Info booths & film screening in Heidelberg

The Queerreferat (Queer Student Representatives) of the University of Heidelberg had info booths on May 16 to inform the public about the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia and the situation of LGBTI people in general. On May 17, they held a film screening of the movies ‘Milk’ and ‘Transamerica’.

Demonstration in Cologne

Unfortunately, the demonstration in Cologne, organised by the Freie Vereinigung gegen Homophobie, had to be cancelled.

In Austria, events took place for the IDAHOT 2014 in at least two cities. Actions were focused on raising awareness of the victims of LGBTI-phobic hate crimes, on the present situation of LGBTI rights in the country, and on the importance of freedom of expression for LGBTI communities.

Rainbow Flash Balloon Release

The groups Homosexuelle Initiative Wien, HOSI (Homosexual Initiative Vienna), To Russia With Love Austria and Queeramnesty organised three different actions to commemorate IDAHOT in Vienna, starting with a rainbow flash event, in which rainbow coloured balloons with personal messages attached to them were released into the sky. This action took place at the Morzinplatz, where the headquarters of the Gestapo were located during the NS-regime and from where homosexuals were deported into the concentration camps.

RainbowFlah Vienna. Source HOSI Wien

IDAHO Classical Concert

In the evening, there was a IDAHO Classical Concert, with the participation of a group of young musicians and music students, from the CMG (Classical Musicans’ Group). The concert was conducted under the banner ‘Spring Is in the Air’ and included classical songs on themes of love and affection.

IDAHO Night

These events were followed by the ‘IDAHO- Night’ which was organised by Queeramnesty. The party focused attention on the situation for LGBTI communities and civil society in general in Russia, activists from Queeramnesty informed at the B72 (the venue). The night was accompanied by the bands ‘Petra und der Wolf’ and ‘Clara Luzia’.

The groups HOSI Salzburg, and the Homosexual Initiative in Salzburg, in an joint effort with other local groups, organised the Walk 4 IDAHO demonstration, as well as a party on May 17. The organisers wanted to use this event to show the importance of freedom of expression for LGBTI people worldwide.

Walk 4 IDAHO Salzburg

The Walk 4 IDAHO 2014 was organised to raise awareness within society that LGBTI people worldwide are still confronted with discrimination, violence, prosecution, abuse and murder. The participants of the demonstration also made clear that in Austria LGBTI people cannot enjoy full equal rights and social acceptance, yet. After the demonstration there was a Party at the 3Stein Gaybar.

HOSI Salzburg is a group that works for the region of Salzburg, Bavaria and Oberösterreich for over 30 years now. They offer support, meeting points, information material, consulting and much more to LGBTI people and people your are interested in LGBTI issues. The 20-30 volunteers at HOSI Salzburg also organise events and activities and they publish the magazine COMING IN, 4 times a year.

The staff behind top international LGBT news site, Gay Star News, together with the London Gay Men´s Chorus and the London Gay Big Band, made the very best of a rainy Saturday afternoon on London´s Southbank:

Meanwhile, the folks at London Pride, joined the action with a Dance Flashmob in Trafalgar Square ! :

Photo : Photo by Chris Jepson (chrisjepson.com).