We are the Queer Pride Groningen committee, formed of representatives from various activist, feminist and queer organizations and associations in and around Groningen.
The reason that we are hosting Queer Pride is because we are unsatisfied with the way that many Prides around the country are organized. Often, this is to the detriment of marginalized groups within the LGBTQIAA+ community, such as trans people, queer and trans people of colour, and so on – and instead, focused on a cisheteronormative white audience.
To address this, Queer Pride Groningen will try to be as inclusive as possible and to avoid committing any harm. We therefore have four main principles:
No corporate involvement
We stand against the pinkwashing of Pride (whereby corporations display themselves to make them look like they care about LGBTQIAA+ rights, whereas they show no explicit support for LGBTQIAA+ people for the rest of the year and continue to be oppressive to marginalized groups). Local donations from explicitly queer-friendly or known organizations, however, are not the same as corporate sponsorships and will likely be accepted. We distinguish between donations (nothing expected in return, likely to be accepted) and sponsorship (where a corporation, group or association expects visibility for their brand at pride. Never accepted.)
Inclusive approach
We want to approach Pride bearing in mind the most marginalized voices within the LGBTQIAA+ community. This means that we do not provide a platform to racist, right-wing, capitalist or pink-washing individuals or groups. We cannot prevent individuals with these views from joining, but we stand against any display of discrimination against marginalised groups at our event. Instead, we will attempt to provide a safer space for marginalized groups within the local LGBTQIAA+ community. Individuals that voice discriminatory messages will be removed from our events and legally prosecuted accordingly.
Pride as a protest
Pride started as a protest for LGBTQIAA+ rights. As LGBTQIAA+ people are still oppressed and marginalized, the protest nature of Pride will be central to our Pride event. This means that, although we will indeed provide room for celebrating LGBTQIAA+ people, protesting the continuing oppression of these people will be at the core. Celebration and protest are not mutually exclusive.
Community-focused
We aim for our Pride to be organized by and for LGBTQIAA+ people. Not only that, we also mean that this Pride event attempts to shape a community. It is not necessarily intended to be representative of all LGBTQIAA+ people in the local area, but to shape and guide an LGBTQIAA+ community that cares about active inclusion.
Curious?
If you want to get involved, keep up to date with our activities or reach out to us, follow us on facebook and instagram or write us an email!