County celebrates "Coming Out Days" from 7 to 13 October

The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is organising an action week from 7 to 13 October to mark International Coming Out Day on 11 October. Under the title "Coming Out Days", queer topics will be given a platform through various event formats. The aim is to raise social awareness of LGBTIQ* issues and promote the acceptance of queer people.

Readings, book tables, online events
During the campaign week, there will be numerous events on the programme throughout the district that will make sexual and gender diversity visible and tangible. For example, the public libraries in Korbach, Bad Arolsen, Bad Wildungen and Frankenberg will be setting up themed tables with literature and information on queer topics. There will also be reading sessions for children in the Korbach public library. The LGBT*IQ Network Office North Hesse will be organising a (poetry) reading entitled "Sonderzeichen" at the BAC Theatre Bad Arolsen with support from LandKulturPerlen. Sportkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg e.V. and Sportjugend Hessen are organising an online event on the topic of "Gender and sexual diversity in sport". Together with youth work organisations in the district, there will be activities for young people. Further events are being planned.

Signalling more openness and acceptance
"In the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, all people should be able to live their sexual orientation and gender identity openly and without fear of discrimination," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "Visibility is crucial to breaking down prejudices and creating a deeper understanding of the diverse realities of life for LGBTIQ* people," emphasises Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor of the district. With the Coming Out Days, the district is sending out a strong signal. "We are not indifferent to queer people. We recognise the needs and want to send a signal for more openness and acceptance with this week of action."

Statistically speaking, over 17,000 queer people live in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg. Especially in rural areas, queer life often takes place in secret. "We want to contribute to a culture in which queer people also encounter openness in our rural area," emphasises Miriam Drüppel, the district's deputy women's representative. "The aim of the action week is to create spaces and opportunities for dialogue and mutual empowerment." The action week is not only intended to make queer issues visible, but also to show that queer life is an integral part of the community.

The "Coming Out Days" are supported by numerous partners, including the LGBT*IQ Netzwerkstelle Nordhessen, the municipal libraries in Korbach, Bad Arolsen, Bad Wildungen and Frankenberg, the Sportjugend Hessen, the Sportkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg e.V., the Lesebändchen e.V. association and the youth work and youth and cultural centres of the medium-sized centres. Further information on the action week and the programme can be found at www.landkreis-waldeck-frankenberg.de/comingout.

Background: Coming Out Day
Coming Out Day has been celebrated worldwide on 11 October every year since 1988. The day commemorates the "National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights" and has since mobilised people worldwide with lectures, discussions, film festivals and exhibitions. Coming Out Day supports queer people to live their identity openly and creates an environment of openness and acceptance.

Keywords:

Coming Out Days Specialist Service for Women and Equal Opportunities