In the US, 480 anti-LGBTQ bills have already been introduced this year, many of which have become law, primarily in Republican-governed states. This May is already more than last year's total. The bills affect healthcare, freedom of speech, restrictions on anti-discrimination laws, self-determination regarding gender identification, and bans on literature in schools. Among other things, the children's book "A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" was banned from school reading. The picture story tells the story of a young bunny who falls in love with another young bunny.
New laws banning drag are on the horizon. A closer look at the proposed laws, however, reveals that they are not precisely worded. They could therefore be used against anyone who doesn't dress according to traditional Western gender norms or who is trans*. These are laws reminiscent of the 20s.
CSU wants to ban drag readings for children
Similar incidents have occurred in Switzerland and Austria. In Vienna, for example, the FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria) attempted to ban a drag reading in March. The FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria) and ÖVP (Austrian People's Party) are trumpeting the event as—surprise—"early sexualization." This narrative has been popular among right-wing groups for decades to disguise hate and incitement. The books read addressed topics such as equality, gender justice, and tolerance. The reading required police protection, and seven demonstrations were registered.
The CSU jumped on this bandwagon and wanted to ban a drag reading in Munich in May. The AfD's support for this plan was no surprise. More controversial, however, was the statement by SPD mayor Reiter, who, of all people, is the patron of the Munich Pride. He told BILD newspaper: "I have no understanding for this kind of program and don't believe it's suitable for four-year-olds. I wouldn't go with my grandchildren." This is not far removed from the AfD's framing, which accused the event of "woke early sexualization and left-wing ideology." There were no consequences for the mayor. Reiter was pleased about a conciliatory meeting with Pride organizers, apologized a bit, but also felt misunderstood.
The CSU float was banned from the parade, which CSU representatives found intolerant. Those familiar with CSU politics may not be surprised by this action, but rather rightly ask: The CSU has a float at the Munich Pride? I would like to follow up with the urgent question: Why are there floats from political parties, companies, and the police at Pride in the first place?
The radical origins of queer pride
Exactly 54 years ago today, queer people protested against the police on Christopher Street in New York due to violent raids and repression. In the 50s and 60s, homosexuality was still illegal in the US and punishable by fines and prison sentences. Therefore, queer people needed spaces where they didn't have to hide their sexuality and gender identity. One of these places was the Stonewall Inn. The mafia bribed the police not to carry out raids so they could serve alcohol to queer guests in peace. However, these places were not safe spaces, and of course, the police did not always keep their agreement. On June 28.6.1969, 3, the queer guests had had enough and rebelled against a raid. At first, they resisted arrests, then the police were forced into the Stonewall Inn and the bar was set on fire. Three days of protests followed, during which more than a few stones were thrown.
After this radical beginning and decades of struggle, public opinion has shifted more toward inclusion and equality. Companies and political parties are now adapting their image to market themselves. However, very few parties are actually consistently enforcing progressive laws. Companies are engaging in pinkwashing on a massive scale and are rightly criticized for it. For example, Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW are decorating their logos with rainbow flags for Pride Month. However, their Middle Eastern subsidiaries' logos remain silver. Mercedes is also part of an association with defense companies (BDSV).
Disney not only sells its own rainbow merchandise, but also has its own floats at Pride celebrations, including in Germany. In 2022, Disney donated $190.000 to Republicans in Florida, among others. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer also adorns itself with the rainbow logo, but donated around $1 million to anti-queer politicians in the US.
Last but not least, the police, the nemesis of the Stonewall Riots, aren't holding back, sending officers in rainbow-colored uniforms to CDS. This isn't just a historical contradiction. Those affected by anti-queer violence repeatedly report police officers acting insensitively, even ignorantly and discriminatorily when handling these incidents. At alternative, more radical Pride celebrations, the police, in the name of freedom of expression, are often happy to protect right-wing journalists and influencers who take photos of the demonstrators. They can then use their photos and videos to spread hate speech online.
You can keep the gold
LGBTQ* people are not only threatened by queerphobia, they are also more frequently affected by poverty and homelessness. For trans* people and multiply marginalized queer people, the situation is even bleaker. At the same time, these are also the people who have often played central roles in queer movements: queer people with chronic illnesses, lesbians and trans* people of color, queer people who have been acutely affected by poverty and homelessness, and so on. Unfortunately, commercial Prides often represent privileged, white, conventionally beautiful cis gays. Queer liberation has acquired the bitter aftertaste of being restricted to white, heteronormative norms and the confines of a capitalist society and economy. Prides that are not explicitly intersectional and anti-capitalist are therefore more likely to be engines of conformity than liberation.
Our goal cannot be solely to break down prejudices. Ultimately, we need to overcome the profit-oriented and growth-obsessed economic system to end the oppression and exploitation of people and our natural resources. Fortunately, there are a growing number of Pride celebrations that are explicitly anti-capitalist and intersectional, and that refuse to be bought off by corporations and political parties. "The future is intersectional" took place for the fourth time this month in Leipzig, and there are similar initiatives in many other cities, such as Dresden and Berlin, as well as internationally.
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