Well maybe the answer is that being non-heterosexual, queer, means you never really can relax, even thou you live in a “good town”. ‘Cause even here in Umeå people get harassed, abused, beaten up, discriminated and made invisible too just ‘cause they have a “different” sexuality. Even though the numbers maybe smaller here than in other places of the world every number is one to much. Every harassment, abuse, discriminating action or word, every beating and every behaviour that makes people feel invisible or stupid is one to many! No one should ever have to be in danger or feel bad because they’re LGBT!
And we know that around the world things are worse than here, and we mustn’t shut or eyes to that. In Poland the president makes public hate speeches calling homosexuals a disgrace for the hole Polish society. People get abused, beaten, discriminated and so on and so on.
But still people stand up and fight for their rights. People go to work and do their best to change the world. People love and live their lifes despite the risks. And why is that? Because they have to. Because this is who they are and who I am, and one can’t compromise oneself if one wants to be truly happy.
Therefore we also must take the fight in Umeå, to share the fight with our Polish brothers and sisters and all LGBT-persons around the whole world! Enjoying a good TV-show is of course nice and a human right as well, but to be free to be who we are and love who we love is something much more worth fighting for!
In Umeå we can apply for fundment to arrange a pridefestival. A blessing not given to all cities and countries, and therefore we should take this chance.
In Umeå we’ll most likely not have to fear attacks from nazi-movements or crazy religious movements like lots of other pridefestivals in other cities and countries have to. Therefore we should hit the streets!
For those who can’t do this and those who proudly take the fight despite the risks, we must show our support!
So stand up for your rights, in September we celebrate PRIDE in Umeå!!!
/Evelina project leader
