As the first of its kind, we as IG Wien organized the first Alpbach pride at the European Forum Alpbach '21. After two hybrid versions, this year's Forum is running on full capacities and in-person again under the title "New Europe".

In recent times we are seeing more and more problematic prejudices propagating - especially against trans women. People are not seen in their authenticity and displayed as a threat to our society. Against the backdrop of today's situation, we find it more than necessary to continue our newly established tradition of the Alpbach pride.

At EFA'22 we are continuing this tradition with another Alpbach pride on the 30th August, 2022. So let's prepare our most colorful clothes, get the glitter shinning, and get on the streets - we are meeting on the 30th August at 1 pm infront of the CCA Alpbach. Join us for another Alpbach pride!

ALPBACH PRIDE 2021

#QueeropeanForumAlpbach

Whilst this year´s European Forum Alpbach (EFA21) ran under the title “The Great Transformation”, on Sept. 2nd 2021, signs demanding for “The Great TRANSformation” and to “smash patriarchy, not the planet” were carried through the village of Alpbach by a young crowd of activists. Against the backdrop of anti-LGBTIQA+ policies within the EU and member states declaring themselves as partially “LGBT-free” IG Vienna and Club Alpbach Tirol called for a #QueeropeanForumAlpbach.

ALPBACH PRIDE 2021

#QueeropeanForumAlpbach

Whilst this year's European Forum Alpbach (EFA21) ran under the title “The Great Transformation”,
on Sept. 2nd 2021, signs demanding for “The Great TRANSformation” and to “smash patriarchy, not the planet” were carried through the village of Alpbach by a young crowd of activists. Against the backdrop of anti-LGBTIQA+ policies within the EU and member states declaring themselves as partially “LGBT-free” Initiativgruppe Alpbach Wien called for a #QueeropeanForumAlpbach.

ALPBACH PRIDE 2021

#QueeropeanForumAlpbach

Whilst this year´s European Forum Alpbach (EFA21) ran under the title “The Great Transformation”, on Sept. 2nd 2021, signs demanding for “The Great TRANSformation” and to “smash patriarchy, not the planet” were carried through the village of Alpbach by a young crowd of activists. Against the backdrop of anti-LGBTIQA+ policies within the EU and member states declaring themselves as partially “LGBT-free” IG Vienna and Club Alpbach Tirol called for a #QueeropeanForumAlpbach.

Around 60 people gathered in front of the Conference Center Alpbach to march in pride, celebrate diversity, showing unity and solidarity and passing the mic' to those who might otherwise not have been given the stage at the EFA21. Thus, opening statements were not only given by the Austrian Federal Minister of Justice, Alma Zadić, but also by Jimmy Pin Chun Chen and Konstantin on the situation of LGBTIQA+ identified people in their home countries Taiwan and Russia, sharing their experiences there as well as here in the EU.

Marching through the streets, the Progress Pride Flag carried at the forefront of the parade was designed by the non-binary artist Daniel Quasar in 2018, incorporating the transgender flag into the existing rainbow flag, while black and brown stripes represent LGBTQ+ communities of color as well as “those living with AIDS, those no longer living, and the stigma surrounding them", thus, taking a stand for the awareness and inclusiveness of the movement.

The Pride Parade was a stark contrast to a seemingly conservative and rural Tyrolian village like Alpbach and made it clear that Pride is still first and foremost a protest for LGBTQIA+ rights. Even though the demonstration was a highly visible and colorful activist intervention during the last days of EFA21, it was not a contradiction to the values the forum conveys: to be open-minded, to defend the core values of our society for equality and to show solidarity with those who are facing discrimination. (lw)

In this spirit: Let's march in pride and let's march again!

Text by Laura Widerhofer, IG Wien scholarship holder 2020/2021.
All pictures © Tobias Neugebauer, Forum Alpbach Network // Club Alpbach Salzburg.

Around 60 people gathered in front of the Conference Center Alpbach to march in pride, celebrate diversity, showing unity and solidarity and passing the mic' to those who might otherwise not have been given the stage at the EFA21. Thus, opening statements were not only given by the Austrian Federal Minister of Justice, Alma Zadić, but also by Jimmy Pin Chun Chen and Konstantin on the situation of LGBTIQA+ identified people in their home countries Taiwan and Russia, sharing their experiences there as well as here in the EU.
Marching through the streets, the Progress Pride Flag carried at the forefront of the parade was designed by the non-binary artist Daniel Quasar in 2018, incorporating the transgender flag into the existing rainbow flag, while black and brown stripes represent LGBTQ+ communities of color as well as “those living with AIDS, those no longer living, and the stigma surrounding them", thus, taking a stand for the awareness and inclusiveness of the movement.

The Pride Parade was a stark contrast to a seemingly conservative and rural Tyrolian village like Alpbach and made it clear that Pride is still first and foremost a protest for LGBTQIA+ rights. Even though the demonstration was a highly visible and colorful activist intervention during the last days of EFA2, it was not a contradiction to the values the forum conveys: to be open minded, to defend the core values of our society for equality and to show solidarity with those who are facing discrimination.

In this spirit: Let's march in pride and let's march again!