Why an award?
The Stonewall movement, in the tradition of which queer demonstrations have been held around the world and in Leipzig for decades, would not have existed without courageous, committed people. Nor would there have been the queer structures that we have in Leipzig today without the energetic commitment of organisations and individuals. Unfortunately, this commitment is far too rarely recognised by our society, let alone honoured. That’s why we took action and launched the “CSD Leipzig Award for Queer Commitment” to mark our 30th anniversary at Pride 2022.
To whom is it awarded?
The award is intended to recognise a commitment to queer people and/or their rights. The focus is on natural persons and organisations with a sphere of activity in Leipzig and the surrounding area. In the case of natural persons, this can be both voluntary and full-time commitment. In the first year, the prize was awarded to both a natural person and an organisation. In subsequent years, it will be awarded annually, alternating between a natural person and an organisation.
How are the award winners selected?
The award is awarded by the Leipzig Pride organisation team. The participation of the queer community in the selection of possible candidates is very important to us. That is why every year we call for people or organisations to be nominated for the award.
A committee appointed by the organising team then evaluates the nominations and proposes award winners to the organising team. These are then voted on democratically by the Pride plenum. The award is then presented during the reception organised by the City of Leipzig, which traditionally heralds the start of Pride week together with the raising of the rainbow flag at Neues Rathaus.
Statute for the awarding of the "CSD Leipzig Award for Queer Commitment"
1. Purpose of the award
The Stonewall movement, in the tradition of which queer demonstrations have been held around the world and in Leipzig for decades, would not have existed without courageous, committed people. Nor would there have been the queer structures that we have in Leipzig today without the energetic commitment of organisations and individuals. Unfortunately, this commitment is far too rarely recognised by our society, let alone honoured. This is why the “CSD Leipzig Award for Queer Commitment” (hereinafter referred to as the “Award”) was created, which is awarded by CSD Leipzig e.V. It is intended to honour special achievements for the queer community.
2. Selection criteria
Award winners can be natural persons and organisations (e.g. associations, foundations, but also groups without legal capacity, such as loose initiatives or action alliances) that have made an outstanding commitment to queer people and/or their rights. The following criteria are mandatory requirements for the awarding of the award:
- A commitment to queer people and/or their rights. In the case of natural persons, the commitment can be both voluntary and full-time.
- A sphere of activity of the commitment in Leipzig and the surrounding area, whereby the sphere of activity can also be nationwide.
3. Switching principle
The award is awarded alternately to a natural person or an organisation each year. A special award may also be awarded on special occasions. A special award is awarded regardless of whether a natural person or an organisation is awarded the regular annual award in the respective year.
4. Procedure
The Pride plenum, the grassroots democratic planning committee of Leipzig Pride, selects an annual proposal for an award winner with the participation of the queer community (through a public call for proposals). Provided that the selection criteria are met and the interests of CSD Leipzig e.V. do not conflict with the proposal of the plenum, the Board of CSD Leipzig e.V. is bound by the proposal and will award the award to the selected natural person or organisation. Otherwise, it will ask the Pride plenum to draw up a new proposal. If possible, the award will be presented during the Leipzig Pride week.
5. Prize money / prize object
The award will be presented with a certificate and, if financially possible, with a prize object. The award is not linked to prize money from CSD Leipzig e.V., but can be linked to prize money by sponsors, which they pay out to the prize winner independently of CSD Leipzig e.V..
6. Disallowance
CSD Leipzig e.V. reserves the right to withdraw the award for good cause. Such good cause shall be deemed to exist if the award winner’s commitment honoured with the award is so negatively overshadowed by his/her behaviour that he/she is unworthy of being honoured with the award. This is particularly the case in the case of queer-hostile behaviour. If the award is revoked, the certificate and the prize object must be returned to CSD Leipzig e.V.. The Executive Board shall decide on the cancellation.
Resolved by the Executive Board on 20 September 2023
Previous award winners
2nd CSD Leipzig Award in 2023
Gerda Matzel
Gerda Matzel has been passionately committed to the queer scene in Leipzig for many years. Gerda’s field of activity is diverse. For example, Gerda was already a member of the board of RosaLinde Leipzig e.V. and co-founded the Clearingstelle und Anonymer Behandlungsschein Leipzig e.V. This is an association that offers social counselling for people who currently have no regular access to the healthcare system. Gerda Matzel has had a particular influence on medicine and care.
As the founder of the “Queer Doctors in Saxony” working group, Gerda sets standards in the field of queer medicine and queer care and breaks down walls. Gerda demands more visibility for queer people in the medical profession and fights tirelessly for an LGBTI*-inclusive healthcare sector. Gerda Matzel holds lectures for young doctors, for example, to broaden their horizons. Gerda is also a member of the Transgender Network of Leipzig University Hospital, a network of doctors and scientists at Leipzig University Hospital that helps trans people to reconcile their perceived gender and body.
Photo: Mim Schneider
1st CSD Leipzig Award in the anniversary year 2022
To mark the 30th anniversary of Leipzig Pride, the award was awarded twice in its first year.
Peter Thürer
Peter Thürer is a veteran of the queer movement in Leipzig and of Aidshilfe Leipzig, for which he worked for decades. The sex educator and family planning counsellor (M.A.) founded the first Christopher Street Day in Leipzig in 1992 together with other committed people. For the following 30 years, Peter dedicated his life with passion, heart and mind to people who were discriminated against, stigmatised and marginalised by mainstream society – because they did not fit into the “norm” or because they were infected with a virus and treated like lepers. He never tired of fighting for equal rights and respect for all people, regardless of their way of life or love. In 2022, Peter took on the role of Pride ambassador to mark the 30th anniversary.
Queer Refugees Network (RosaLinde Leipzig e.V.)
RosaLinde Leipzig e.V. has been a cornerstone of queer engagement in Leipzig for over three decades. Many important projects emerged from it, some of which still exist today. We are particularly moved by the work of the Queer Refugees Network Leipzig (QRN). The network carries out difficult but all the more important work that has helped countless queer people who have fled persecution, death and war and given them a new perspective in our country. The QRN gives a voice to people who are discriminated against by mainstream society in multiple ways; not “just” because of their sexuality or gender, but also because of their origin, skin colour or language, for example. It is exhausting work, and yet the QRN staff never tire and tackle it day after day with vigour and energy.
Photos: Tobias Möritz