After three years now, we can already speak of a “good tradition” in which we award the CSD Leipzig Award for Queer Commitment every year at the opening of the programme week.
This year it was an organisation’s turn to be honoured and we received numerous great suggestions from the community. Many thanks for that!
The decision was anything but easy for us. In the end, CSD Pirna e.V. came out on top in the final vote in our plenary session and is this year’s award winner.
The award ceremony took place on 9 August 2024 as part of the City of Leipzig’s Pride reception, which traditionally opens the Pride week. Photos of the event will be posted here shortly.
Fotos: Mim Schneider
CSD Pirna e.V. - 2024 Award winner
Despite adverse conditions, the association has been campaigning for diversity in Pirna and the rights of queer people for over 10 years. It takes a lot of courage to organise a Pride, especially in rural Saxony. But the Pirna Pride does not let damage to property and personal threats from Nazis stop it from organising a Pride demonstration and street party with a growing number of participants year after year. This alone deserves an honour.
But the work of the organisation does not end there. With the Q43, it has created a meeting place where regular events on a wide range of queer topics are organised. This is another way in which the Pride association ensures the visibility of the queer community in Pirna and beyond. We are convinced that visibility creates social relevance, without which we cannot achieve our goals.
The large, national media response to this year’s Pirna Pride on 13 July showed that the association has a raison d’être in rural Saxony and hits a nerve. This has once again encouraged us in our choice of this year’s award winner.
Pride week started
The raising of the rainbow flag in front of the New Town Hall as part of the reception marked the traditional start of Leipzig Pride week 2024. Until 17 August, you can look forward to almost 60 events where you can get information and network. That’s a new record.
The highlight will be the big Pride demonstration next Saturday, followed by a street party. See you on 17 August 2024 from 11:30 am on Augustusplatz in a good mood and fighting spirit!
Photo: Florian Lauckner