IDAHO -- stand up against homophobia and transphobia!

Yepp, 17 of May is the IDAHO -- nah, not that one, it's a different one. Symbolic date? Exactly. May 17 was chosen as the day of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization on May 17, 1990. Since then, there are several examples of the diversity of approaches and actions that organisations engage in. One thing is common: those who participate think that it is an opportunity to raise your voice, send a message and fight for human rights -- a never-ending struggle? Arising from prejudice and ignorance, homophobia and transphobia can affect LGBTQ people’s lives in many ways. Every day, members of the LGBTQ community face disapproving comments, verbal attacks, hate speech, and physical violence, simply because their gender identity and/or sexual orientation is not what is accepted by the mainstream society. What's more in case of Hungary -- declarations of homophobia and transphobia can be heard even in the Parliament. And at this rate, Budapest Police’s practice of banning the pride march every year will soon become a Hungarian national tradition... nice.

Let's see how we celebrated IDAHO in Budapest! Organized by a couple of NGOs (including Budapest Pride, Amnesty International Hungary, Háttér Support Society for LGBT People, Labrisz Lesbian Association, the Hungarian LGBT Alliance and TransVanilla Transgender Association) the event took place at Deák tér from 4 pm and there were numerous programs. You can read the official press realease partly written by me (link here), you know I am one of the organizers of the Budapest Pride. What you could choose: support the Budapest Pride March with a video message, make sidewalk art with us, sign the Baltic Pride petition of the Amnesty International or join a discussion about transphobia held in Café Vis Major. The key is to say NO somehow.

I could not attend the discussion, but I spent two hours at Deák tér by interviewing strangers what they think about the pride march in general, if they plan to attend this year's etc. We recorded a number of speakers for this video of support. Besides one extreme homophobe guy, all the answers were relevant and instructive ...and I have to tell you my favorite one: I asked a middle-aged women who took her kids why she thought it was important to attend the event -- and what she replied was soooo encouraging -- she said that she wanted her children to be raised in a society in which same-sex couples were just as usual as hetero ones. Lovely!

Budapest Pride March is ON!!!

Pride march is on -- surprisingly... or NOT. Last Friday, the court of Budapest has reportedly overruled the police’s decision not to grant a license for this year's pride march. Hurrah, the right to assembly (as a fundamental right) is still acknowledged -- the court said and ensured that the police had no legal grounds on which to deny the application. I still can not believe that we (as organizers) had to undergo exactly the same procedure as last year (as the police tried to block the march in 2011 as well...)

What can I say? Nice try? No... it is such a shame that such things can happen (and does happen) in this country. The police argued that it would be impossible to maintain the free flow of traffic, however we all know that it is only about a political decision. Discrimination? Exactly. Are we going to take further actions? YES!! With the help of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, we are going to take further legal actions against the police department, you can read our press release about this (link here).

I do not think that this is a victory of the lgbtq community since it is a fundamental human right. A fundamental right that has to be acknowledged all the time. I want to live in a country in which a person or group is not treated unfavorably on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity... as you already know, I am "just" an anxious hetero citizen, but I have to admit that it is so hard to be gay in Hungary. (sorry for writing gay, I hate that expression...) You can say that I am an outsider, but I disagree. Not because I'm one of the organizers but because the violation of basic rights (to be free from discrimination) is what affects everyone... as an activist, I fight for equal treatment which definitely should be the basis of the society. This is what I believe in, this is the basic principle of my life -- I don't know if I can change the world but at least I can try.

Flashlove flashmob in Budapest

It's spring and it's sunday. The weather is just perfect in Budapest for a stroll, moreover, for some love! What else? :)

Exactly from 4 p.m. in front of the church at Deák tér, there a flashmob organized by members of a certain facebook group took place (link here). As an anniversary, it was time to celebrate that a year has passed since the first same-sex kissing flashmob. Now the event was for EVERYONE who independently from sexual orientation or gender identity wanted to express solidarity. Propaganda? I don't think so. Just an action to show we can all love freely. 

The "essence" of a flashmob is that all participants shall start moving at the same moment. This time the initial stroke was given by the guy in the center by opening the umbrella. (To the end of this blog entry I am going to paste my favorite picture I took today about him.) The whole hugging scene was about 2 minutes long, but these actions are always short. It was creative, cute and I liked the rainbow umbrella :P

Actually, I made the original post to another blog that I'm working on (link here), but since that site deals with the cultural persecutive of things, I thought it would be important to highlight the importance of such an event here. Tolerance, acceptance... expressions that came into my mind when thinking back of this flashmob. It is actually a pretty funny and eye-catching method of awareness campaigning: how to reduce homophobia in a non-agressive way. 

NOM Declares War on Starbucks

Daily bullshit is out -- NOM declares war on Starbucks for being a LGBTQ-friendly place... NOM, the National Organization for Marriage is of course an antigay association that has just decided to fight against the company. It is boycotting Starbucks because they believe the coffee chain took sides in a culture war by supporting same-sex marriage in Washington. 

How they plan to do this? The organization launched a website called DumpStarbucks.com and said it intends to place advertisements throughout the U.S., the Middle East, and Southeast Asia that encourage people to stop patronizing Starbucks... all because the company is gay-friendly. And wow DumpStarbucks.com has 5800 pledges as of this morning... They are also asking people to call their local Starbucks and complain to the manager about the coffee purveyor’s gay marriage stance. Unbelievable... you can read more about this on advocate.com (link here)

There is one thing for sure: I love Starbucks and I think I love them more... and more... :) the space, the furniture, the smell and the beverage altogether attract me, love the place, love its management and love how they support the LGBTQ people. Go on like this!

I took this photo at a local Starbucks in Budapest during the winter. What I tried that time was a limited offer (toffee nut latte)

March 15 - The National Protest Day

Since 2006, we know that whenever comes a national holiday in Hungary, demonstrations are to be held by then. Historia est magistra vitae... or, comes the Hungarian absurd: remembrance or re-experience?! -- rhetorical question since we never learn from our mistakes. One single post is definitely not enough to explain the chaos, but let's see what happened yesterday.

Same deficiencies, same demands for more than 150 years, isn't it grotesque?  

Here is the list: 12 points of the Milla (One Million for the Freedom of Press in Hungary Facebook group) -- or the national minimum any Hungarian political party must fulfill for our votes:

1. Free Press!
Modern media regulation based on self-regulatory principles, the restriction of the influence of party-oligarchies.
2. Freedom of Religion!
The parliament should not be the one to decide who gets ecclesiastical status, no more priviliged (’standard’) churches!
3. Popular representation!
Transparent party financing and a balanced electoral system!
4. Burden sharing!
Install a fair, progressive taxation system that helps the ones with a low income.
5. Responsible Social Politics!
Improve Health Care and Social Security instead of discriminating underprivileged groups and and enforcing a strict criminal law.
6. Independent judiciary!
Restore the prestige and independence of the judiciary system, the Constitutional Court and the ombudsman’s offices!
7. Democratic Lawmaking!
Ban rushed legislation, restrict the rules of preparing legislation!
8. Transparency!
Control the use of public funds, create a new lobby law, guarantee access to public information and publish the agent lists of the socialist regime!
9. A Correct World of Labor!
Strengthen worker’s rights and trade unions, restore the national level negotiations with trade unions and abolish the inequitable communal work!
10. Equal Opportunities!
Competitive public- and higher education and academic freedom based on the equality of opportunities, and the restoration of institutional autonomy!
11. Sustainable Development!
Conservation of natural resources for future generations, no exploitation of renewable resources in the economy!
12. A firm stand by the core values of the EU!
Foreign policies that serve our further European integration, calculable economic policies!

So what if we protest? What is the outcome? If there is any... Fight over the numbers -- the usual characteristics of these events. Since Milla exists, the local independent media tries to say less than realistic. However, press releases outside the country are authentic. Is this the world we live in? Definitely... Considering the consequences of turning against the federal systems that we are part of, the current situation is quite worrisome. Thus, not surprisingly, the country is all over the world news, everyone is writing about us... Yesterday, Krugman posted another blog entry (link here) about why Hungary matters: "we have a nation in the heart of Europe, a member of the EU, a nation that emerged from dictatorship, which is at the very least backsliding on democracy. This is terrible — and terribly important. If you can’t see this, there’s something very wrong with your priorities." Sometimes I think it is so disappointing that I have to follow the international media to get clear pieces of news.

So, going back to the main topic: It is 2012. Budapest was occupied by protesters from all over the world. 3 demonstrations within a radius of five kilometers... Let's see! I don't think I should write anything about the one organized by the nazys... so let's jump to the next: the leading political party paid for its Polish audience, nice. It is always good to see the useful investment from the taxpayer's money. It was even a pleasure to see that they want to have our beloved prime minister. Sounds a great deal, I think we would happily exchange him... actually I was thinking of Anna Grodzka, the transsexual women who has just taken her seat in the Polish parliament.

Lastly, besides thousands of worrying citizens, a group of foreign politicians also attended the Milla protest. During the whole event, I was chatting with the French representatives, candidates, members of the EU parliament. It was surprising (at least for me) that they knew exactly what is going on in Hungary -- I mean, they were even familiar with issues like Új Színház or Klubrádió... by the way, they are planning to organize a Roma Pride in Budapest some time in November (yes, I expressed my interest :)) and I already invited them to the next Milla protest (October 23rd).

Raise you voice in order to raise awareness. This is a fundamental tool used by the opposition at all times. Now comes the Hungarian nonsense methodology: you can not only withstand the system and protest against, but for the regime! ...just because it is a matter of popularity. What differs is the way how you plan to reach people. Though the Milla protests lack professionalism, thousands of people attend, donate money and trust the power of a civil society. The idea of civil control is a motivation in itself... engaged audience rocks, paid clappers suck. Sorry..

...to lawmakers in St. Petersburg

Just to continue the previous post... so, what is the point in protesting against this horrible bill? Ok, I mean what can be the result? Actually, the bill won't become law until it's signed by the Governor. 

 

So, here is a list of facts, based on the article on All Out (link here): 

No. 1: St. Petersburg is one of Russia's number one tourist destinations. True. That's why an international storm of bad publicity will force the Governor to think twice about the cost of signing this bill. Worth the risk? 

No. 2: Conservatives in St. Petersburg passed this "gay gag rule" despite condemnation from world leaders - and even the country's own international treaty obligations respecting freedom of expression. But at the same time, Russian leaders recently announced that they want to invest $11 billion dollars to build their international reputation and attract tourists from around the world. St. Petersburg, Russia's cosmopolitan "window to the west" is key to that strategy. 

Silencing everything connected to "gay" is not really a western thing... so, I can only show my support, go on with the protest!

As in case of last week, there was another solidarity protest in Budapest, right outside the Russian embassy. This time the demonstration was accompanied by a drum show, just to highlight how important it is to raise your voice. Though the video is pretty dark, the message is clear: "we cannot be censored, banned or silenced" -- in various languages. 

Against the Russian "propaganda law"

Let's start with clarification: this is not an action organized by me, I did not even join but I show my support. 

I do think it is important to say some words -- what is going on with this issue? It already became known that the governor of St. Petersburg (Georgiy Poltavchenko) signed the homophobic law (gay gag law) imposing administrative fines on the so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderism" and paedophilia to minors. The lawmakers passed the notorious "propaganda" law to silence any reading, writing, speech or debate on anything "gay." The goal? To make LGBT people disappear. No question.

Having read the article (link here) posted onto ILGA-Europe's site, I can only quote it, because it perfectly summarizes what the problem is:

"In fact, this law has little to do with protecting minors. Today, neither homosexual people, nor human rights defenders, nor lawyers can answer the question of how this law is going to be applied in practice, due to its vague nature and non-legal terminology. To talk about existence of homosexuality, to publicly denounce homophobic violence, to develop sense of self-awareness and dignity in homosexual people, to promote tolerance – all of these acts can fall under the "propaganda" law. This law will serve directly to further isolate and marginalize the gay community and encourage hate towards a social group."

There was a banner-making afternoon nearly two weeks ago -- oh yeah, how to be creative but serious: spread your message and raise your voice.

There has already been a "sympathy" protest last week outside the Russian Embassy in Budapest and another demonstration is to be held tomorrow. What is the aim? To show rage against condemnation of this bill and also to pressure the governor to withdraw the law. In addition, it is an opportunity to show solidarity with the Russian LGBTQI community.

Cookie action on Women's Day

So, happy international women's day for yesterday! I think I already told you something about our plans for this "holiday". If yes, I'm going to repeat myself -- sorry about that. If you remember, some days ago we "celebrated" the pay gap day, and based on the inequalities we had a compensational idea. "We" in this case means the Women's Group at the Amnesty International Hungary -- our team gets more and more excited when thinking about actions :) so, since men get more money for the same job than women, (in the EU, the difference is 17%), we wanted a reverse day -- and what can be more symbolic than women's day?!

We distributed free biscuits on Deák tér, which is a central place in Budapest, but the trick was that while women got a full portion, men received only a half... just to highlight the pay discrimination in a more creative way. We offered the sweets for free but we had an honesty box -- you can guess that only a few people donated some coins. It is not surprising, people usually don't pay much attention to these things. So, please if you can, support us, help! (donation option under the help tab).

Fortunately we met some really nice persons who were interested in our work, asked a lot of questions not just about the situation of women but also about the organization. And... imagine, a friendly old grandpa even brought us some flowers! Conclusion: we should continue what we do because there are people outside who trust us and thinks that we, "people" can change the world.

Introducing Budapest Pride

So, today is the day of the CEU NGO fair. I've just read back the post that I published some days ago and realized that I have not written anything about Budapest Pride. 

I joined the organizer team last autumn, especially those coordinating the press. Later, when it turned out that I'm originally an art manager (or something like that), they convinced me to help the culture group arranging the events. I said ok, I welcomed this job because the Pride is an example how a cultural festival can highlight the importance of "colorfulness". The fight against homophobia and discrimination takes shape in a week-long cultural event with film screenings, exhibition, theater plays and of course the pride march. Its political message is inevitable -- due to the quite worrisome situation in the country -- but I think we should rather focus on the cultural values of such. It is more important to show that the festival is not only about saying "fuck off, I'm gay, get used to it", but about how diverse the lgbtq community is. 

I do enjoy working with them though it is not at all easy. I've already started contacting with gallery spaces, ruin bars, cafés -- wanted to find out who is open to exhibitions dealing with queer art. Meanwhile, I've also started a consultation with music artists, bands. We will see...

Desperate students

No matter what the weather is like, desperate students protested against the educational laws in Budapest. This time organized by Hallgatói Hálózat (Student's Network), a demonstration, a march. Would-be and already university students (finally) stood up for their rights - our rights - and said no to the changes in the higher education system: dramatic cut on frame numbers, doubling and tripling of tuition fees, abolishment of government support. What's coming next is what remained unknown.



I  I took half of the article from politics.hu about a previous protest: 

"Students’ union HOOK has turned to the European Commission over Hungary’s new higher education laws, chairman David Nagy told a gathering of demonstrating students in Budapest on Wednesday evening. 

Nagy said that a clause in the new laws requiring students who receive state financing for their courses to stay in the country for some years for work is “no solution to the problem of brain drain”. He told a group of about 200 gathered in central Deak ter that the solution would be creating work conditions and wages on par with the rest of Europe and restoring the prestige of knowledge and getting a degree. He said students demand that the government reverse recent drastic cuts in certain areas of study based on professional considerations. He mentioned economics and law as two areas which unjustly took the brunt of the cuts. He cited Hungary’s basic rights ombudsman as saying recently that applicants’ rights were seriously violated over the past few months and pushing the deadline for applications forward did not help this." 

Continue! Continue! Continue!