The Official Copenhagen Pride Magazine - English by Copenhagen Pride

THE OFFICIAL COPENHAGEN PRIDE MAGAZINE

NO1 SOLIDARITY 2020

HEART CORE NON-BINARY TRANSFEMME WITCH Interview with Valentine Tanz

TOGETHER APART

Copenhagen Pride goes digital Copenhagen Pride Week 2020 Program inside

HeartCore editorial staff Christian Vincent Jung – Editor-in-chief – He/Him Mariya Alfa Staugaard – Executive Editor & Staff Writer – She/Her Josefine Bruun Meyer – Executive Editor – She/Her Michael Bager – Executive Editor – He/Him Lærke Vinther Christiansen – Staff Writer – She/Her Andre Sanchez-Montoya - Staff Writer – He/Him Anne Sophie Parsons - Staff Writer – She/Her Paulie Calderon-Cifuentes – Staff Writer – She/Her Sara Sille Englund – Staff Writer – She/Her Martin Fyn Aamand – Staff Writer – He/Him Thomas Kim Rasmussen – Writer – He/Him Nicholas Chisha – Writer –He/Him Louise Østergaard Sørensen – Translator & Copy Editor – She/Her Søren Juliussen – Graphic Artist & Layout – He/Him Lea Albrechtsen – Translator, program – She/Her Helle Bjørnstrup – Graphic Artist, program – She/Her

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Coverphoto: Pia Pritzel

CONTENT H E A R TC O R E M A G A Z I N E - I S S U E 0 1

02 WELCOME

FIVE QS FOR THE CHAIRPERSON A WHOLE NEW PRIDE

CULTURE @ COPENHAGEN PRIDE 2020

JUSTICE FOR ALL

CONSENT AND LGBTI+ RIGHTS

SHORT STORY CONTEST

RAISE YOUR FISTS, SOLIDARITY STILL EXISTS

THE ASYLUM PROCESS IN DENMARK

HUMAN RIGHTS @ COPENHAGEN PRIDE 2020

COPENHAGEN PRIDE WEEK PROGRAM

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE EVERY DAY THE GREATEST PRIDE

NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED

SPONSORSHIPS AND SUPPORT OF COPENHAGEN PRIDE

LET’S HAVE A QUEERVERSATION AN INTRODUCTION AND AN INVITATION

SPACE FOR EVERYONE?

INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN COPENHAGEN PRIDE’S SHOWS

THE BIG PRIDE SHOW IS ONLINE

TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN

… AND WHY THE SLYTHERINS DIDN’T GET TO FIGHT IN THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS

CREATING AN INCLUSIVE CULTURAL PROGRAM

Hent den danske version på www.copenhagenpride.dk/heartcore

WELCOME! D

earest reader, It is our great pleasure to welcome you to HeartCore – The Official Copenhagen Pride Magazine. This is our debut venture into print media, and what you see in front of you, be it in your hands or on your screen, is the first edition. Thank you for picking it up, thereby joining us on this journey. It has been a long, demanding, and sometimes hectic process, but we are overjoyed at this chance to amplify and share LGBTI+ voices in media.

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The magazine will be available in English in print and in Danish and English online. We made the choice to have the printed version in English only to reach as broad an audience as possible, while also wanting to limit the amount of pollution that inevitably rises from producing physical media, which would be much higher had we chosen to print versions in both languages. This is also why we decided to choose KLS PurePrint to print the magazine, since their “Cradle-to-Cradle” certificate guaran-

tees that they create value for people as well as the environment. Only three companies in the world have this certification, making them frontrunners when it comes to sustainability in print media. The theme of this edition of HeartCore is SOLIDARITY. 2020 has proven to be a year full of challenges, both for our community and for the world at large. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures, and we want to do what we can to foster a sense of solidarity, not just within the LGBTI+ community, but also towards other marginalized groups around the world, who are currently facing heartbreak and struggle. As we look forward to Copenhagen Pride Week 2020, we do so in the hope that we can include as much of the community as possible, not just in Copenhagen, but in the rest of the nation. We want to stoke the flame of solidarity by encouraging people to think beyond themselves, to consider other voices and lived realities. As an organization with a platform and a voice as strong as ours, it is our responsibility to use it to create space for those who feel like they are not heard. If we want to change the world, we must get better at understanding the broad, overarching, and diverse “US”. We are embarking on this adventure with the knowledge that we are currently not as representative an editorial staff as we would like to see in the long run – so, with this first edition, we encourage anyone in the community who feel like they

have an idea or a concept they want to share to reach out. We want to listen, and we want HeartCore to be something that the entire Pride-community can feel ownership of. We wish you a very happy read! – The board of Copenhagen Pride and the HeartCore editorial staff

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FIVE QS FOR THE CHAIRPERSON A WHOLE NEW PRIDE

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Photo: Nadia Horsted-Narejo

ars Henriksen has been chairperson of Copenhagen Pride since 2013. Here, he discusses what the new circumstances will mean for Copenhagen Pride Week 2020 and what has been learned during the planning process.

What can we expect from Copenhagen Pride Week this year? First and foremost: that it will be different than usual! We’re working with a number of digital formats that are new to us. Hopefully, this will give us valuable experience we can use in the coming years. It’s been important to make sure that Copenhagen Pride is still visible in the cityscape, so we’ve maintained a presence at City Hall Square. We’ve gathered the Human Rights Program and Culture Program in four large tents, with full live streaming, as well as the chance

for the audience to be physically present, if allowed. The program will be running from Monday to Friday. Together with Agenda Group, our most important partner in that regard, we’ve also created City Hall Square as a digital universe, so you can participate from home if you’re not comfortable showing up in real life. An advantage of that is that people outside of Copenhagen will be able to join. Our outdoor concerts at City Hall Square will not be possible this year, so again we’ve dived into the digital possibilities and created an amalgamation of the artists who would have played during the week, for one concert on Saturday August 22nd. It’s been our wish to execute as much of the program as possible and to direct attention towards what’s most important to our community, and to shine a light on our challenges and lives.

What’s been important for you during planning? We’ve wanted to create formats that make it possible to participate and that create a sense of activism. And most importantly, we wanted to create something that shows that we care for our participants in an uncertain time. It hasn’t been our goal to reach the limit of the ban on gathering; on the contrary, we want to show that we are responsible and take all possible considerations for the safety of our participants.

Why not just cancel and save your efforts for next year? There are several reasons for this. The first, and most important, is that we’re not just a festival, but a rights movement, and we cannot pause the fight for LGBTI+ rights for a year.

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Photo: Wilfred Gachau

"It’s been amazing to realize how much knowledge and experience we have within our organization"

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Looking at the world around us, we see that several governments have exploited the Corona crisis to pass legislation that limit the lives and safety of LGBTI+ people. We cannot stand idly by. We also have a great sense of responsibility towards the Danish LGBTI+ community. We know that Copenhagen Pride Week is an energy boost for many, as well as a way to let off steam and gain confidence. We cannot postpone that for a year either. Lastly, there’s the consideration for ourselves as an organization. We receive a grant from the city of Copenhagen, which hinges on an agreement that describes certain goals we must meet. It is a responsibility and a commitment we take very seriously. We want to show that we understand that with a municipal grant comes a responsibility towards the citizens.

If we cancelled, we’d run the risk of having to pay back all funds, both from the city and from sponsors, which would have meant a de facto shutdown of the organization for two years and dismissal of our staff – which would take away our ability to execute other activities and carry out political lobbying. It was simply not an option to cancel.

Isn’t it much cheaper to create Copenhagen Pride Week in the format you’re using this year? If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this process, it’s that it isn’t at all cheaper to work with digital formats. There is a huge amount of technology, software and developing involved and at the same time, we’re faced with less funds than usual. But when the need is greatest, help is often closest. It’s been amazing to realize how much knowledge and experience we have within our organization, and how constructively and positively everyone has reacted to the task of switching things up in the 11th hour. At the same time, we haven’t been able to get a cent from the compensation schemes offered in the wake of the Corona crisis. They depend on a number of requirements that we don’t meet. To get salary compensation, your employees must have been sent home without work, which wasn’t possible for us if we were going to create a completely new Copenhagen Pride Week in a matter of weeks. To get basic expenses covered, you must have expenses for at least 12.500 kroner a month, which we don’t. We’re very conscious of expenses as an organization, so most of our funds go back into the community. Lastly, we’re a free festival where everyone can participate without fees, so we’re not faced with lost income for tickets or repayment for the audience. We are, however, faced with loss of income on drinks and merchandise, which isn’t covered.

This means that we’re depending on everyone’s support, and for everyone to buy our wrist band, since it’s now an income we rely on more than ever.

What are you most excited about for Copenhagen Pride Week 2020? I’m looking forward to seeing if digital formats increase and extend the possibilities for participation in Copenhagen Pride Week. It has also been touching to experience how many of our partners immediately came to us, when we went out with the news that we were working with digital formats, and asked ‘how can we help you?’ This goes to show that Copenhagen Pride is a community that many people take responsibility for. I couldn’t be more grateful for the organization we are, for all our incredible volunteers who have gone into this task with positivity and passion. And I’m looking forward to us raising the rainbow flag over Copenhagen again this year!

HOW CAN YOU HELP? • Participate: Either physically, to the extent that we will be allowed to gather in August. For instance in the debates at City Hall Square. Or digitally, as described in this article. • Become an activist from home: Hang the various flags of our community out of your window, set up viewing parties, upload pictures and messages on Copenhagen Pride’s platforms and ask questions at the debates. • Buy the support wrist band: For yourself. For your friends. Heck, why not get an early start on your Christmas shopping?

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COPENHAGEN PRIDE INVITES YOU ALL TO OUR FIRST EVER SHORT STORY CONTEST Firsts. Nothing quite compares to those terrific, testing, and eye-opening first-time experiences. For that very reason, these experiences set the stage for Copenhagen Pride to introduce our – also very first – short story contest. Copenhagen Pride has always attempted to create space for the many LGBTI+ voices, and this time around, we’d like to try a different approach. A good story can engage us all, and in the world of fiction, we can dive into the stories of others and see the world from a different perspective than our own – and that kind of solidarity and diversity is already close to the heart of Copenhagen Pride. That is why we have chosen to launch a short story contest – and you are hereby invited and included. All you need to do is to grab your keyboard and write a 7-10-page short story. The themes are “LGBTI+” and “Firsts” and the short story must be purely fictional. You are welcome to write it in Danish or English provided you stay within the framework of the themes and tell exactly the story that is inside you. A winner will be chosen in each language. Behind the contest is the Culture Group of Copenhagen Pride, whose task it is to bring LGBTI+ culture to light in all its diverse forms and contexts. Literature is of course a key part of this, as inclusion and understan-

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ding can be encouraged by stories that allows the reader to experience life from a new and different point of view. The short stories will be judged by a specially selected panel, which will be announced in the fall edition of HeartCore, but already we are able to reveal that author and publisher Line Lybecker will be among those who choose the two winners of the very first Copenhagen Pride short story contest. It should also be mentioned that the two best short stories will of course not be for the sole enjoyment of Copenhagen Pride. The two winners will have their short story published both online on Copenhagen Pride’s website and in this magazine!

SPECIFICATIONS Genre: Fiction in the short story format Page count: 7-10 pages of 2.100 type units (taking up approximately 7-10 Word pages) Themes: LGBTI+ and “Firsts” Deadline: October 7th, 2020 Contributions can be sent to: novellekonkurrence@copenhagenpride.dk The winners will be contacted directly on November 2nd, 2020.

RAISE YOUR FISTS, SOLIDARITY STILL EXISTS By Anne Sophie Parsons

uring quarantine, I have been watching the feel-good comedy Pride (2014) as a sort of makeshift security blanket now that the possibility of gathering physically in the LGBTI+ community has been put on extended leave. With a healthy amount of disarming humour, the movie portrays a group of idealistic homosexual activists in 1984’s London, who are collecting money for the miners’ strike in an exceedingly class-divided England. The cooperation between these unlikely partners, who at first glance appear mismatched, is carried forward by faith, hope, and pure, fiery souls. An alliance is forged and cemented by one solid shake of the hand between taciturn Welsh miners and out and proud homosexual activists. The handshake expresses more than words could: I’ve got your back – you can trust me when things look worse than ever.

Supporting one another, especially in the light of belonging to vulnerable sections of society, is a socioeconomic and forward-looking effort. While the British class division of the 80s and an ‘us against them’ mentality may seem a bit too rigid viewed from a contemporary perspective, there is always the risk of falling back into well-known patterns, mirroring the same conflict. Conversely, solidarity creates a platform wherein it is possible to utilise each other’s skills, networks, and, to just as high a degree, mental resources. And in the context of the resourceful people in the LGBTI+ community, it is a helping hand that is worth its weight in gold. This is especially true for disadvantaged LGBTI+ asylum seekers and refugees with residence permits, who have had to flee because of their sexual orientation or gender-based identity and are suffering under the isolation made

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Photo: Thomas Cato

necessary by the ongoing corona pandemic. For what are you to do when you must put on an act and stay in the closet because of your roommate at the asylum centre? When social gatherings and places of belonging within the LGBTI+ community are no longer available, and you cannot meet with likeminded people with the same sexuality or gender identity as yourself? When you are alone? And when the psychological baggage you have brought with you is growing with each passing day?

How are you? Due to the demands of social distancing, communities have instead moved to the internet. When you cannot gather in real life, you must stay updated on each other’s mental health via various online platforms. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Danish-based organisation LGBT Asylum has invited their members to virtual bingo and Friday cafés as a way to combat loneliness. Smiling and lagging, light and dark faces roll up in small squares on computer screens in the homes of contacts, and in the rooms of the asylum seekers. “How are you?” is the most

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frequently uttered sentence in each meeting. The most important thing to know is how you are feeling, and that there is an opportunity to air your thoughts on the current, relentless crisis we find ourselves in.

"The crisis has not put an end to the needs, problems and concerns of LGBTQ asylum seekers and refugees." The virtual meetings also provide unique experiences that need to be pointed out: Where else can you lead a conversation with a Samsung Galaxy S10 that never truly undergoes a full transformation into a human being, as well as following the creation of homemade Easter chickens with bulging eyes?

I spoke about this with Yanaba Mompremier, head of the secretariat in LGBT Asylum. During our conversation, she mentioned how the corona crisis has prompted us to think outside of the box in terms of the preservation of our communities: “The lockdown has made it necessary to rethink how we meet. In LGBT Asylum, we have made use of digital platforms, had various themes and activities, and had a daily online diary in one of our Facebook groups. Nevertheless, it has proved challenging for most of our members to access these platforms – they have had neither the energy nor the resources to participate in this type of communication. Instead, we have developed new activities (that follow the government guidelines, of course), which have made it possible for the members of the group to meet up physically – a crucial step in the preservation of their mental health.” This initiative has resulted in a few planned picnics in secure conditions. Small groups of up to 8 people from LGBT Asylum’s group have met outdoors in Copenhagen and Aarhus to enjoy each other’s company – naturally, while maintaining proper distance and with hands slathered in hand-sanitiser. The usual one-on-one relations and supporting efforts have also been initiated gradually within the guidelines - assisting with education, finding living spaces, or just an honest chat. The crisis hasn’t curbed the needs, problems, and worries that LGBTI+ asylum seekers and refugees are faced with. In fact, the reverse is true - anxiety, depression, and general unhappiness have been on the rise because of the crisis. Furthermore, these concerns are valid. For instance, it is possible to apply for permanent residency if you’ve lived in Denmark for eight years. However, there are a few additional requirements that need to be met,

and they have only become more stringent in recent years. For this reason, losing your job during the corona crisis can have grave consequences. Mads Ted Drud-Jensen, a committee member in LGBT Asylum, focuses specifically on this point: “The corona crisis has underlined the necessity of communities just like ours in LGBT Asylum. And because the crisis may have protracted consequences, for some more than others, we must make sure to maintain and strengthen the communities. Even if it is especially challenging in the current circumstances.” Nicholas Chisha is a member of LGBT Asylum, and, fortunately, his LGBTI+ asylum case was one of the few to enter through the judicial eye of the needle as he gained his residence permit in the past few years. He has participated actively in the group, especially during the quarantine, and when I reached out to him, he smilingly and energetically shared his lockdown experiences with me:

Photo: Thomas Cato

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”It’s been 8 weeks+ since lockdown. As human beings, at our core, is the need for social human interaction, though, with LGBT Asylum, our monthly meetings have been interrupted. Thank God for the virtual café meetings and of course the times we have met online and played bingo. Yes, we have self-isolated and practised social distancing, but one thing corona hasn’t taken away is our connection as an LGBTI+ family. We have been put to the test and in solidarity, we stand.”

"Queen Margrethe herself had to resort to an old-fashioned raised index finger and reprimand the Danes as disobedient children, who had to be schooled." Support is also to be found outside the Danish borders: internationally, the Greek NGO LGBTQ+ Refugees Welcome has helped as best they could by allying with the group Emantes – International LGBTQ Solidarity to establish an online fundraiser for LGBTI+ asylum seekers through their #4isCalling campaign. In the space of two weeks, they managed to raise 2,213 EUR (or 15,755 DKK). While addressing this initiative, it is also important to keep in mind that Greece’s Moria Camp – at the time of writing, the largest European refugee camp – is populated by 18,000 people of all ages and various

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sexualities and gender identities. The capacity of the camp is 2,200. In the wake of the grave government announcements on the 11th of March, when the bizarre reality of corona times first hit us, other less palpable events took place. I am tempted to say something is rotten in the state of Denmark, to quote Shakespeare’s Hamlet. While hoarding toilet paper and food supplies, our general attitude towards each other in society was put under a media microscope. Her Majesty the Queen, Margrethe II, even had to scold the Danish population like disobedient children who had to be called to attention. Hopefully, we can aspire for the solidary nature of the LGBTI+ community to serve as a guiding star in the aftermath of the pandemic. How the time after quarantine will be defined in terms of economic and social consequences, it is hard to say at the moment. But we can always put hope in our willingness to reach out and stand together. To quote the movie, Pride: “When you're in a battle against an enemy so much bigger, so much stronger than you – to find out you had a friend you never knew existed, well, that's the best feeling in the world.” This feels particularly relevant and apt today and emphasises the importance of maintaining a united front – in the name of solidarity and community spirit.

STORYTELLING: THE ASYLUM PROCESS IN DENMARK By Nicholas Chisha

ast year, Denmark received 2.716 applications for asylum. The majority of the people seeking asylum in Denmark have come from the Middle East or Africa and may be seeking based on a number of factors, one of those being that they’ve escaped persecution as an LGBTI+ person. Refugees and asylum seekers in Denmark often face loneliness and isolation, as well as the pressure of having to “prove” their sexual orientation to avoid their application being rejected. All too often, their voices are silenced or ignored. In this column, we invited Nicholas Chisha to tell his story about the process of seeking asylum in Denmark. I arrived in Denmark on December 29, 2016. I was on a 60-day tourist´s visa – 2 years prior, I had fled my home country, after which I lived in another country on a student’s visa. I was out of resources, and the risk of me having to go back home, after having lived freely as a gay man for 2 years, was looming.

With every morning came a heaviness, apprehension, and uncertainty. I decided that I had to apply for asylum – otherwise, I had to face the unbearable alternative of going ´home´. I told my host of my decision. He tried to dissuade me, as he thought it was too difficult. His actual words were, “the system is too harsh on applicants, I wouldn’t advise you to go through with it.” I knew I couldn’t go back, so I figured I had nothing to lose. Though initially reluctant, he eventually supported me and asked me to wait a few days just to be sure. But my mind was already made up. A few days later, he introduced me to LGBT Asylum.

Applying for asylum When I went to the police station in Odense to make my application, I remember being anxious. Luckily, my encounter with the police was pleasant. The harshness of the system wasn’t experienced until later. I was given a

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train ticket and instructed to proceed to centre Sandholm the next day. That evening I wrote to LGBT Asylum, and thus I was associated with the organisation. Expecting the worst, I shaved off my hair before I went to Sandholm. My fingerprints were taken again, and the police had to verify that I hadn’t applied for asylum in another

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European state. The application was logged, and one week later I was moved to the transit centre Auderød. I stayed in Auderød for about 3 weeks before I was sent to centre Sønderborg. Here I got the first taste of life as an asylum seeker. 2 weeks after my arrival, the Danish immigration office notified me of an interview about my asylum application. The interview lasted about 5-6 hours, after which I was informed that they would call for a 2nd interview in 6 months. There was nothing more to do than wait. In August 2017, we learned that Centre Sønderborg would close, and everyone would be transferred to a new centre by the end of September. This was stressful as it meant new acquaintances and new housemates. I moved to Centre Tranum. People disliked it because it was isolated. I loved it. The surrounding nature provided me with serenity. The biggest challenge was that we had no transport. So, if we wanted to go to e.g. Aalborg on the weekends, we had to pay for a taxi. We received instruction in the Danish language for 2,5 hours, 4 times a week. There wasn´t much else to do. I needed more activity to stay sane, so I got an internship at a bakery in a town 15 km away. I was there for 7 months and then secured another internship for 9 months. I have fond memories of the last place. The owners were the most wonderful couple, and I had equally wonderful colleagues. They could barely speak English, and the man loved conversating. Consequently, my understanding of the Danish language grew. In January 2018, 9 months after my first interview with immigration, I bumped into one of the Centre’s contact persons. The first thing she said was ”Weren’t you supposed to have travelled to Sandholm for your interview tomorrow?” I could feel my heart sink. A notification had been received by the cen-

remember this great wall of tears emerging that I almost couldn’t stop, and I would feel hollow for days after. There is a psychological trauma that follows the realisation that you must leave your home and seek refuge elsewhere. Those two interviews were the first times I had to relive everything. It was very tough and difficult. However, I found healing in talking about it, and finally accepting that I was here and planned never to return. I waited a month before immigration’s decision arrived. I was rejected. Simply put, they didn’t believe I was gay.

"he explained how work-rules dictated that ‘personal relationships’ were not allowed, but at times, close bonds would inevitably form." tre in December but hadn’t gotten to me, so I was unaware of the pending interview. When I explained that I wasn’t prepared at all, she responded that “it will not look good if you don’t show up for your interview”. I don’t recall ever getting that mad before. I prepared as best as I could and took the 5 hours+ trip to Sandholm. The following morning, my interview began. My first interview had felt like a simple collection of information. The second interview felt like an interrogation. The interviewer was cross-checking, probing, and taking me round in circles, as it seemed she was trying to trip me up in my story. I was questioned for around 5-6 hours. At both interviews, I

Rejected cases, like mine, are automatically escalated to the Danish Refugee Appeals Board, and a lawyer is appointed to assist. They review the case again and make the final ruling. I had to wait for another 18 months before my hearing came up with the appeals board. After I’d been rejected, I’d silently gone to my room, climbed into bed, and shut out the world. For 7 days I stayed in bed with little movement. I remember feeling like a lead weight had been laid over me so I couldn’t get up. Every morning my roommates would ask what was wrong, and I said I was fine and just needed rest. Hopelessness aside, I felt a cer-

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tain comfort in reclusion. After the 7th day, I thought “I have to get up. I have to go on, this is not the end.” At the centre, I had a cordial relationship with the staff and was particularly close to one. One day one of our mutual friends had received her final rejection and had to leave Denmark, and as she contemplated how to travel back with 2 kids, she cried in his office. After she left, he explained how work-rules dictated that ‘personal relationships’ were not allowed, but at times, close bonds would inevitably form. I asked how they coped with people leaving. He said, they tried to keep a distance, but as time went on, they became numb. In April 2019, I was moved to Centre Hviding. It wasn’t until June that a date for my hearing was appointed. This time I wasn’t as anxious. Partly because I understood that I had great representation, and my contact per-

son from LGBT Asylum had a background in law and was surprisingly resourceful. I had resolved that the only way I was going back to my home country was as a corpse, yet I didn’t plan to stay if I was rejected. That resolve was a great consolation – whatever happened, I wasn’t going home. On July 12, the hearing began as scheduled. From the beginning, the translator had trouble translating my English and after 45 minutes the session was halted by the judges who decided to postpone. I wanted to continue anyway, as I was mentally and emotionally depleted from having waited for so long. The lawyer advised that it was in my best interest to take the judges counsel, so I went back to the Centre and waited yet again. I was called in again on October 2nd. Different translator and a different set of judges. After an hour-long session, I was asked to step out. We waited for an hour before I was

Refugees in Denmark • In January 2020, immigrants and refugees made up 10,5% of Denmark’s population • Refugees leave their country of origin due to persecution, while immigrants leave based on free will, or due to poverty and poor living conditions •

Through the years, Denmark has received refugees from more than 70 countries. The biggest group of refugees have come from former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Lebanon (stateless Palestinians), Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Eritrea, and Syria

Source: Danish Refugee Council

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called in. I had been granted the right to live in Denmark, 2 years, and 8 months after I had written my first asylum application. It was surreal and felt like a dream. I kept pinching myself. It wasn’t long before I was overcome with emotion. Afterwards, I went to a friend’s home and cried. Fortunately, I had the necessary solitude allowing me to let out all the negative emotions that I had suppressed. The tears flowed freely for 3-4 days – It was such an intense relief.

'Those who’ve never left the shores of Denmark, have no idea what it is like to live in a region where culture forbids and criminalises anything nonheterosexual' My experiences have given me a wide perspective on life. I’ve seen how people with different cultures live life, witnessed a bloody knife fight, looked into the eyes of a reject facing deportation, and seen pain in a wounded soul. Speaking of solidarity, I’ve received great support from friends both LGBTI+ and heterosexual. These people have accepted every part of me, without expecting me to change. These are my family. I’ve experienced acceptance and realised that we are bound together, regardless of race, culture, and sexuality.

I understand that even in Denmark, it is difficult to be anything but heterosexual. However, those who’ve never left the shores of Denmark, have no idea what it is like to live in a region where culture forbids and criminalises anything non-heterosexual. Therefore “Pride” should be celebrated and supported by both queers and straights. And no outfit can be too outrageous, or too ‘out there’. It is a day when no one must try to fit in. Someone said, “Gay pride was not born of a need to celebrate being gay, but our right to exist without persecution. So instead of wondering why there isn’t a straight pride movement, be thankful you don’t need one.” I remember marching in one of the pride marches with LGBT Asylum, when a spectator nodded to a young girl of around 10 or 11 – most likely her daughter. This young girl pushed through the crowd and handed me a pride flag and then walked back to her mother. I couldn’t tell whether one of them identified as LGBTI+ or not, but it was a powerful moment for me that symbolised solidarity. Talking about solidarity, I was conveying my gratitude to a friend of mine for the support and he said, “No don’t thank me. I give my support because I realise how lucky I am to be in Denmark. Had I been born in another time, or another country, it could very easily have been me in your shoes right now”.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM...

HUMAN RIGHTS @ COPENHAGEN PRIDE 2020 2020 has been an unprecedented year for us all. The COVID-19 outbreak has had consequences for everyone, and The Human Rights Program at this year’s Copenhagen Pride Week is no exception. It is our hope to be able to inspire and contribute to conversations about the developments in our understanding of gender, bodies, and sexuality. This year’s theme is solidarity. We want to focus on how we can help each other, be more empathetic, and stand together. However, solidarity will not be the focus of all the debates, instead we have attempted to create a space in which a wide variety of voices can share their stories and give insight into their areas of expertise or interest.

As always, we made room for both the serious and the fun, the political and the activism, and that which is both. We are still working towards creating an even more inclusive program, and it is our sincere hope that you will explore the 5-day Human Rights Program. ”I’m very excited for this year’s program, where the debates will take us, and how everything will fall into place in spite of COVID-19. I’m really looking forward to seeing the debate about consent, which I think is a truly important issue to direct attention to.” – Jax Jakshøj, Head of Human Rights, Copenhagen Pride

THE VALUE OF A CONSENT BASED LEGISLATION The work to get consent-based rape legislation implemented has received a lot of attention from the media, but it largely focuses on the heteronormative version which leaves the LGBTI+ segment out of the discussion. This event aims to debate what effect a consent-based law can have on the LGBTI+ community and seeks to include the LGBTI+ community in the debate. Participants: Kvinfo, Amnesty International Language: Danish When and Where: David Kato: Telt 1, Monday the 17th of August, from 18.00 – 19.00

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THE ANTI-LGBTI+ MOVEMENT IN POLAND In 2019, it was first reported that several areas in Poland had implemented ‘LGBTI+ free zones’ with the support of the far-right government. This has had big consequences for Poland’s LGBTI+ community, who are now facing both political animosity and the condemnation of the Polish people. At this event, Polish researchers and activists from Warsaw and Lublin, among other places, will describe their experiences and their continued struggle for equal rights. Participants: Katarzyna Malinowska, Alicja Sienkiewicz, Nina Matusik, Dawid Wojtyczka and Julia Maciocha Language: English When and Where: Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera: Tent 2, Friday the 21st of August, from 19.00 – 20.00

LGBTI+ REFUGEES ON THE RUN How can Denmark take responsibility for LGBTI+ refugees on the run? LGBT Asylum receives requests for help from LGBTI+ people around the world who had to flee their country of origin because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and as a result are in the surrounding area. The stories and cries for help which LGBT Asylum receives all point to one thing: not even in the surrounding areas are LGBTI+ refugees safe. This talk aims a spotlight on Denmark’s responsibility. What about quota refugees and when can we do more? Participants: Language: English When and Where: Claude Cahun: Tent 3, Thursday the 20th of August, from 14.30 – 16.00

QUALITY OF LIFE AND LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION Denmark uses CPR (personal ID numbers) in many contexts and as a result, many situations occur where transgender children and young adults are confronted with their legal gender, which appears on their person number, and does not match their appearance. This can be a degrading experience which can exclude transgender children and young adults from communities. In 2018, the option of legal gender recognition for children and young adults was a part of the VLAK government’s LGBTI+ plan of action. In 2020, children and young adults still do not have the opportunity for legal gender recognition. Participants: Helle Jacobsen (Amnesty International) Helge Sune Nyman (FSTB), Marie Eliabeth Lind-Thomsen (FSTB) Language: Danish When and Where: Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera: Tent 2, Tuesday the 18th of August, from 15.30 – 16.30

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM...

CULTURE @ COPENHAGEN PRIDE 2020

At Copenhagen Pride 2020, you can look forward to an eclectic culture program which presents something for every taste. For the first time ever Copenhagen Pride are proud to present an independent culture program designed specifically to highlight Denmark’s diverse art scene. The newly established culture group of Pride Copenhagen will present their program in collaboration with many external partners to ensure a diverse and inclusive program which covers everything from literature,

theater, visual arts, movies, and even a live concert with a prominent LGBTI+ popstar. Copenhagen’s vibrant art and culture scenes will come together and create the pinnacle of artistic and cultural expression for 2020. In spite of a challenging year with many unforeseen complications for everyone, Copenhagen Pride 2020 is proud to be presenting the arts to our LGBTI+ community. Here are some of the culture group’s favorite program highlights.

”I’m looking very much forward to UKØN POESI where different artists explore identity, norms and taboos through various expressions performed verbally or physically on stage. All of them inspired by this year’s Pride theme Solidarity. I like art which changes my way of thinking and challenges my view of the world. UKØN POESI will definitely do that!” – Albert Bendix, Head of Culture, Copenhagen Pride

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INSTALLATION & PERFORMANCE

LITERATURE

I am (Love)d is a live art installation presented by the House of International Theatre and artist Delia Trice. The audience will walk through a forest of genealogical trees, collected to represent a wide array of LGBTI+ families. In this forest of relationships, you will find personal stories from invited artists, alongside live performances. Furthermore, the audience will be able to create and add their own family trees to the exhibition. When and Where: Claude Cahun: Tent 3, Monday the 17th of August, from 14.30 – 16.00. Free Entry

A literary conversational salon, where you can join our talkback and meet the authors Line Lybecker, Pernille L. Stenby og Christina E. Ebbesen. The authors write for various audiences in different genres e.g. fantasy for both children and adults, and young adults literature. They all have in common that the LGBTI+ representation plays an important role in their novels. The three authors will discuss representation and diversity in literature for both the young and adults, and read aloud from their own works. In the talkback that follows, the audience get the opportunity to ask questions and join in the conversation. When and Where: Claude Cahun: Tent 3, Monday the 17th of August, from 16.30 – 18.00, Free Entry

FILM

MUSIC

MIX Copenhagen celebrates its 35th anniversary at Copenhagen Pride with a screening of Hella Joof’s movie ‘En Kort En Lang’ starring Charlotte Munck, Mads Mikkelsen, and Troels Lyby. MIX Copenhagen has been arranging annual LGBTI+ film festivals since 1986. The anniversary film will be followed by a short-film series from the Faroe Islands International Minority Film Festival (FIIMFF). When and Where: Cinemateket, Tuesday the 18th of August, En Kort En Lang from 19.15 – 21.00 FIIMFF’s short-film series from 21.45 – 23.15 Purchase tickets at Cinemateket www.cinemateket.dk

As Friday concludes the culture program, the last event is a show stopping intimate concert from the Rainbow Awards winning singer/songwriter Bryan Rice. During the concert Rice will share stories from his life as an international popstar, the ups and downs of his life and career, about being a public LGBTI+ person, and a rainbow family father. Rice will be playing his biggest hits, including: No Promises, Breathing, Homeless Heart and Can’t Say I’m Sorry. During the concert, the audience will have the chance to ask questions and sing along. When and Where: Claude Cahun: Tent 3, Friday the 21st of August, from 19.00-20.00, Free Entry

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JUSTICE FOR ALL CONSENT AND LGBTI+ RIGHTS By Mariya Alfa Staugaard This article discusses sexualized violence

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o matter who you are, and who you are sexually attracted to, the right to a life free from sexualized violence is one of our most basic rights. Rape is a crime that is often described as one of the most violating things a person can be subjected to. But when it comes to legislation, there is not always agreement on how to define the concept. In recent years, there has been an on-going debate in Denmark about whether to amend the existing rape legislation to be based on consent. As the law stands today, the definition of rape is based on whether violence or threats of violence were used in the act. This does not match the reality of many experiences, however, since it is a common reaction for the person to freeze and remain passive during an assault - under the current legislation, such incidents are not addressed as rape and go largely ignored. For years, activists have been fighting to have the law changed, and when Sweden did so in 2018, the issue resurfaced in Denmark with renewed energy. But here we are, two years later, and with an explicit promise from the prime minister to implement the necessary changes, yet the fight is still on-going. In June, minister of justice Nick Hækkerup issued the statement that he was going to take a “thinking break” before continuing the work on the new legislation. In response to this, a Consent Guard, made up of activists, has been standing in front of Christiansborg Castle every day with a clear message: the longer we wait, the more people will be assaulted without having the option of seeking justice.

A straight issue? When discussing rape, the same image tends to form in people’s minds. A dark alleyway. A lone woman walking home. A strange man jumping out of the bushes. The truth is, this

image rarely aligns with the reality of most sexualized assaults. According to The Danish Crime Prevention Council, 67% of all rapes happen in private homes and in most cases the parties know one another, for instance as friends or partners. The image of the male perpetrator and the female victim is not necessarily adequate either. While it is true that this is most often the case, prevention work is made increasingly difficult by not recognizing that assaults happen across the gender spectrum. As a consequence of this, the already slim chances of victims getting legal retribution is reduced even more. Statistics already show that only a fraction of rapes get reported, and only very few of those result in a verdict.

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Ida is a volunteer coordinator for Everyday Sexism Project Denmark and is one of the forces behind the Consent Guard. Ida is an LGBTI+ person herself, and draws attention to the issue of there being so little data available: “We’re sitting in front of Christiansborg with a sign that says ’65 women a day’ and that’s because those are the only statistics we have. I actually think people could be much angrier that there aren’t more surveys to show how many LGBTI+ people experience sexualized assaults. It shows that there’s still marginalization.” Last year, the report SEXUS was published - the largest survey to date on the sexual lives of Danes. It included a section on sexualized violence, which showed that LGBTI+ people are at a high risk of assault and harassment.

Sexualized violence and the LGBTI+ community Percentage of respondents who have experienced at least one assault based on sexual orientation: • • • • • •

Heterosexual men: 1.2% Homosexual men: 7.2% Bisexual men: 8.2% Heterosexual women: 11.4% Homosexual women: 17% Bisexual women: 31%

Source: SEXUS (2019)

Bisexual women are worst off with 31% of the respondents in this category stating that they had experienced sexualized assault at least once. It is happening on a scale that is impossible to ignore, and still we rarely address the special circumstances that can affect the LGBTI+ community. Trans-, homo- and biphobia may very well all play a part in sexualized violence, but we lack the knowledge to map exactly how these forms of discrimination are relevant. Ida’s cousin Tobias is also an LGBTI+ person and has been standing as a Consent Guard, although he has not been active on the issue before. He acknowledges that the heteronormative view of assault does not feel adequate: “You see all these news stories about rape, and the first thing that comes up is ‘x number of women’. But there’s a lot of other people who are exposed to it – and we forget about that.” As a gay man, Tobias has experienced for himself how there can be difficulties in the community when it comes to addressing boundaries: “When I started going to gay bars in Copenhagen, places I thought would be relatively safe, I quickly found out that it was seen as okay for people grab and touch you. And after a couple of times, I started doing it myself. It becomes so normalized, even though it’s definitely not okay.” In addition to encouraging more research, a new law with emphasis on consent is in the direct interest of LGBTI+ people. Mads Hvid, political and strategic advisor for LGBTI+ Denmark asserts that, “consent-based legislation is of immense importance for all parts of the LGBTI+ community. Historically, sexualized violence has been used actively to combat LGBTI+ people and our rights. At the same time, we know that when it comes to reporting hate crimes, many who belong to sexual or gender-based minorities are nervous about reporting and confronting authorities.”

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The implementation of consent-based legislation must also be followed by improved training of police and other institutions, so that the encounter does not become another trauma should a person choose to report.

A collective conversation There are plenty of reasons why the fight for consent-based rape legislation, as well as long term prevention work, is of importance to the LGBTI+ community. The centuries-long marginalization of LGBTI+ sexualities has meant that people who have same-gender sexual relations are not accounted for in the conversation about sexualized assault. That is why it is important to take a collective stand against any form of sexualized violence, both outside and within the community. Ida elaborates on how crucial solidarity is in this context: “I think it is vital to make it a collective process. There is a powerlessness in claiming your boundaries in an environment where being touched is the norm. You feel like you’re risking exclusion – so it has to be a conversation we all have together.” This conversation needs to start at an early age. By putting consent on the agenda and incorporating it into sexual education in schools, we can enable young people to explore their sexuality in ways that do not cross their own boundaries or those of others. Consent-based legislation will show that we, as a society, demand that people ensure their sexual partner(s) are comfortable with what is happening. But if LGBTI+ identities are not actively included in this change, we run the risk of sexualized assault and violence continuing under the radar. Tobias stresses this point: “If we get a consent-based rape legislation, the conversation about consent will follow, because it’ll be something we are taking a stand on.” Including LGBTI+ identities in the fight

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for consent-based legislation is not about removing focus from the fact that sexualized violence often takes place within a heteronormative framework. Instead, it is about expanding the conversation surrounding consent and boundaries to include more people, who will then become conscious of caring for themselves and one another when it comes to sexual experiences. It is also about justice – about feeling sure that should you be the victim of such a heinous crime, you will be met by a justice system that recognizes that rape is not always about the man in the bushes, but happens in many different relations and across the spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation. We will only have justice in earnest when justice is for all of us.

Would you like to know more? Join the debate about consent and LGBTI+ rights during Copenhagen Pride Week 2020, either online or in person. Monday 17th August, 18.00-19.00. Tent 1: David Kato

COPENHAGEN PRIDE WEEK

PROGRAM

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR MAIN SPONSORS

VENUES 1

CLAUDE CAHUN (1894–1954)

MARSHA P. JOHNSON (1945–1992) AND SYLVIA RIVERA (1951–2002)

French photographer, sculptor, and writer. Took the gender-neutral name Claude Cahun in 1917. Cahun’s art, which political as well as personal, purposefully undermined the traditional gender norms. In their autobiography Disavowals, they wrote : “Masculine ? Feminine ? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me.”

Transgender women, self-identified drag queens, and pioneers within the LGBTI+ movement from the late 1960s. Marsha and Sylvia were notable among the rioters at Stonewall in 1969. In 1970, they founded STAR, Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, an organization that worked to support young, homeless drag queens, transgender women, and sex workers.

Cahun died in 1954 from health issues derived from their imprisonment by the Nazis from 1944-1945 and is buried with their partner, Marcel Moore.

Sylvia Rivera died from liver cancer, while Marsha P. Johnson was murdered by unknown assailants during Pride in New York in 1992 and thrown into the Hudson River.

Visit our four pride tents at Copenhagen City Hall Square and at copenhagenpride.dk

DAVID KATO (1964–2011)

FANNYANN EDDY (1974–2004)

Ugandan teacher and LGBTI+ activist, co-founder of SMUG (Sexual Minorities Uganda), and often named as the first openly gay man in Uganda. He worked both nationally and internationally against the anti-LGBTI+ legislation in Uganda and spoke in front of the UN. In 2010, Ugandan magazine Rolling Stone published the names and pictures of over a 100 presumed LGBTI+ Ugandans, under the headline “Hang them”.

Sierra Leonean LGBTI+ activist and confounder of The Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association. Worked nationally and internationally for decriminalization of LGBTI+ people in Sierra Leone and spoke in front of the UN.

Three months later, a man broke into Kato’s home and murdered him with a hammer. He was arrested but claimed that the murder happened because Kato would not pay him for sex. The verdict was 30 years of forced labor for robbery.

FannyAnn Eddy was murdered on October 9th, 2004, when a group of men broke into the office of the association, raped her, stabbed her, and broke her neck. She was survived by a 10-year old son and her girlfriend Esther.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW TENT 1

DAVID KATO PRIDE SQUARE & ONLINE

MONDAY 17/08

TUESDAY 18/08

WEDNESDAY 19/08

12:00–13:00 Queer representation in society

12:00–13:00 LGBTI+ inclusive elder care

12:00–13:00 CBS BA and MA salon

13:30–14:30 Biphobia : An introduction

13:30–14:30 Room for differences : Free Churches/ LGBTI+

13:30–14:30 Pinkwashing : Capitalism vs. activism

15:00–16:00 Is the EU doing enough for LGBTI rights ? Debate with Danish EU parliamentarians

TENT 2

MARSHA P. JOHNSON & SYLVIA RIVERA PRIDE SQUARE & ONLINE

15:00–16:00 Pride : A new people’s religion ?

15:00–16:00 Challenges for bisexual people 16:30–17:30 Look online !

16:30–17:30 Look online !

16:30–17:30 Look online

18:00–19:00 The value of consent–based law

18:00–19:00 LGBTI+ and mental health

19:30–20:30 The fight for rights

19:30–20:30 The Femø Women’s Camp

12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones

12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over– and undertones

14:00–15:00 Conversational salon about life as asexual

14:00–15:00 Norm critical school systems

14:00–15:00 A peek into cruising culture

15:30–16:30 Debate with spokespersons for equality

15:30–16:30 Quality of life and legal gender reassignment

15:30–16:30 LGBTI+ community and global crises

17:00–18:30 Official Opening Reception

17:00–18:30 International perspective : Trans children

19:00–20:00 How do you prove you’re gay ?

19:00–20:00 Norm breakers

18:00–19:00 Trans people’s reproductive rights 19:30–20:30 Callout me maybe ?

17:00–18:30 LGBTI+ in the Danish Realm 19:00–20:00 Women’s love of women 2.0

20.30–21.00 Salmon of the Year

TENT 3

CLAUDE CAHUN PRIDE SQUARE & ONLINE

14:30–16:00 I am (Love)d 16:30–18:00 Conversational salon with LGBTI+ authors 18:30–20:00 The Pride Movement in Europe 20:30–22:00 The Homopoly

TENT 4

FANNYANN EDDY PRIDE SQUARE & ONLINE

12:00–13:30 Schools meeting LGBTI+ youth panel 12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 14:00–15:30 LGBTI+ seniors during the Corona crisis 16:00–17:30 How do we become a family (MtM) ? 18:00–19:30 How do we become a family (FtF) ? 20:00–21:30 Ukøn Poesi – Queer Solidarity

14:30–16:00 Kids’ hour 16:30–18:00 Sabaah’s parents network 18:30–20:00 Pride Monologues 20:30–22:00 Look online ! 12:00–13:30 LGBTI+ knowledge in the healthcare system 12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 14:00–15:30 Nonbinary people’s legal rights

14:30–16:00 A shame it’s art 16:30–18:00 Norm criticism in the LGBTI+ movement 18:30–20:00 Vild Med Svans – Live Podcast 20:30–22:00 Made in Pakistan : Short film

12:00–13:30 Schools meeting young LGBTI+ panel 12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 14:00–15:30 Perfectly unperfect sex #EqualDesire

16:00–17:30 Vaginal sex 101

16:00–17:30 Anal sex : Intimacy, shame, and practicalities

18:00–19:30 BDSM : Sex, consent and boundaries

18:00–19:30 Ask the sexologists

20:00–21:30 Look online !

20:00–21:30 Pride Bingo Extravaganza

FRIDAY 21/08

SATURDAY 22/08

12:00–13:00 Norm critical thinking at work

12:00–13:00 Metronormativity ?

18:30–19:30 Digital Pride Parade

13:30–14:30 Development political spotlight

13:30–14:30 Age, labour market, and LGBTI+

15:00–16:00 What do the politicians do for young people ?

15:00–16:00 LGBTI+ safety at the doctor’s

16:30–17:30 Talk : LGBTI+ in employee networks 18:00–19:00 METUPride and the Turkish LGBTI+ situation 19:30–20:30 Meet the aromantic spectrum

16:30–17:30 A chat with the Minister for Equality 18:00–19:00 Fat and queer – solidarity against fat phobia 19:30–20:00 Erasure of queers with disabilities

12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over– and undertones

14:00–15:00 LGBTI+ health – is it coming ?

14:00–15:00 Discrimination within the LGBTI+ community

15:30–16:30 When Christianity fails 17:00–18:30 Youth political debate : Towards 2021 19:00–20:00 Trans activism across generations

15:30–16:30 Femme, Fabulous, and Male vol. 2 17:00–18:30 Status of Copenhagen 2021 19:00–20:00 Anti LGBTI+ movement in Poland

14:30–16:00 LGBTI+ refugees on the run

14:30–16:00 Diversity and inclusion

16:30–18:00 Danish Prides

16:30–18:00 Sex in the Danish National Church ?

18:30–20:00 Religion and queer well–being : Kenya

19:00–20:00 Bryan Rice : Live & Intimate

20:30–22:00 Queer porn and erotica with MIX CPH

20:30–22:00 ARTEM signature night x Pride

12:00–13:30 Out, Loud and Proud ? LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the workplace

12:00–13:30 Schools meeting LGBTI+ youth panel

12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 14:00–15:30 Fertility treatment and starting a family 16:00–17:30 Top tuned and safe top-op 18:00–19:30 Poly relations 20:00–21:30 FtF conversational salon

12:00–22:00 Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 14:00–15:30 Young in 2020 16:00–17:30 The truth about surrogacy 18:00–19:30 Safespace Pilot project 20:00–21:30 Drag for beginners

WATCH ONLINE

THURSDAY 20/08

19:45–21:45 Digital Pride Show

MONDAY 17/8

MONDAY 12:00–13:00 QUEER REPRESENTATION IN SOCIETY LGBTI+ Youth would like to debate the lack of representation in our society. The debate will focus on how we can all become more inclusive and acknowledge that there are different people in this world. The debate will challenge our possible blindness to our privileges. In order to shed light on the broad spectrum of differences within the LGBTI+ community, we want to challenge the issue presented by one single idea, for example the white homosexual cis man, as a representative for the whole LGBTI+ community. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

12:00–13:30 SCHOOLS MEETING LGBTI+ YOUTH PANEL Pride 2020 invites you to panel discussions with young LGBTI+ persons – aimed at 8.-9. graders and high schoolers. The students will watch the panels during school hours as a live audience or via live streaming. The panellists will begin with a presentation followed by question from and discussions with the students. The event is only for registered schools. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

12:00–22:00 BIMBOS, DIVAS, DARLINGS AND OTHER EXISTENTIAL OVER- AND UNDERTONES Solidarity is about the right to be who you are without being put into boxes that dictate limitations and predictability. It is also about personal freedom and the challenge of making it grow in all relations. Monday through Friday, the exhibition showcases artworks from the artists Anette Andersen and Bjørn Ignatius Øckenholt. All works are independent artworks working as parts of the whole exhibition. Language : Danish. Participants : Anette Andersen and Bjørn Ignatius Øckenholt Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera / Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

13:30–14:30 BIPHOBIA : AN INTRODUCTION Biphobia is still very much present in our community and in big parts of society, so this event invites bi+ people to meet and celebrate all the good things about being attracted to more than one gender. The event will begin with a short introduction to bi+ sexuality and biphobia. Language : English.

doubt many LGBTI+ seniors have stayed and are staying indoors to avoid the virus. This means these elderly are very isolated from their normal community as many have little contact with their families and only few have children. We will discuss how these experiences differ from those of non LGBTI+ elderly. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

14:30–16:00 I AM (LOVE)D What makes us who we are? I am (Love)d is an art installation, in which you will walk through a forest of genealogical trees, collected to represent the wide variety of LGBTQ+ families. In this forest of relationships, you will find personal stories from invited artists and, if you wish, you can add your own tree to the collection. Language : English. Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

15:00–16:00 IS THE EU DOING ENOUGH FOR LGBTI RIGHTS ? DEBATE WITH DANISH EU PARLIAMENTARIANS The rights of LGBTI+ people are under pressure worldwide and also within the EU, where "LGBT free zones" and the fight against "LGBT ideology" are part of the political reality in several member states. Later in the year, the European Commission expects to present an EU strategy for LGBTI+ equality. We have gathered three Danish EU parliamentarians : Asger Christensen (V), Kira Peter-Hansen (SF) and Karen Melchior (R) as well as LGBTI+ Program Manager at Amnesty International, Helle Jacobsen, to hear their views on the matter. Does the EU do enough to protect the rights of LGBTI+ people inside and outside the EU ? How is the European Parliament working to promote LGBTI+ equality ? And what do the three politicians expect from the Commission's strategy on this area ? Language : Danish. Participants : Asger Christensen (V), Kira Peter-Hansen (SF) and Karen Melchior (R) as well as LGBTI+ Program Manager at Amnesty International, Helle Jacobsen Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

15:30–16:30 DEBATE WITH SPOKESPERSONS FOR EQUALITY A debate about the political parties' LGBTI+ political visions and their view on where the fight for rights is today. What part do legislators play and what part do public organisations play ? Language : Danish. Participants : TBA

Participants : TBA

Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

16:00–17:30 HOW DO WE BECOME A FAMILY (MTM) ?

14:00–15:00 CONVERSATIONAL SALON ABOUT LIFE AS ASEXUAL At this panel, you will have the opportunity to hear personal stories and anecdotes about living as asexual in Denmark. A group of asexual people will share their lived experiences to give the audience a more concrete and tangible view of situations, meetings, and thoughts where being asexual is particularly prominent. The conversation will centre on three overarching themes : 1) discovering your asexuality, 2) experiences with sex, and 3) the feeling of being different. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

14:00–15:30 LGBTI+ SENIORS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS Elderly people is the most vulnerable group when it comes to COVID-19 – and the older you are, the more vulnerable you are, which is why there’s no

Do we prefer a rainbow constellation, or do we want to be our own nuclear family? Can you be a single father? What are your rights as a father? Is your child being bullied? What do you do when there is no female role model? Should you be dad and papa? This is a conversational salon about how to create a family for men who have sex with men. Representatives from different types of families will be there to share their experiences along with DARE’s chairperson who can give legal clarification. Language : Danish. Participants : Mikkel Raahede Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

16:30–17:30 WE EXPECT A GREAT EVENT HERE Check online at facebook.com/copenhagenpride. Language : TBA. Participants : TBA Location : Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

MONDAY 17/8

16:30–18:00 CONVERSATIONAL SALON WITH LGBTI+ AUTHORS Meet the authors, Line Lybecker, Pernille L. Stenby, and Christina E. Ebbesen, who write for various audiences in different genres, including fantasy for both children and adults, young adult literature and more. They have all in common that LGBTI+ representation plays an important role in their books. In this conversational salon, the three authors will discuss representation and diversity in children’s and adults’ literature based on their own works. Hear them read aloud from their books and take part in the following Q&A. Language : Danish. Participants : Line Lybecker (publisher from the publishing house Ulven og Uglen and author of the books ”På vej mod Sophie”, ”Mere end veninder” and ”Historien om en dreng”), Pernille L. Stenby (author of the ”Mestenes”-series) and Christina E. Ebbesen (Priest and author of the book series ”Til Aretz’ ende”) Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

17:00–18:30 OFFICIAL OPENING RECEPTION The opening of this year’s Human Rights program/Copenhagen Pride Week 2020 and a sing-along with Copenhagen Pride..Language : Danish. Participants : Lars Henriksen Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

18:00–19:00 THE VALUE OF CONSENT-BASED LAW Although there has been a lot of media coverage about the work around getting a consent-based law approved, the focus has been mainly heteronormative and as such, the LGBTI+ community has been largely left out of the debate. We will include the LGBTI+ community in this discussion about the value of consent-based legislation. Language : Danish. Participants : Kvinfo, Amnesty International, and others Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

18:00–19:30 HOW DO WE BECOME A FAMILY (FTF) ? Should there be a father in the picture ? How involved should he be ? Can a child handle not having a father ? How about double donation ? Can we both access ParentIntra ? What do the other kindergarten children say ? Does the teacher know how to handle it ? This is a conversational salon about how to create a family for women who have sex with women. Representatives from different types of families will be there to share their experiences along with DARE’s chairperson who can give legal clarification. Language : Danish. Participants : Mikkel Raahede Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

18:30–20:00 THE PRIDE MOVEMENT IN EUROPE Pride organisers all around Europe have gathered in the European Pride Organisers Association to work together to enhance visibility and rights for LGBTI+ people. Steve Taylor, board member for EPOA and head of communications for Copenhagen 2021, will talk about EPOA’s influence, the importance of international solidarity, and how the cancellation of different European Prides due to COVID-19 affects our movement. In 2020, it is especially important to stand up to pressure and let our voices be heard. Language : English. Participants : Steve Taylor

Official opening reception with speech by Copenhagen Pride's Chairperson, Lars Henriksen

Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

17. August from 17:00–18:30 Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

Interactive event based on LGBTI+ asylum seekers’ experiences in the Danish asylum system. What happens when LGBTI+ asylum seekers have to prove their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to Immigration Services and the Danish Refugees Appeals Board ? We will include the audience when

Photo by Tobias Jørgensen

19:00–20:00 HOW DO YOU PROVE YOU’RE GAY ?

MONDAY 17/8

representatives from LGBT Asylum asks them some of the questions LGBTI+ asylum seekers are asked when their case is reviewed by the Danish authorities. Could you prove your sexual orientation and/or gender identity ? Language : English. Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

19:30–20:30 THE FIGHT FOR RIGHTS For the last five years, trans people’s right have been on the agenda, and several campaigns have changed societal debates and authorities’ approach to the subject for the better. We are gathering some of the people and organisations who have been part of this fight to talk about what has changed, what is changing and what the fight might look like in the future. We will talk about issues facing trans children, access to healthcare, and the road to recognition of personal choice. Language : Danish. Participants : Helle Jacobsen (campaign lead, Amnesty International), Marie Elisabet Lind-Thomsen (chairperson, FSTB), Lai Christian Balsing (board member, Copenhagen Pride), TransAktion Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

20:00–21:30

The fight for rights 17. August from 19:30–20:30 Tent 1 : David Kato

UKØN POESI – QUEER SOLIDARITY Ukøn Poesi is an open stage which examines identity, norms, and taboos through a variety of poetry and performing arts. At Pride 2020, we examine Queer Solidarity. What is that ?”. Is it legislature ? Rights ? Community ? Is solidarity in the language, the clothes, the body, actions ? What do YOU want to express about queer solidarity ? Ukøn Poesi wishes to create a safe space in which a wide representation of artists can express themselves. You are welcome no matter how you express yourself as queer. Language : Danish. Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

20:30–22:00 THE HOMOPOLY The concept is simple : we’ve gathered a panel consisting of some funny and wise rainbow people who will try to solve your dilemmas. All kinds of dilemmas are welcome in the inbox, big or small, naughty, sad, funny or embarrassing. Aleksander and Josias from the podcast Vild med Svans, will guide us all lovingly through the evening. Language : Danish. Participants : Aleksander and Josias (Podcasters, Vild Med Svans) + TBA Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

TUESDAY 18/8

TUESDAY 12:00–13:00 LGBTI+ INCLUSIVE ELDER CARE Recently we have seen an increase in the number of elderly citizens and subsequently an increase in the number of LGBTI+ elderly in need of care. In this debate, we will talk about how to create inclusive healthcare practices for LGBTI+ elders: What does it take to make elder care inclusive to LGBTI+ people? And is the care sector at all equipped to implement the necessary actions? Language : Danish. Participants : Björgvin Soffiuson (Slottet Care home), Lotte Evron (PH Metropol), Simon Meggers (DUF) Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

12:00–13:30 LGBTI+ KNOWLEDGE IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Copenhagen Pride invites you to a debate about norm critical education of professionals in the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals aren’t yet educated on the specific health challenges that LGBTI+ people face, hence a meeting with the healthcare system can feel transgressive for LGBTI+ people. In this debate, we will talk about the possibilities of increasing healthcare professionals’ knowledge about LGBTI+ people, thus creating a more inclusive healthcare system. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

13:30–14:30 ROOM FOR DIFFERENCES : FREE CHURCHES/LGBTI+ When it’s ‘either/or’, we don’t leave space for differences. Last year, Susanne Branner Jespersen from LGBTI+ Denmark and Mikael Wandt Laursen from FrikirkeNet met at a debate about gender. This led to conversations throughout the year. Hear about their journey, about why we have to leave room for disagreements, and whether there are limits to the mutual recognition. Language : Danish. Participants : Mikael Wandt Laursen (Secretary General, FrikirkeNet) and Susanne Branner Jespersen (Executive Secretary, LGBTI+ Denmark) Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

14:00–15:00 NORM CRITICAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS How do we create better safety and well-being for LGBTI+ students in school? LGBTI+ Youth will give our ideas and talk about what challenges we face in school. You will also have the opportunity to share your experiences and ideas. The Danish school system will be put into an international perspective and we will talk about why Denmark is lagging behind other European countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, and Malta when it comes to LGBTI+ inclusive schooling. Language : Danish.

Norm chritical school systems 18. August from 14:00–15:00 Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

Participants : Three young people from LGBTI+ Youth Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

TUESDAY 18/8

14:00–15:30 NONBINARY PEOPLE’S LEGAL RIGHTS

16:30–17:30 WE EXPECT A GREAT EVENT HERE

We’re lining up a strong panel of non-binary people to discuss the consequences of being nonbinary in a society that is created around binary genders. What challenges do nonbinary people face in the Danish society? What opportunities would arise if nonbinary people were recognised as a third gender? And how far are we from securing rights for nonbinary people in today’s Denmark? Language : Danish.

Check online at facebook.com/copenhagenpride. Language : TBA.

Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

14:30–16:00 KIDS’ HOUR Pride isn’t just an event for adults, which is why we’re inviting you to an hour of family fun for kids. First, we’ll have a singalong with Lise Ellevang on piano, then ‘Drag Queen Story Hour Denmark’ with Dallas King and DiDi Cancerella reading stories. Language : Danish. Participants : Dallas King and DiDi Cancerella (Drag Queen Story Hour Denmark) and Lise Ellevang Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

15:00–16:00 PRIDE : A NEW PEOPLE’S RELIGION ? A pride parade is a public (and loud) celebration of the values that a democracy can’t be without : Tolerance, inclusivity, consideration for others. Collective confirmations of these values are often associated with the concept of a ‘people’s religion’ : Prides celebrate universal values as a public ritual, but they can also cause friction in society. They can be hijacked by businesses and political groups. What will it take to keep Pride as an open public ritual in the future ? Language : English. Participants : Interviewer : Lars Henriksen (Foreperson, Copenhagen Pride), Stefan Schwarzkopf (Associate Professor, Copenhagen Business School), Sine Nørholm Just (Professor, Roskilde University) and Jannick Friis Christensen (PhD Fellow, Copenhagen Business School) Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

15:30–16:30 QUALITY OF LIFE AND LEGAL GENDER REASSIGNMENT In Denmark we use our social security number in many situations, which is why trans children are often confronted with the issue of their legal gender not matching their appearance. This can be embarrassing and humiliating, and it excludes trans children and young people from communities. In 2018, the opportunity for legal gender reassignment for children and young people were a part of the VLAK government’s LGBTI+ action plan. In 2020, children and young people still do not have the possibility of legal gender reassignment. Language : Danish.

Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

16:30–18:00 SABAAH’S PARENTS NETWORK Join us and hear minority ethnic parents and their LGBTI+ children talk about personal considerations and consequences they often face on their way to acceptance and self-acceptance. Language : Danish. Participants : Laeth Shir-Ali, Fadia Ahmad, and others Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

17:00–18:30 INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE : TRANS CHILDREN Trans children’s basic rights is an issued that causes a lot of debate and disagreement worldwide. Some countries are making great advances while others experience more restrictions. Access to medical treatment, legal protection, and freedom of gender expression are hard fought for rights that are easily lost. A panel of international experts on the subject of trans children will discuss and debate the state of things in different countries and try to find out what we can learn from each other. Language : English. Participants : Dr. Annie Pullen Sansfacon, Camilla Vivian, Debi Jackson, Birna Björg Gu∂mundsdóttir, Jo Hirst and Helge Sune Nymand Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

18:00–19:00 LGBTI+ AND MENTAL HEALTH How do we increase the mental well-being and lessen minority stress for LGBTI+ people ? Too many LGBTI+ people struggle with mental health and experience minority stress, which affects all aspects of their life. We will discuss what can be done to improve the work already taking place in this area. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

18:00–19:30 BDSM : SEX, CONSENT, AND BOUNDARIES

Participants : Helle Jacobsen (Programme Lead for gender, women and LGBTI rights, Amnesty International), Helge Sune Nyman (FSTB), Marie Elisabet Lind-Thomsen (FSTB), and various politicians TBA

Let’s talk about (kinky) sex! BDSM relationships require clear communication and trust between all involved, but what does it mean exactly? And how do you live out your fantasies in a safe way while respecting your partner(s)’s boundaries? In this talk, you’ll learn about all the different ways to practice safe sex in a BDSM context, the dos and don’ts, and how to avoid common pitfalls during the act. There will also be time for anonymous questions, so please don’t hold back your questions about BDSM and kink. Language : English.

Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

Participants : TBA

16:00–17:30 VAGINAL SEX 101

Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

In Vaginal Sex 101, norm critical sexologist and midwife Camilla Tved will discuss the vulva and vagina. We will discuss myths, body norms, vagina history – and a whole lot of sex involving vulva and vagina. NB: The event is aimed at anyone with a vagina, regardless of gender. Language : Danish. Participants : Camilla Tved Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

18:30–20:00 PRIDE MONOLOGUES House of International Theatre (HIT) presents a series of staged readings from contemporary, LGBTI+ theatre monologues. Language : English. Participants : TBA Location:Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

TUESDAY 18/8

19:00–20:00 NORM BREAKERS

20:30–22:00 WE EXPECT A GREAT EVENT HERE

We’re gathering a panel that knows what it means to not fit into the norms of gender, body and sexuality, to a discussion about how empowering it is to free yourself of others normative expectations. The panel will talk about when and how a norm breaking existence can be freeing and what it takes to thrive outside others’ norms and expectations. Language : Danish.

Check online at facebook.com/copenhagenpride. Language : TBA.

Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

19:30–20:30 THE FEMØ WOMEN’S CAMP This year, the The Femø Women’s Camp organisation had planned a big 50 year anniversary. Join us and hear why we’re still here. What is it that our women’s community does every year when we set up camp ? For a week, up to 100 women and children create something completely unique with themes like music, feminism, sport, family, creativity and women’s lives in international perspectives. Meet two women from the community. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA

Participants : TBA Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

20:30–21:00 SALMON OF THE YEAR LGBTI+ Denmark is awarding this years Salmon Award. The Salmon is awarded to people, organisations, or others who throughout the year have swum against the current. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

20:00–21:30 WE EXPECT A GREAT EVENT HERE Check online at facebook.com/copenhagenpride. Language : TBA. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

Kids' Hour 18. August from 14:30–16:00 Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

TUESDAY 18/8

OTHER

EVENTS 16:30-18:00 RAINBOW TOUR IN THE TRAIL OF LGBTI+ HISTORY AT ASSISTENS CEMETERY In collaboration with Copenhagen Pride, Copenhagen Cemeteries are offering a free tour focused on more than 200 years of norm breaking sexuality, gender identity, and more. Did you know that the first person to change their gender in Denmark is buried at Assistens Cemetery ? Meet actress Emilie Rosing (1783-1811) who in men's’ clothing and androgynous style became a fashion icon, and the LGBTI+ opponents of the time : the chief of police, the gaol doctor, and the Minister of Justice. There are limited tickets so book in good time at Billetto.dk. Language : Danish. Organisers : Copenhagen Cemeteries

19:15-21:15 MIX COPENHAGEN 35TH ANNIVERSARY FILM This year, MIX COPENHAGEN LGBTI+ film festival celebrates its 35-year anniversary and kicks off the festivities during this year’s Pride. In collaboration with Copenhagen Pride, we are screening the film ‘Shake It All About’ which is part of the Danish queer film legacy that shines with strong performances from Mads Mikkelsen, Troels Lyby, and Charlotte Munck. After the film, the audience is invited to raise a glass of wine with us in the Asta Bar. See you in the dark ! Language : Danish. Organiser : Gintaras Vagelas (MIX Copenhagen) Location : Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, 1123 Copenhagen

Participants : Moderator, Stine Helweg

Additional Information : Buy tickets at www.dfi.dk/cinemateket

Location : Assistens Kirkegård, Kapelvej 2, 2200 Copenhagen

20:00-22:00 RAINBOW DAD BY MIKKEL TRIER RYGÅRD

17:00-19:00 PRIDE RUN COPENHAGEN 2020 – SOCIALLY DISTANCED Pan Idræt & Copenhagen Frontrunners want to mark that there’s only one year until WorldPride and EuroGames 2021 by inviting you, your friends, family and colleagues to take part in this year’s big Pride Run Copenhagen 2020 event. This is a 5k walk and run event that will take you past the most important places for next year’s WorldPride and EuroGames. Anyone can join in. Put on a pair of running shoes or trainers and appropriate clothes. We have guides who will either run slowly or power walk if you prefer to walk the route. Language : Danish. Organiser : Copenhagen Frontrunners Trainer Team Location : Løbsportalen, Regnbuepladsen, 1550 Copenhagen Additional Information : Participation and more precise information by visiting https://bit.ly/2XJfVYx og click ”Deltager”. We'll have a raffle to win a Pride Run t-shirts.

A heart-breaking and grotesquely funny monologue about wanting to be a father as homosexual man. Daydreams meet autofiction, inspired by Mikkel Trier Rygård’s own experiences in Rainbow Land. Language : Danish. Organiser : Royal Danish Theatre Location : Lille Scene, Skuespilhuset, Sankt Annæ Pl. 36, 1250 Copenhagen

21:45-23:15 FIMFF NORDIC SHORT FILM SERIES Faroe Islands International Minority Film Festival (FIMFF) debuted in September 2017 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. The film festival works for inclusion and diversity through film, art and talks. Additionally, they host ‘Drag Academy’, ‘Film lab’ and a youth program for students in year 8-10. At Copenhagen Pride Week 2020, FIMFF, with MIX COPENHAGEN and Copenhagen Pride, will show a series of new and previously shown short films. Language : Nordic films with English subtitles Organisers : Nadia Abraham (FIMFF) & Gintaras Vagelas (MIX COPENHAGEN) Location : Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, 1123 Copenhagen Additional Information : Buy tickets at www.dfi.dk/cinemateket

Pride Run Copenhagen 2020 – socially distanced 18. August from 17:00–19:00 Løbsportalen, Regnbuepladsen, 1550 Copenhagen V

Foto af Carsten Lind

WEDNESDAY 19/8 14/8

WEDNESDAY 12:00–13:00 CBS BA AND MA SALON Amongst the BA and MA theses at Copenhagen Business School, there is research done by people without financial bias and with a passion for their subject. This is why we’ve created the CBS BA and MA salon where students can present their theses focused on subjects like LGBTI+, pride and diversity. Prepare yourself to be challenged on what you think you know. The goal is to educate and inspire broadly held opinions and assumptions from an academic perspective. Language : English. Participants : Students and two moderators from CBS Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

12:00–22:00 BIMBOS, DIVAS, DARLINGS, AND OTHER EXISTENTIAL OVER- AND UNDERTONES Solidarity is about the right to be who you are without being put into boxes that dictate limitations and predictability. It is also about personal freedom and the challenge of making it grow in all relations. Monday through Friday, the exhibition showcases artworks from the artists Anette Andersen and Bjørn Ignatius Øckenholt. All works are independent artworks working as parts of the whole exhibition. Language : Danish. Participants : Anette Andersen and Bjørn Ignatius Øckenholt Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera / Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

13:30–14:30 PINKWASHING : CAPITALISM VS. ACTIVISM How do you act politically and as an activist in a capitalistic society? Is it possible to balance the need for money with your political goals? Should organisations show solidarity with smaller or other LGBTI+ organisations when applying for funds and grants? Pink washing has been debated before, but it is only one of many intersections between capitalism and activism. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

14:00–15:00 A PEEK INTO CRUISING CULTURE Are you curious about cruising culture? Perhaps you’re new in the cruising community and want some useful insider knowledge? Or maybe you’d just like to know more about what it means to cruise? Then join us and experience Søren P. Rasmussen in full BLUF (Breeches, Leather, Uniform Fanclub) talk about the excitement, the hunt, the unexpected, the surprises, and the pleasure of cruising. Language : Danish. Participants : Søren P. Rasmussen (SLM Copenhagen) Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

14:00–15:30 PERFECTLY UNPERFECT SEX #EQUALDESIRE

Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 17. – 21. August from 12:00 – 22:00 Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera / Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

Is dating possible if you have a disability? Do you hide your disability on the first date? How do you get help for sex? Can you have children? Do you want children? Can you be bisexual? Do you have a sexuality at all? SUMH (the Association of Young people with Disabilities) will shine a light on sexuality and 49

WEDNESDAY 19/8

disabilities. You’ll have the opportunity to go on a date with a person with a disability and perhaps get answers to some of your questions and prejudices. Hear about perfectly unperfect sex and let yourself be challenged in your idea of the body by a young person with a disability. Language : Danish. Participants : Marie My (Project worker, SUMH), Volunteers in SUMH, and others Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

14:30–16:00 A SHAME IT’S ART Sabaah and the AIDS Foundation have asked some of Denmark’s best writers and cultural personalities to explore the idea of ‘shame’ in their art. They have worked with different kinds of shame. Through readings as a panel, they will take turns reading extracts of their own works, and then discuss the effect of shame on their art, the society, and the individual. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

15:00–16:00 CHALLENGES FOR BISEXUAL PEOPLE Project SEXUS clearly shows that bisexual/pansexual/fluid/biromantic etc people are at higher risks of developing physical and mental vulnerabilities. But why? And how do we make the future less risky for bi+ people? This is a panel discussion with representatives of different perspectives. Language : Danish. Participants : Nina Lildal-Schrøder and others Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

15:30–16:30 LGBTI+ COMMUNITY AND GLOBAL CRISES A debate about the effect of global crisis, such as COVID-19, on the LGBTI+ community in the Global South where LGBTI+ people are marginalised, persecuted, and discriminated against. How does a complete lockdown affect communities where most people are living hand to mouth? How can LGBTI+ people get medical help during COVID-19 when they are already denied access to the healthcare system? Language : English.

17:00–18:30 LGBTI+ IN THE DANISH REALM In collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights), Humanity in Action Denmark are arranging an event focused on LGBTI+ rights and conditions in the Danish Realm. We will involve experts on the subject who will outline the general rights and conditions for LGBTI+ people in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Additionally, we are inviting young activists from these countries’ communities to tell us about their activism, conditions, and opportunities. Language : English. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

18:00–19:00 TRANS PEOPLE’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS Despite great advances for trans rights in the last few years, Denmark is still lagging in a lot of ways. Especially when it comes to trans gender and gender diverse people’s reproductive rights. Whether it’s fertilisation of eggs between partners or being registered under the right gender on the child’s birth certificate, there are still legal battles to win. We will debate the issue with fertility experts and policy makers as well as with a trans gender parent. Language : English. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

18:00–19:30 ASK THE SEXOLOGISTS Clinical sexologists from the Danish Association for Clinical Sexology offer their time and knowledge to answer your questions about sexology. The sexologists will start by answering some of the most common questions they get when doing consultations. The audience will be invited to take part, but you can write down your questions beforehand and they will be asked anonymously. Language : Danish. Participants : Clinical sexologists from the Danish Association for Clinical Sexology Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

Participants : Representatives from the AIDS Foundations, DFPA and Amnesty International

18:30–20:00 VILD MED SVANS – LIVE PODCAST

Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

Experience Aleksander and Josias when they go live during Copenhagen Pride Week. They’ll talk the shame out of all the things we’ve spent most of our lives trying to repress. They’ll dive deep into private and personal experiences and will take a look at the world around them through rainbow glasses. They will share vulnerable moments, discussions, and tears, but also laughter, tenderness and obscure pop culture references to find a balance between the unfairness – and completely fabulousness – of being born a great big fag! Language : Danish.

16:00–17:30 ANAL SEX : INTIMACY, SHAME, AND PRACTICALITIES At this workshop about anal sex, we will talk about practicalities around anal sex, but also focus on shame and intimacy. Why are bottoms shamed? How do you talk about anal sex and how do you feel safe in the intimacy? The workshop will be led by Tonny Bønløkke. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

16:30–18:00 NORM CRITICISM IN THE LGBTI+ MOVEMENT The Norm Stormers have worked norm critically with anti-discrimination and anti-bullying in schools since 2012. Back then, norm criticism was a niche perspective that only few people worked with. This has changed and norm criticism is now a central perspective and goal for the LGBTI+ movement in Denmark. What do LGBTI+ activists think it means to work norm critically and how do we avoid watering down norm criticism? This is what we will discuss with LGBTI+ activists who work norm critically. Language : Danish. Participants : LGBTI+ aktivists working with norm criticism Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

Participants : Aleksander and Josias (Podcasters, Vild Med Svans) Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

19:00–20:00 WOMEN’S LOVE OF WOMEN 2.0 The history about love between women will continue where we left off this winter. This time, we’ll focus on the 1970s Redstockings and the Lesbian Movement based on Pernille Ipsen’s current book 'Et Åbent Øjeblik'. Ipsen will talk about the thoughts of the time, rebellions and tolerance based on her own experience growing up with seven communal mothers who were all active in the women’s movement of the time. Language : Danish. Participants : Pernille Ipsen (Author, ”Et Åbent Øjeblik”) Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

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WEDNESDAY 19/8

19:30–20:30 CALLOUT ME MAYBE ?

20:30–22:00 MADE IN PAKISTAN : SHORT FILM

When is it okay to call someone out (point out someone’s problematic opinions) on statements that can be seen as offensive, libellous, or fundamentally wrong? Language : Danish.

‘Made in Pakistan’ is a short film promoting independent film makers from Pakistan. Every year, Aks International Minorities Festival chooses a collection of short films by or about trans and queer people from Pakistan and it is shown internationally. The motivation behind the programme is not only to promote queer film art from Pakistan but also to create visibility and tell stories about life as queer or trans in Pakistan. Language : English.

Participants : Laeth Shir-Ali, Nafisa Fiidow, and others Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

Participants : Saadat Munir, Waqas Azis and Sarmad Khoosat

20:00–21:30 PRIDE BANKO EXTRAVAGANZA

Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

Social distancing has never kept a drag queen from grabbing her balls! True to tradition, Copenhagen Pride is collaborating with some of the naughtiest and most beautiful queens north of the Alps at the bi-annual event: PRIDE BINGO EXTRAVAGANZA. Join Chantal al Arab and her sisters for a bingo night you will never forget – even if you wanted to! The game will be conducted in English. Language : English. Participants : Chantal Al Arab Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

OTHER

EVENTS 14:00 – 15:00 COVID-19 – AN EXCUSE TO VIOLATE LGBTI+ PEOPLE ?

17:30 – 19:00 EXPERIENCES FROM QUEER STARTUPS

At this webinar, we will discuss how police and courts in Uganda have used COVID-19 as an excuse to illegally arrest and imprison 20 LGBTI+ people. These 20 people ended up being imprisoned for 50 days without access to lawyers, vital medicine, etc. Some of Uganda’s leading activists will present the case and explain how, despite much opposition, they managed to get the 20 LGBTI+ people released. Language : English.

What barriers, challenges, and norms do queer start-ups experience in a time with increased focus on sustainability, inclusion, and entrepreneurship in Denmark? Join us when DISIE and DareGender invite us to a panel discussion focused on experiences from queer start-ups. We’ll talk about the challenges entrepreneurs face when trying to gain access to markets, and how to handle additional barriers to establishing a start-up as a minority who does not conform to standards of gender and/or sexuality. Language : Danish.

Organisers : Sex & Samfund and Parliament's cross-political Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Organisers : DISIE (Danish Institute for Sustainable Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and DareGender

Participants : Adrian Jjuuko (Solicitor and leader of Ugandan Human Rights Organisation HRAPF) and Frank Mugisha (leader of Ugandan umbrella organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda)

Location : DISIE, Volume, Enghavevej 80C, 2450 Copenhagen

Location : Online webinar

Additional information : Write to Lisbet Dinsen at ld@sexogsamfund.dk to receive an invitation to the webinar.

15:00 – 16:30 DIVERSITY IN SUSTAINABLE STARTUPS What does diversity mean for a sustainable future and sustainable entrepreneurs? Why is it important to have a sustainable focus on diversity in startups? And why is diversity especially important when creating professional, positive change? Take part in the panel discussion when DISIE and DareGender discuss the importance of diversity in start-ups. The debate will be based on the panellists’ insight into and focus on the sustainability of diversity and inclusion. With the panel, we will try to shed light on and dismantle some of the barriers created by a society full of conscious and unconscious standards for gender and diversity. Language : Danish. Organisers : DISIE (Danish Institute for Sustainable Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and DareGender Location : DISIE, Volume, Enghavevej 80C, 2450 Copenhagen

20.00–22.00 RAINBOW DAD /BY MIKKEL TRIER RYGÅRD

Organiser : Royal Danish Theatre Location : Lille Scene, Skuespilhuset, Sankt Annæ Pl. 36, 1250 Copenhagen

THURSDAY 20/8

THURSDAY 12:00–13:00 NORM CRITICAL THINKING AT WORK

13:30–14:30 DEVELOPMENT POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT

Do you want to create a more diverse and inclusive working environment but don’t know where to start? Join us and hear anthropologist Elin Ferm from the equality consultant business NORM give an introduction to norm critical thinking and how it can be used in an organisational context in order to turn good intention into real change. Language : English.

What does Denmark do in its development political work for LGBTI+ people? When compared to Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands’ development political ventures in their own societies, it looks like Denmark has chosen a different strategy – investing in international mechanisms. What is the basis of this venture and where does Denmark want to go in the long run in terms of development political engagements? Language : English.

Participants : Elin Ferm (anthropologist, NORM) Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

12:00–13:30 OUT, LOUD AND PROUD ? – LGBTQIA+ INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE What does it mean to bring your whole self to work ? What does it take to be an inclusive leader, colleague, team, organization ? The workshop will offer best practice in the field, and will be based on the participants' own experiences and challenges. Language : English. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

Participants : Rasmus Prehn, Susanne Branner Jespersen, Line Brøgger Kjeldgaard and Jacqueline Bryld Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

14:00–15:00 LGBTI+ HEALTH – IS IT COMING ? Checkpoint and Huset for Køn, Krop og Seksualitet are a response to the established healthcare system and they offer safe healthcare for LGBTI+ people. But do these targeted healthcare systems serve LGBTI+ people adequately? Or are there other areas that have been missed? Have a listen when professionals look at the challenges faced by the target group and join the discussion when we look at the need for new efforts to secure better living conditions for LGBTI+ people. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

14:00–15:30 FERTILITY TREATMENT AND STARTING A FAMILY Starting a family as an LGBTI+ person involves a lot of challenges, and it can be difficult to navigate a system that prefers to play family with a mum, dad and kids. Norm critical midwife Camilla Tved will talk us through the central issues of the process: legislation, fertility treatment, social challenges, and what it’s like to start a family when you don’t see yourself reflected in others and are too visible and invisible at the same time. Questions and dialogue are encouraged. Language : Danish.

Bimbos, Divas, Darlings and other existential over- and undertones 17. – 21. August from 12:00 – 22:00 Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera / Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

THURSDAY 20/8

Participants : Camilla Tved

best practices. Language : English.

Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

Participants : Interviewer : Jannick Friis Christensen (PhD fellow, Copenhagen Business School), Dr. Anna Einarsdottir (Senior Lector, The York Management School, University of York) and Ulla Dalsgaard (Nordic Learning Partner at IBM, and Founder of the Danish LGBT Business Network)

14:30–16:00 LGBTI+ REFUGEES ON THE RUN How can Denmark take responsibility for LGBTI+ refugees on the run? LGBT Asylum receives inquiries from LGBTI+ people all around the world who have fled from their country of origin due to their sexuality and/or gender identity, and are now living in local communities. The stories and cries for help that LGBT Asylum receives all point to one thing: LGBTI+ refugees are not safe in the local communities either. We will focus on Denmark’s responsibility. What about quota refugees and where do we have to do more? Language : English. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

15:00–16:00 WHAT DO THE POLITICIANS DO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ? Young LGBTI+ people have lower well-being, quality of life, and higher rates of loneliness than young cis hetero people. So how will the politicians create better well-being and more security for young LGBTI+ people in Denmark? That’s the question we’ll try to answer. We will look at what the government is currently doing and what new efforts they are planning. We will ask the politicians where they believe we need to act to create more well-being and safety for young LGBTI+ people in Denmark. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

15:30–16:30 WHEN CHRISTIANITY FAILS For centuries, Christianity has misinterpreted people’s views on gender and sexuality, which has had serious consequences with people being imprisoned, tortured, and burned at the stake. Today, thousands of LGBTI+ people are experiencing discrimination and persecution all over the world. Christian opponents to LGBTI+ rights quote the bible. But you can’t blame the bible. The actual problem is mistranslations. All modern English translations of the bible should be revised. Language : English. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

16:00–17:30 TOP TUNED AND SAFE TOP-OP Are you considering top-op (mastectomy) and do you want to know more about what it means and what experiences others have had before, during, and after? We’ve gathered a small panel of nonbinary persons and trans men who have had surgery in different places around the world. You’ll be able to ask questions, which will hopefully make you feel safer. NB: This is an exchange of experiences, not a medical panel. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

16:30–17:30 TALK : LGBTI+ IN EMPLOYEE NETWORKS Can you use an LGBTI+ employee network for more than sharing good food and venting your grievances? Two experts are interviewed about the merits of these networks that are often criticised for having minimal influence on the improvement of working conditions for minorities. The networks often evolve into separate units that are excluded from other institutions. On the other hand, they can empower the diversity that would otherwise be cowed by more dominant workplace culture. We will discuss pros and cons as well as

Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

16:30–18:00 DANISH PRIDES The number of Prides in Denmark is increasing: Nørrebro, Odense, Fanø, Kolding, Aarhus, Viborg, Pride i Vest, Aalborg and København. Pride is a human rights demonstration for equal rights and social acceptance. Has Denmark reached the goal or are there still battles to fight? Have we sold out on the values behind Pride and lost focus? And what is the future for Danish prides? Experience a discussion with panellists form different Danish prides. Language : Danish. Participants : Lars Henriksen (Copenhagen Pride), Martin Christensen (Aalborg Pride), Cecilie Rymer, (Kolding Pride), Christina Exner (Fanø Pride), Mona Linaa (Aarhus Pride), Edgar Anderson (Viborg Pride). Moderator : Michael Bager (Copenhagen Pride) Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

17:00–18:30 YOUTH POLITICAL DEBATE : TOWARDS 2021 Next year, Copenhagen Pride is hosting WorldPride, which is why we have invited Parliament’s youth parties to a debate about political approached on the LGBTI+ area before Copenhagen 2021. We’ll talk about where Denmark is in terms of LGBTI+ rights, and how LGBTI+ people’s living conditions in Denmark can be improved. Will WorldPride in Copenhagen give us an opportunity to create more political awareness of LGBTI+ issues? Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

18:00–19:00 METUPRIDE AND THE TURKISH LGBTI+ SITUATION In 2019, nineteen LGBTI+ activists were put on trial in Ankara, accused of ‘breaching the assembly ban’ because they had partaken in an LGBTI+ Pride March at the Middle East Technical University. Police dispersed the crowds with pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets. Melike Balkan fra METU LGBTI+ Solidarity and Öykü Sidem Aydın, foreperson in the Ankara Bar Association’s group for LGBTI+ rights, will talk about the LGBTI+ situation in Turkey, about the METU case and how we, as an international community, can help. Language : English . Participants : Melike Balkan [they/them] (METU LGBTI+ Solidarity) and Öykü Sidem Aydın [they/them] (Foreperson, Ankara Bar Association’s group for LGBTI+ rights) Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

18:00–19:30 POLY RELATIONS What happens when we let go of the idea that monogamy is the only correct way of loving? How can you learn to appreciate different kinds of love, deconstruct jealousy, and question your assumptions and expectations of romantic relations? Is a partner always the most important relation in our life? Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

THURSDAY 20/8

OTHER

EVENTS 18:30–20:00 RELIGION AND QUEER WELL-BEING : KENYA

17:00–20:30 THE PRIDE OF THE GLYPTOTEK

The interaction between religion, LGBTI+ rights and LGBTI+ people’s mental health plays a big part in a queer person’s quality of life. ‘Bridges of Love Alliance’ in Kenya builds bridges between queer identities, religion, and religious leaders. We will discuss how the alliance integrates these worlds in spite of taboo. We’ll explore why this unusual alliance is important in the fight for equality and the challenges arise, and we’ll show the participants how it works. Language : English.

Explore a world of divine ferocity, diverse love stories and norm-breaking family structures when the Glyptotek invites you to this year’s Pride. This evening, you will meet, among others, the polyamorous Dionysus, the asexual Athena, the seductive Pan, Aphrodite with her two fathers, and the hermaphroditic sphinx. Language : Danish.

Participants : Pastor Grace Wangechi Ngotho, Benjamin Wambua Kioko (gay activist) and Sylvia Atieno Otieno (lesbian artist)

Location : Glyptoteket, Dantes Plads 7, 1556 Copenhagen

Organiser : Glyptoteket

Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

20:00–22:00 RAINBOW DAD BY MIKKEL TRIER RYGÅRD

19:00–20:00 TRANS ACTIVISM ACROSS GENERATIONS

As trans people, we should have access to our history, to know the fight that trans people before us have fought, and to learn from history and each other. This talk will be about trans activism that stretches over more than three decades. How has trans identity been defined and expressed through time? What are the similarities between the challenges we’ve faced? How has cis allyship evolved? And what can we learn by sharing our experiences across generations? Language : English.

Organiser : Royal Danish Theatre Location : Lille Scene, Skuespilhuset, Sankt Annæ Pl. 36, 1250 Copenhagen

Participants : Elizabeth Japsen, Ferndan Milán, Elias Magnild and Nico Miskow Friborg Location:Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

19:30–20:30 MEET THE AROMANTIC SPECTRUM A lot of people have heard about asexuality, but meeting people who don’t see themselves in romantic relations, romcoms, and the eternal search for the one and only can still cause confusion and mistrust. The Asexual Association Denmark will shed light on the term ‘aromantic’ and the difference between asexuality and aromanticism. Meet a panel of aromantics with different sexual orientations and hear about their experiences, their attitude toward romance, dating, and society’s focus on the one and only. Language : Danish. Participants : Asexual Association Denmark Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

20:00–21:30 FTF CONVERSATIONAL SALON In this conversational salon, we’ll focus on what it means to be a woman who likes women. The panel will start by sharing their own stories, and the audience is invited to ask questions, share experiences, and put into words the thoughts you have when you’re KtK. It might be about sexual health, taboo, shame, prejudices about sex drive or experiences of invisibility. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

20:30–22:00 QUEER PORN AND EROTICA WITH MIX CPH It can be difficult to navigate the porn jungle of the internet, especially for queer people. So we’ve invited MIX COPENHAGEN to talk about queer porn and erotica. What makes this genre or porn special? Every year, MIX COPENHAGEN presents a sex-positive and diverse queer short film programme called ‘This Is How We Do It’, which informs, entertains, and excites. At this year’s Copenhagen Pride Week, MIX COPENHAGEN will talk about their work with representation, sexuality, and gender in queer porn. Language : Danish. Participants : MIX COPENHAGEN Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

Pride at Glyptoteket 20. August from 17:00–20:30 Glyptoteket, Dantes Plads 7, 1556 Copenhagen

FRIDAY 21/8

FRIDAY 12:00–13:00 METRONORMATIVITY ?

we’re still lacking in diversity in Denmark. You’ll be able to ask the panel questions and get advice on life as a young LGBTI+ person. Language : Danish.

LGBT+ Denmark focuses on the amazing LGBTI+ work and activism that is happening outside the capital and we’ll talk about how to make life good for LGBTI+ people outside the big cities. Language : Danish.

Participants : TBA

Participants : LGBT+ Denmark

14:30–16:00 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

13:30–14:30 AGE, LABOUR MARKET, AND LGBTI+ A group of middle-aged and elderly LGBTI+ people have experienced challenges when looking for a job, or have experienced discrimination in their jobs, which have led to being let go or quitting. They will share a selection of their personal experiences and thoughts on these experiences and invite you to ask questions, comment, and contribute with your own experiences. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

14:00–15:00 DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE LGBTI+ COMMUNITY Discrimination within the LGBTI+ community is a consistent problem. How are society’s discrimination and phobias reflected in the LGBTI+ community, and how does ethnicity and status factor in? Hear from LGBTI+ people from both minority and majority positions as they share their experiences with discrimination and phobias. What challenges do they face in the night life and in romantic relations? And how are power dynamics expressed when it comes to ethnicity and asylum, refugee and citizen status? Language : English . Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

14:00–15:30 YOUNG IN 2020 Are you interested in life as a young LGBTI+ person in 2020, then join us and hear different young people talk about their lives. You’ll learn about life as a young person and what it’s like to break the norms of gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexuality in 2020. Together they will give reasons why

Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

Diversity is messy, challenging, and essential. Additionally, diversity is also an essential reality. Diversity without inclusion will most likely end in complete chaos. Let’s explore how the movement and flexibility of inclusivity can help us reap the rewards of diversity. Language : English . Participants : Deepak Kashyap [he/him] (Councillor/therapist, and diversity and inclusion expert) Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

15:00–16:00 LGBTI+ SAFETY AT THE DOCTOR’S As an LBGTI+ person, seeing the doctor can be a challenge. You might experience that the doctor doesn’t know enough about LGBTI+ health or that the doctor either overlooks or hyperfocuses on your LBGTI+ identity. This means that many LGBTI+ people use the healthcare system less than the rest of the population – and this creates an inequality in health. We will ask what doctors can do to create more inclusive practices. How can you, as an LGBTI+ person feel more at ease going to the doctor? Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

15:30–16:30 FEMME, FABULOUS, AND MALE VOL. 2 We continue to explore femininity in men through conversations between airy-fairy, femme, feminine, and eccentric men. Being feminine as a man largely has negative connotations, which is why we want to explore and celebrate femme guys; when are you most comfortable, where do you buy stilettos in all sizes, and how much glitter is too little glitter? We’ll continue and expand the conversation from Winter Pride 2020. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

16:00–17:30 THE TRUTH ABOUT SURROGACY There are still many misunderstandings about surrogacy. Is it human trafficking? Oppression of women? Designer children? How does the surrogate feel? How are the children? Is it illegal? Here you’ll get all the answers. Whether you’re for or against surrogacy, we encourage you to join us and ask questions. The panel will consist of a former surrogate mother, a teenager with two fathers and the foreperson of DARE. Language : Danish. Participants : Mikkel Raahede and Louise Traberg Smidt Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

16:30–17:30 A CHAT WITH THE MINISTER FOR EQUALITY We’ll have a chat with the Minister for Equality about the Social Democratic government’s LGBTI+ visions. What happens when the former government’s action plan runs out in 2021 and what new actions can we expect to see from the Minister for Equality? Language : Danish. Participants : Mogens Jensen Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

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FRIDAY 21/8

16:30–18:00 SEX IN THE DANISH NATIONAL CHURCH ?

19:00–20:00 ANTI LGBTI+ MOVEMENT IN POLAND

Clinical sexologist Tonny Bønløkke Hertz meets with two pastors from the Danish National Church and talks to them about guilt, shame, and sex. Language : Danish.

In 2019 it was reported that several places in Poland had introduced so-called ‘LGBTI+ free zones’ with support from extreme-right groups. This has had massive consequences for the country’s LGBTI+ people who are facing political opposition as well as societal condemnation. Hear Polish scientists and activists from Warsaw and Lublin talk about their experiences and the continued fight for equal rights. Language : English.

Participants : Tonny Bønløkke Hertz and others Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

17:00–18:30 STATUS ON COPENHAGEN 2021 In a year, Copenhagen Pride and Pan Idræt (sports) will host WorldPride and EuroGames in Copenhagen – and we’re definitely not the only ones excited to experience Copenhagen 2021! As a prelude to the giant event next year, we’ve invited the Directors for human rights, culture and sports to talk about their plans. Language : Danish and English. Participants : Ayhan Can (Director of Sports, Copenhagen 2021), Aron LeFevre (Director of Human Rights, Copenhagen 2021) and Sasha Carlson (Coordinator of Culture, Copenhagen 2021) Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

18:00–19:00 FAT AND QUEER – SOLIDARITY AGAINST FAT PHOBIA We want to talk about one of the blind spots in the rainbow solidarity, obesity. Body shaming is alive and well in the Danish LGBTI+ community and life as a double minority means more challenges. The fight against fat phobia is a lot like the fight against homophobia and transphobia, so how do we create a common solidarity? What structural challenges are you faced with as a fat LGBTI+ person? How can we support each other and create safety and inclusion for fat people? Language : Danish.

Participants : Katarzyna Malinowska, Alicja Sienkiewicz, Nina Matusik, Dawid Wojtyczka and Julia Maciocha Location : Tent 2 : Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

19:30–20:30 ERASURE OF QUEERS WITH DISABILITIES The LGBTI+ community prides itself by being open and accessible for all, but the reality is that when it comes to LGBTI+ people with disabilities, we are often overlooked. Descriptions of events rarely include information about venue accessibility, and if it they do, it’s often because people with crip experiences have pointed it out. It is not actively considered how to avoid reproducing ableist structures that make it unsafe for queers with disabilities to join. Language : English. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

20:00–21:30 DRAG FOR BEGINNERS

Participants : TBA

We’re repeating the success of Drag for Beginners! Are you crazy about drag as well? Then join us and create your own drag persona. Do you want to be transformed or transform yourself? This time you’ll be able to do your own makeup while some of Copenhagen’s most popular drag queens speak. Bring your own makeup and mirror. Chaired by Chantal al Arab. Language : English.

Location : Tent 1 : David Kato

Participants : Chantal al Arab

18:00–19:30 SAFESPACE PILOT PROJECT

Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

In this presentation, Camilla Tved, Amalie Otkjær and Charlie Hedman from 'Huset for Køn, Krop & Seksualitet' explore what the ‘Saferspace’ conversation package for trans and nonbinary people contains, and why it is important that we have an offer for conversations outside of 'Center for Kønsidentitet'. There will be examples of how the conversation package can be used and what the different parts of the package contains. The panellists will also talk about the preliminary experiences with the project. Language : Danish. Participants : Camilla Tved (midwife & sexologist), Amalie Otkjær (Psychologist) og Charlie Hedman (Psychologist) – all from Huset for Køn, Krop & Seksualitet

20:30–22:00 ARTEM SIGNATUR NIGHT X PRIDE This evening gives space and time to young queers, and will feature three artists from the LGBTI+ community. ARTEM creates cross-artistic experiences and is a platform for unestablished artists to share their works. Language : Danish. Participants : TBA Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

Location : Tent 4 : FannyAnn Eddy

19:00–20:00 BRYAN RICE : LIVE & INTIMATE An intimate concert with the Rainbow Award winning singer-songwriter Bryan Rice. Bryan will tell stories from his life as an international pop singer, the ups and downs of his life and career, about being a public LGBTI+ person, and a rainbow family father. He will perform his greatest hits, such as the evergreen ‘No Promises’, the Eurovision runner-up ‘Breathing’, ‘Homeless Heart’, ‘Can’t Say I’m Sorry’ and those of his songs that give thoughts for reflection. You will get the chance to ask questions and sing along. Language : Danish. Participants : Bryan Rice Location : Tent 3 : Claude Cahun

OTHER

EVENTS 20:00–22:00 RAINBOW DAD BY MIKKEL TRIER RYGÅRD A heart-breaking and grotesquely funny monologue about wanting to be a father as homosexual man. Daydreams meet autofiction, inspired by Mikkel Trier Rygård’s own experiences in Rainbow Land. Language : Danish. Organiser : Royal Danish Theatre Location : Lille Scene, Skuespilhuset, Sankt Annæ Pl. 36, 1250 Copenhagen

SATURDAY 22/8

DIGITAL

PRIDE PARADE

PRIDE SHOW

18:30-19:30 DIGITAL COPENHAGEN PRIDE PARADE 2020

19:45-21:45 COPENHAGEN PRIDE SHOW 2020

No gatherings ? No problem ! Even though we won’t be able to have the iconic parade through the streets the way we know and love, we’re proud to have found a digital solution that will be both festive, educational, and inspiring – and which will also focus on some of the important things that have led to the need for a pride march. Language : Danish / English.

This year we’re once again turning it up on the Saturday night – this time in a completely unique way that will keep your eyes on the screen and leave you speechless. Like everything else, the Pride Show has gone digital : We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Denmark’s first XR experience. XR stands for eXtended Reality and will combine show, people, and technology into one total experience. Language : Danish / English.

Participants : Activists, organisations, companies, politicians, the general public, and many, many more. Location : Watch the parade at www.copenhagenpride.dk

Hosts : Mai Simón Lifschitz, Veninderne (Chantal Al Arab, Jumbo Jette, Nicholas Nybro, Athena Lady) and Megan Moore Location : Watch the Copenhagen Pride Show at www.copenhagenpride.dk

0 2 0 2 L IN

TA I G I D E IS

D A R A THE P

OTHER

VISIT

PRIDE STORE

AT PRIDE SQUARE

OR VISIT OUR WEBSHOP Get CPH Pride x Mads NĂ¸rgaard Pride Wear, flags, pins, and support wristbands at Copenhagen Pride's shop at Copenhagen City Hall Square from 17.â&#x20AC;&#x201C;21. August 2020 or visit our webshop at miinto.dk. All or parts of the proceeds go to Copenhagen Pride.

More info at copenhagenpride.dk. A

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE EVERY DAY THE GREATEST PRIDE IN SOLIDARITY WITH EACH OTHER: THIS IS PROBABLY HOW MOST PRIDES HAVE COME INTO BEING. BUT IMAGINE IF PRIDES WERE NOT NEEDED AND THAT EVERY DAY SIMPLY HAD ROOM FOR US ALL? By Martin Fyn Aamand, co-founder of Aarhus Pride

he universal and daily struggle for LGBTI+ peoples’ equal rights and opportunities has resulted in rainbow-coloured parades blossoming like flowers in every corner of the world. Even in places where the soil hasn’t yet been fertilised. The tradition stretches back to 1969 when pioneers of the LGBTI+ community took up the fight against the discriminatory actions of the New York Police Department. On the same date the following year, 28th June 1970, the first Christopher Street Liberation Day march was organised. In Germany and Switzerland,

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many Prides are still called CSD (short for Christopher Street Day), named after that first parade.

Nothing new under the rainbow So, colourful parades with room for both celebration and demonstration are old news. What is new is the number of LGBTI+ people in other cities who’ve thought: So ein Ding müssen wir auch haben (We have to have something like that too). In 2010, I was part of the initiative to start Aarhus Pride, which came to fruition the following year. Since then, several other places in Denmark have been fortunate enough to host their own Pride parade, among them Aalborg, Fanø, and Gesten (the last one I have had the good fortune of participating in myself). What many of these events have in common – whether they have been a permanent or a one-time event (so far), is that the purpose has generally been the same: to draw attention to LGBTI+ people and thereby improve our living conditions in all parts of society. And then of course party like no one else can. It is also important to note that each of the different Prides have arisen in solidarity with the first of the Danish parades, Copenhagen Pride. For this reason, I think it is particularly fitting that this year’s theme is solidarity. No matter what your thoughts are on Copenhagen Pride (disclaimer: I’m a fan), the event is carried out in solidarity with all LGBTI+ people.

For better or for worse However, when you’re planning a Pride, whether it is here in “dark” Jutland, or in “bright” Copenhagen, you can never expect full support from all parts of society. I myself learned this the hard way late one night at a fetish bar in Aarhus. I still remember being filled with outrage. After telling me about their idyllic suburban

life, and their wonderful neighbourhood, a pair of seemingly sensible husbands explained to me that they didn’t understand why a Pride in Aarhus was necessary. “I just don’t understand why some people feel the need to draw that much attention to themselves. We’re doing fine in our neighbourhood,” one of them said. As they didn’t experience any problems in their life, they reasoned that it wasn’t necessary to have an Aarhus Pride at all. They certainly weren’t going to drive their Volvo down to city centre and join a stereotypical glittery parade up and down Vestergade. To them, that would only confirm “regular” peoples’ assumptions that “gays only love glitter and have limp wrists”.

Make every day Pride Even though I love glitter and probably do have limp wrists (I guess it’s more practical than stiff wrists), I experimented with an optimistic defence: “But if you were to join the parade, you could exemplify the diversity in our community.” They didn’t buy that at all, so I bought another beer and left the discussion at that. The idealist in me was reassured that we definitely needed Aarhus Pride. Ironically, this couple had managed to convince me of the opposite of what they had intended. It is important to remember that even if our lives are brilliant, other people might still be having a hard time, and we need to stand together to help them. We can do that by participating in Prides, when we are able, and by sharing the pride every day. Just imagine if Prides were no longer needed and every day simply had room for us all. We can make that a reality. If we stand together and show solidarity.

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“So, when asked ‘what were my political stance’ I would say it was basically a witch monarchy. I was a witch that was hungry for power and wealth and wanted to run for office, and I had no shame about that hunger. I thought, I am going to do this campaign as an act of performance art, so I am going to go full-on as a radical, transmarxist person, who is a witch.”

NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED By Lærke Vinther Christiansen

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Performance at Kampnagel in Hamburg, Germany. Photo by Pia Pritzel

lmost 100 Polish municipal governments recently signed pledges embracing resolutions against so-called “LGBT propaganda”. This means that local governments has promised to stop encouraging tolerance and to stop funding NGOs that promote and support equality. This is being supported by Poland’s Law and Justice party, who are preparing for the upcoming election by running a campaign that relies heavily on marginalizing Poland’s LGBTI+ population. Valentine Tanz/Vala Tomasz Foltyn is a Polish artist and political activist who holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology, and has led a nomadic lifestyle studying at art schools around the world. When she returned home to Krakow, she funded Lamella - the house of queer arts, and Krakow Art House in a 110 years-old villa. She ran the queer house dedicated to art, activism and community, but after a few years, she was illegally evicted

by an investor. Vala lost her house and this spurred her to run for Mayor of Krakow as a non-binary transfemme witch, talking openly and boldly about issues such as gentrification, LGBTI+ safety and the systemic oppression of queer people in Poland.

What were your political actions in Poland and what where they grounded in? My actions are very personal and political at the same time. My art is intertwined with my personal life, and in some ways that is a radical choice. My life in Poland was extremely political, and yet it was very queer. My experience of living there has always been a struggle, since I am a non-binary transfemme person who carries this identity in order to mark their space in the public. Running a queer house was very political, especially in a country which is very fascist and extremely radical

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was simply awful. There was no space for us. Wearing eyeliner was an experience of constant battle; it became my fight and later on strategy of self-empowerment. Two years ago, I had a conflict with a real estate investor and I was illegally evicted from my house. At the same time, my dearest friend, and producer of my shows, Aneta Żukowska, was dying of cancer. When I lost my friend and the house at the same time I thought: I have nothing more to lose. So, I decided to go full on in the political debates and let my voice be heard. It was the same time as there were local elections for the Mayor of Krakow, and I decided to run for mayor as a trans woman and a witch. I was openly talking about corruption, the city’s gentrification process, and violence against LGTBI+ people. I was one person running all of this by myself. It was crazy and intense, but I am so proud that I did it.

Was your art then affected by your political actions and how did they interconnect?

Last performance at Lamella.Krakow, Poland. Photo by Stan Barański

in terrorizing queer bodies. I’ve always been very involved in urban activism, ecology, and the queer and LGBTI+ movements. However, my identity back then, and the people I were running the house with, were far too radical, even for the gay and lesbian movement in Krakow. I lived in San Francisco for a while, where I studied with Anna Halprin [choreographer and activist] and lived a very queer life. Then, coming back to Poland, things such as going out as a queer body and dating guys

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My art was always political, yet my magic becomes another strategy of resistance. When I think about the art scene here in Denmark, it doesn’t excite me - it does not inspire me. We are living in times where art should not be entertaining anymore; on the contrary, I really think art should be disturbing and challenging. Art should be decolonizing its own structures of power. In Poland, I experienced that my shows and my performances were too radical for the gay community. But why was that? Is it because gay culture has a need to be entertained? That’s why I think that the art scene should be a little bit more critical. It should be speaking from personal truths, and those personal truths are hard to digest. So, when you sit down to spend a nice Friday evening with your friends, maybe you don’t necessarily want to hear stories of trans trauma, but that’s

your obligation as a privileged audience. It is imperative that we give voices to pain. I think of my art as transformative witchcraft. But why witchcraft? It is actually very simple to understand. When we lose everything, when we lose power and are hopeless, when

"My family was not understanding, so I knew that I had to make a move." we don’t have any more justice in our own communities and everything around us is corrupted, when our lives are being threatened then what is left out there for you? It’s magic. It’s spirituality. It’s faith. I was raised by a very religious grandmother, who prayed a lot to the Virgin Mary and that’s what I carry in

my art. My art is extremely personal, my art derives from my family history. My name, Vala, is my grandmothers name.

What were the events leading up to you leaving Poland? I left the country due to persecution, violence and censorship of my art by the Ministry of Culture and Foreign Affairs. When I was running my campaign I received several life threats. As a result, I was not able to work and I experienced severe mental health issues. I knew there was only one way to survive, and that was to leave the country. I became homeless, I had no work, and could not to receive any psychological support. My family was not understanding, so I knew that I had to make a move. After some consideration, I left for Denmark. I had a couple of good friends here who I knew would support me and help me find my own healing space. Now, I am offering help to people from Poland who wants to leave the country. The situation in

Lamella collective. Krakow, Poland. Photo by Rafael Medina

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Poland is on fire. The LGBTI+ community is being persecuted. There are people who has committed suicide this month. There are people who have been attacked in their own neighborhoods. I miss my friends and I miss my community that I have left behind. But there is nothing better right now, for people like me, than to leave this behind and get a second chance to live.

"I think there is something about Danish culture; it has understanding of people coming from different backgrounds, but at the same time, Danish society doesn’t want to challenge their own comfort." When first arriving in Denmark, how did you (re)establish yourself in Danish society? It has been a process. Denmark has very harsh policies for newcomers. Firstly, you need to have a job contract in order to get a bank account, and then you can apply for a residency permit - even if you’re migrating from within the EU. This was very difficult to get my head around, especially when I was so exhausted from my life in Poland. But thanks to a lot of friends here, things moved easily. Now, one and half year later, here I am. I am living good, I am enrolled in graduate school

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at Malmö Art Academy. Recently, I was fired from my part-time cooking job because of COVID-19. However, it has made me realize this time of unemployment may be a great opportunity to go even deeper into healing, and focus on self-care and self-love.

What has your experience been of bringing Lamella and your art with you to Denmark? When I moved to Copenhagen, different community members moved to other countries. So, the core of Lamella sort of dispatched itself, and I thought “Okay, this can be a continuous process, it can be this rhizomatic structure that comes to new places and then hijacks them”. Back in December, I got funding from Nørrebro Neighborhood Funding for Culture. I have since run two evening events with Lamella for artists, and they were very successful. However, I have been receiving a lot of rejections from a lot of art institutions in Copenhagen. I am exhausted from explaining why I am doing Lamella and why it’s important to support. A lot of art institutions are saying: “This is not for our public. Your art is queer and belongs to a queer scene”. I have reached out to so many theatres in Copenhagen and none of them were ever interested in putting my work on their stage. Though, when I perform, the house is full. When I performed for Metropolis Copenhagen my live stream reached almost 2,000 viewers. So, what public are we talking about? There are people who follow me, there are people who want to hear these stories. I think there is something about Danish culture; it has understanding of people coming from different backgrounds, but at the same time, Danish society doesn’t want to challenge their own comfort. Oftentimes they think the struggle of others may be supported by Denmark because it is a very wealthy country, but that doesn’t mean the Danish people want to

Garden party at Lamella the House of Queer Arts in KraKow, Poland. Photo by Bartolomeo Koczenasz

get involved or sacrifice their privileges. So, this is an interesting case. At this time of the corona crisis and in the time of Black Lives Matter, I am really calling for the institutions of art to open their doors, in order to really create homes for us and to give us visibility, so we might speak our truth. I want to write down the queer legacy of that house in Krakow. With the story of Lamella, I aim to show the hidden politics of exclusion. On top of that, I am busy with my performance art and the trans story I am carrying. The story of a trans witch that carries the trauma of gentrification and structural violence.

Want to know more about the situation for LGBTI+ people in Poland? Join our debate on the anti-LGBTI+ movement in Poland during Copenhagen Pride Week. When? Friday August 20th, 19.00-20.00 Where? Tent 2: Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera

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Christian Vincent Jung Head of Communications, Copenhagen Pride

Stine Nyboe-Bek Communications, Lola Ramona

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SHOES THAT FIT YOUR PERSON

NALITY — NOT JUST YOUR FEET

Viola Pride Lola Ramona × Copenhagen Pride

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PROSPERITY IN DIVERSITY:

SPONSORSHIPS AND SUPPORT OF COPENHAGEN PRIDE Companies and the business community are present every year for Copenhagen Pride: large banners, t-shirts printed with logos – their visual identities gets turned up to maximum capacity and jumps out at you at the yearly celebration of the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender. The visibility of brands is palpable – but there is more to their work than to present it to the world. TDC, Coca Cola and 7/11 have all taken a stand on the question of contributing to the LGBTI+ community. As sponsors of Copenhagen Pride, their support is maintained outside of the summer months through several milestones based on the question of how to implement solidarity as a guiding star throughout the year. The Copenhagen Pride sponsors TDC, Coca Cola and 7/11 all have set goals for how to work with solidarity in mind – both when meeting with the customers, but also in the everyday dealings at the office.

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Inclusion and responsibility A common cause emphasized by all three businesses is the possibility of including a more diverse staff of employees. All the companies addressed how, as recognizable businesses in the city scape and well-funded actors, they can help steer the conversation: 7/11: “Diversity and inclusion are natural key terms within 7-Eleven, and we want to make sure everyone feels welcome with us – regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or ethnicity, and this is something that is reflected amongst employees working both in administration and in stores.” TDC: “Within TDC, we believe that having a team where you respect one another leads to more productive discussions and better solutions, when you know how to use each other’s

differences constructively. Our support of Copenhagen Pride is an important signal, but it is also a responsibility you take on as a business.” Coca Cola: “We actually found that the best way for us to make a difference as a company is with regards to other businesses – to talk about what we do as a global organization and to share our experiences.” Commitment, external dialogue and valuing the prosperity of diversity are all guiding stars in the work for long term change, which applies to dialogue with customers as well as employees.

Sponsor visibility, solidarity

support,

and

Equally important is being able to make sure to tick the box of visibility and the building of a foundation in answer to the question of how you support diversity among employees, representations of customers, as well as the well-being of society all together: TDC: “We are using a number of tools to secure the well-being of all employees while also empowering diversity. It is a way to create a strong business, to support inclusive behavior by thinking diversity into all possible aspects of the operation.” Coca Cola: “Solidarity is also when we contribute actively to the society we are ope-

rating in, and that we stand by our values as a business, so we can push for development how and where we can. The aim is for inclusion and diversity to not just be celebrated during a single week of August, but to be something we strive for all year around.” 7/11: “With 172 stores in Denmark, we have a lot of visibility in the city scape, which we can use to contribute during Copenhagen Pride Week by creating awareness and get the message out across the country. The basis for supporting Pride is the knowledge that, in spite of progress being made, there continues to be people who do not experience solidarity in their everyday lives, whether they’re walking down the street or anywhere else. Making your opinion known is also to actively decide whether you see diversity as a strength, and to acknowledge that many people still experience issues when it comes to living as the person they truly are” To have a long-term vision about diversity, societal responsibility, commitment, and dialogue, as well as the right to be who you are, is once again on the updated agenda of our sponsors. Focus on and support of the LGBTI+ community during the Pride-celebration is still valued highly – but there is also an effort being made outside of the party and parade, which includes daily acknowledgement of the existence of the LGBTI+ community in the work place.

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LET’S HAVE A QUEERVERSATION AN INTRODUCTION AND AN INVITATION By Andre Sanchez-Montoya

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t was during my first week in Copenhagen when I asked a gay Danish colleague of mine what the gay bars were in the city and his response was, “well, every bar here is kind of a gay bar”. I remember cocking my head to the side and pondering to myself, “huh, is that so?”. I became so interested in unpacking his statement and the underlying sentiment I felt it carried. The way he said it was with such effortlessness and with such nonchalance, was he implying that there was such a widespread acceptance here that I could walk into any establishment in Copenhagen and feel comfortable and accepted? Or maybe I, as a somewhat ethically ambiguous cisgender man, could, but would the

same response be given if I were darker skinned, or trans or femme presenting? Or was my lens of American identity politics complicating my perspective of how the queer community navigates this reality? In the months to come, as I explored the queer landscape more and more myself, I picked up on a prevailing atmosphere of contentment. The sense of ease that the Danish social welfare state extends to its citizens seems to permeate the social and demographic differences apparent on the surface. I began to ask myself, with the egalitarian nature of this society, is this what equality looks like for this queer community? Or is it more a feeling of complacency for those that have been afforded the benefits of society’s current form?

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As a foreigner in a new land, I pose these questions out of solidarity and in a quest for understanding the queer community here. I ask, not only out of curiosity but as an opportunity for critical reflection, as I know from experience what insights and magic can come from holding a mirror to our community.

Facing exclusion In the years before moving to Copenhagen, I often found myself at the edge of the dance floor kiki-ing with a someone under the disco ball about how the party is that night, or how the DJ’s set is on point, and what drag performer just delivered 10s 10s, 10s across the board. If we were both lucky enough to hear each other over the bass and Donna Summer interludes, we would find ourselves talking about our queerness and what we loved about it, and how it intersected with so many different parts of our lives in the city. This conversation replicated itself at drag shows, house parties, and the oh-so familiar grimy warehouses in the depths of the infinite and inviting night. Ultimately, these conversations connected me to some of my dearest Judys I have come to know. We saw the dialogue we were having between us as an opportunity to share our perspectives on how the queer community in Washington, DC could evolve, how it could become more inclusive and intergenerational, and how we could exist and operate in spaces that were

"We also saw how many people we excluded from our vivacious community"

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not underscored by the nightlife. And do not get me wrong, I understand and value the importance the haven that nightlife culture provided LGBTI+ individuals pre-liberation (especially knowing that day drag can be a challenge for some queens, no shade.) but we also saw how many people we excluded from our vivacious community with so many of our gatherings happening at night, in bars, surrounded by alcohol and a community that places so much value on youth and aesthetics. These environments could deter members of our community that were older, disabled, economically disadvantaged, or felt “othered” in some way. These talks always left me with some residual energy, a feeling that I could bridge these conversations and people into something

As the year continued, the LGBTI+ nightlife landscape in Washington, D.C. was shifting dramatically. There were closures of long-standing historic gay venues, and whether or not you were fans of these spaces, one thing became more and more clear – as a community we were losing spaces that were distinctly ours. So ahead of Pride month, I worked with the Queerversation collective to take our cozy intimate conversations and open them to the public.

"Let’s Have a Queerversation: Imagining Queer Utopias"

more. So, I started small and reached out to some friends, some old and some new, and invited them over to my home for the first instalment of what would become, Let’s Have a Queerversation.

The Queerversation During our first gathering, we talked about the change of gay semiotics, observed recent installations of local queer artists, and used our imaginative capacity to think of where we could take the collective. A few months later, we convened again, inviting a few more friends of friends, and were walked through a friend’s research that examined queer desire in the modern-day erotic marketplace that pushed all of us to reflect and share how we intersected with it.

With Washington, DC experiencing a loss of queer-centered and owned establishments, we found ourselves in a moment of nostalgia for the spaces and businesses that have had to close their doors. In the urban context, owning space is power, and who owns it or has the capital to achieve that ownership plays into what that space will be used for and who will have access to it. Understanding that power dynamic, Let’s Have a Queerversation: Imagining Queer Utopias and the Future of Queer Spaces in DC, spoke to the importance and criticality of outlining the potential and possibilities of queer-centered spaces. This pause for reflection presented an opportunity to discuss and dream what the future of LGTBI+ spaces could look like in Washington, DC. This was an opportunity for members of the DC LGBTI+ community to share what their vision of a queer utopia encompassed in the urban environment of Washington, DC.

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Specifically, what could queer-centric commercial development look and feel like as the city rapidly developed? Our program featured perspectives panels and presentations from local queer entrepreneurs, performers, and researchers. Our “Queerversation” explored the elusive concept of queer utopia in an urban context, the LGBTI+ effect on gentrification, international case studies, and lessons on language and pronoun equity in designing spaces and building community. We challenged each other’s notions; we were critical of the event itself and how we could always do better to be more inclusive and felt more equipped to do so in the future. Now, our Queerversation about queer utopia in the built environment was uniquely suited to the complex context of Washington, DC and the rugged cultural individualism that

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is found within the US. There was an emphasis on the importance of engaging in this dialogue because I felt and saw the spaces we had access to “exist” in, being cut, and limited in the name of commercial development and economic growth. This was compounded with the desire for the LGBTI+ community to rally together to create something intersectional and intergenerational.

Take part in the Queerversation And now, as I turn to you, dear reader, I ask what Queerversation you are having with your Judys? What conversations do you feel will benefit this queer community? How do you talk about it? Where can you? Is the idea of queer utopia one worth exploring in Copenhagen? What does it look like or how would you build and design it? Or to return to my earlier inquisition, are some of you already

Queersaurus A lot of queer slang is becoming more mainstream, but if you’re not yet caught up, we’ve got your back! Kiki: to kiki means to chat or gossip. Not to be confused with kai kai, which means sex between drag queens! 10s across the board: a reference to ballroom culture, where performers were scored on signs held up by the judges. 10 is the highest score! Judy: your good Judy is your good friend. It refers to Judy Garland, who became an icon in the LGBTI+ community after playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. When homosexuality was still illegal in the US, LGBTI+ people used the phrase “a friend of Dorothy” to identify one another. Shade: to shade someone is to insult or belittle them – sometimes playfully, sometimes not!

living in it? And, if so, how does that feel? With an earnest curiosity, I am excited to learn from you and to expand my own understanding of our international queer community. If you feel moved to engage with the topics illustrated throughout the article or have been working with these types of themes, with your cooperation we can work together in launching the ongoing Let’s Have a Queerversation column, an ongoing dialogue that aims to engage the Copenhagen queer community to reflect on contemporary issues, canon, research, art, design and future-oriented perspectives.

something completely different? We want to pass the baton to you. Contact the HeartCore editorial office by sending an email to presse@copenhagenpride.dk with your idea, and we will discuss the options of including it in a coming edition of the magazine. The Queerversation is open to everyone and is a chance for us to listen to and learn from one another.

Continue the Queerversation Do you have thoughts about inclusive LGBTI+ spaces in Copenhagen, the effects of gentrification, privilege within our community or

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Part of the critique in 2019 was directed at the choice of headliner at the Pride Show on Saturday, Infernal. Photo: Renato Manzionna

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SPACE FOR EVERYONE? INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN COPENHAGEN PRIDE’S SHOWS By Mariya Alfa Staugaard

uring Copenhagen Pride there is no shortage of events to check out, whether you are looking to be educated or entertained. The Human Rights Program will be running a long list of debates, talks and workshops, and elsewhere in the city you can visit LGBTI+ themed exhibitions and canal tours. In the evening, however, there tends to be only one main attraction: the show. Whether it’s “Take Me Back Tuesday” or Friday’s glittery “Drag Night”, the shows of Copenhagen Pride Week always attract large crowds who show up to enjoy the music and entertainment as well as to party together with friends and strangers. But it is not just the cheerful atmosphere that attracts people to the show. The feeling we get when we see our community reflected

and represented on a stage of that size also matters greatly. There is no doubt that this is how it should be – but we must question whether we are meeting our own goals when it comes to creating a diverse show, and are those goals ambitious enough?

Debate on representation This became a point of discussion last year when Danish musician O/RIOH, who had been booked to perform at the Pride Show on Saturday, criticized Copenhagen Pride on Instagram for not being inclusive enough, and was subsequently removed from the program. In hindsight, this matter was not handled as well as it should have been, but fortunately it did lead to a constructive dialogue between the parties once the dust had settled. While regrettable, this situation brought to light the

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question of representation, which is more than fitting. As the biggest LGBTI+ event in Denmark, Copenhagen Pride has a responsibility to our community to do our best when it comes to representation in our shows. If anybody is aware of the way the issue of representation is handled, it is Tonny Liljenberg. Tonny has been part of executing Copenhagen Pride for six years and is the person

"In his work with Drag House, a lot of focus is given to representation and diversity."

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behind “Drag Night”. Since his second year in the organization, he has also been in charge of Saturday’s Pride Show. Tonny is also the creator of the performance concept Drag House, which sets up large drag events in venues such as Vega, earning him the nickname “Drag Daddy”. In his work with Drag House, a lot of focus is given to representation and diversity, and Tonny makes sure not only to book cisgender drag queens, but also give a platform to bio kings and queens, as well as transgender performers, to display their fabulous talents. We asked Tonny how he works to ensure broad diversity in the shows he plans for Copenhagen Pride: “Luckily, I’m not dealing with this alone. I listen a lot to the people around me, and the ideas brought to the table, as well as keeping posted about new (and old)

Photo: Anders Jung

exciting artists”. It is a constant exercise, but without doubt an issue that gets a fair amount of attention.

Inspiration from around the world One thing (of many) we do well in the LGBTI+ community, is sharing our experiences with and drawing inspiration from one another. As Pride events have begun popping up all over the country, and the number of LGBTI+ related events has increased, it is a perfect moment for curiosity and drawing inspiration from different approaches. Tonny is more than happy to do so: “When I go to LGBTI+ events, I’m very conscious of looking for inspiration we can use at Copenhagen Pride. When I went to a minority film festival in the Faroe Islands last year, I met a Swedish female rapper, who I quickly booked for Copenhagen Pride 2020,

and who we will hopefully get to see in 2021 instead”. Simultaneously, other activist movements such as Black Lives Matter, which emphasize the intersections between sexual orientation, gender identity and racialization, help to encourage introspection. The recognition of privilege blindness is a practice that constantly needs to be worked on if we are to become better at presenting a broad representation of identities in our shows and create a space that feels safe for everyone in our community. What have we learned from last year? Every time Copenhagen Pride takes place, it is an opportunity for us to do better. “I believe we’ve learned that we need to pay attention to how and how fast we respond to criticism. We definitely discovered that dialogue is the best solution”, Tonny says. “We also learned, by looking back at our earlier shows, that we have come a long way with regards to representation and inclusion – but we can still get better”. And so, the work continues, but not with one single end goal in mind: “We can also do better. It is important for us to always think thoroughly about our relationship with inclusion and representation – and that we listen to what people tell us, and that way help us do better”. While we are making an effort to do better with regards to inclusion and representation, we acknowledge that we cannot do it alone. We constantly seek out input from the community, and you are always welcome to get in touch if you have specific ideas on how we can secure a diverse program in the long term, one that allows us to throw a great party while also reflecting the diversity of our community.

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THE BIG PRIDE SHOW IS ONLINE By Thomas R. Kristensen

his year we are not allowed to gather thousands of people in front of Pride Stage in City Hall Square. As a result, we can – for the first time ever – look forward to experiencing the big Pride Show online, in bars or on TV2 Lorry. Saturday, August 22nd is an important day for anyone who loves Copenhagen Pride. However, this year’s Pride Saturday will not be quite the same as previous years. Due to corona, we have had to think up new ways to celebrate rainbow-diversity. This, of course, also affects the big Pride Show, which usually attracts thousands of people for speeches, music, show and partying in City Hall Square.

An alternative format Together with its creative team, Copenhagen Pride has worked intensely to develop an alternative format for the big Pride Show. “The show will last for about two hours, starting at 20:00,” Simon Witzansky reveals, co-arranger of the big Pride Show since 2015. “The hosts will be Megan Moore, May Simón and friends – that is Jumbo Jette, Chantal Al Arab, Athena Lady, and Nicholas Nybro,” says Simon Witzansky.

Among this year's artists, Copenhagen Pride has, at the time of writing, entered into contracts with Rosa Lux, Gnucchi, Freja Kirk, Emile, Jeuru, Betty Bitchslap, and Ivy Rosenauer. Additionally, you can look forward to this year’s Pride speakers.

"The artists will perform using brand new technology, Extended Reality, which will be used in Denmark for the very first time" Extended Reality During Pride Week, Copenhagen Pride will be physically present at City Hall Square with four tents for talks, debates, and other activities. The Pride Show itself will, however, not be aired from City Hall Square. Even if the

Photo: Tommy Petersen

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government has eased the restrictions on large gatherings by then, it will still not be possible for thousands of people to gather physically. “We’re building a studio where hosts and artists are all present. At one side of the studio, the hosts will be in a set design conceptually mirroring Copenhagen. At the other side, the artists will perform using brand-new technology, Extended Reality, which will be used in Denmark for the very first time,” Simon Witzansky reveals.

“With Extended Reality, we are creating a virtual universe our artists can enter into, which is substantially better than for example Green Screen-technology.” “We’re airing it live, and there is a great amount of technology that needs to cooperate. It’s enough to keep you up at night, but that’s the conditions we’ll have to accept when we’re entering an area we haven’t entered before,” Simon Witzansky says with a laugh.

COPENHAGEN PRIDE SHOW

Saturday, August 22nd, 20:00-22:00 Available on copenhagenprideweek2020.dk The show has been arranged by Simon Witzansky, Tonny Liljenberg, Godot Stangerup, Mads Knudsen, and Allan Gram, alongside numerous volunteers from Copenhagen Pride.

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He explains that the experiences with Denmark’s first digital Pride Show might be drawn into 2021 when Copenhagen will be hosting World Pride and Eurogames. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to gather again physically for a big Pride Show in 2021, but a digital Pride Show could be a way of including those who might be able to participate in Copenhagen.”

Watch it anywhere The big Pride Show will be available to watch in all corners of the world at copenhagenprideweek2020.dk. “We’ve been trying to preserve the pride-feeling. Now that we can’t gather everyone in City Hall square, we ask that people celebrate Pride in smaller groups.” For instance, you could invite your friends

for a Pride party at home and watch the show together. You could also go for a walk around town. Most LGBTI+ bars in Copenhagen are airing the Pride Show on their screens. “The bars have been enormously positive about the prospect of transmitting the Pride Show. I will definitely recommend going out to see this year’s Pride Show so that you support some of the places that have been struggling during the corona lockdown. The bars need our support,” says Simon Witzansky. This year’s Pride Show will also air on television screens in Danes’ homes around the country. This year, TV2 Lorry transmits parts of the Pride Show.

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TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN … AND WHY THE SLYTHERINS DIDN’T GET TO FIGHT IN THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS

By Maria R. Rathje

see JK Rowling spewing hate and I cannot stay silent. She somehow believes that including transgender women in feminism will put cis women at risk. This is wrong - because feminism includes and benefits all genders. No two experiences of womanhood are the same, and all humans deserve to be respected and safe. Fear can swallow hope and compassion. But now I can suddenly see why not one single Slytherin stayed behind to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts. That is because the author of the book believes in the divisive lines drawn by the enemy. “Divide and conquer” is the oldest trick in the book and yet, somehow, Rowling still thinks that segregation perpetuated by the oppressor is important to her own well-being.

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I don’t like cancel culture. Anyone can be redeemed; even those with a Dark Mark. And no, I don’t mean Snape, whose selfish actions just happened to play into the hands of the “good side.” I mean Draco Malfoy, for whom the Harry Potter fandom has long ago crafted a redemption arc where he struggles, learns, repents, apologizes, and overcomes. But we cannot wait for Rowling to realize she is wrong. Segregation leads only to two things: genocide or revolution. Genocide is already happening. People are dying every day because they are believed to be "other." I choose revolution, and I will work for it with anyone who is willing to ensure that all humans are respected, safe, and happy.

About the case In June, JK Rowling was called out for posting a tweet which indicated that only women menstruate. She later published a blog post on her website, which expressed her concern for cisgender women’s safety if transgender women are included in “single-sex spaces”, ignoring the fact that transgender women are particularly vulnerable to violence and their inclusion is a matter of safety as well as basic rights.

Photo: Malene Søvdahl Clemensen

I used to dream of Hogwarts. But feverish childhood fantasies aside, I know that, the way Rowling wrote it, it is not a place for me. As a queer woman, I could only live in her books as a straight-passing version of myself. Ironically, I would have to stay in the closet to fit into a world revolving about a boy escaping his cupboard to become a hero. Thankfully, the Harry Potter fandom has meant that the world has evolved past its creator to become a place where so many of us can feel safe and welcome.

I am so, so disappointed in the author of books that I love and that have given me so many experiences and friends. But if I can use my Gryffindor courage for one thing, it will be this: to stand up to people I believed to be right, when they are doing wrong. I will continue to do my best to do the right thing, working with whoever else does the right thing with me.

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CREATING AN INCLUSIVE CULTURAL PROGRAM By Anne Sophie Parsons

henever somebody hears the word “culture”, the first image that comes to mind tends to be the well-known scenes and institutions; the theatre, the cinema, music venues and book cafés, all of which are familiar establishments which have been closed and collecting dust during lockdown. But the country is slowly reopening, and with it, an occasion to begin looking forward to the culture and art we are going to experience during World Pride in Copenhagen Pride next year. With the Arts and Culture Program for Copenhagen 2021, familiar cultural activities will be available, but at the same time, the whole city of Copenhagen will be activated and included as a platform for expression – also in more unexpected locations: “With the Arts and Culture Program for Copenhagen 2021, we want to make space for the camp and performative aspects of art, as

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part of the protest that is at the heart of Pride. We are attempting to evoke emotions and create a broader sense of understanding, both within and outside the LGBTI+ community,” says Sasha Carlson, one of two culture coordinators for Copenhagen 2021. To put together an Arts and Culture Program that takes place in all corners of Copenhagen, as opposed to being confined to the more established art and culture scenes, is a rainbow colored bench mark that could give even the most experienced of cultural coordinators a few gray hairs. The trick will be reflecting the composition of the program by encouraging inclusion of the entire LGBTI+ community; everyone should feel represented to the most extensive degree, within a range that has room for the small niche cinema and the large art gallery, as well as all the letters in the acronym.

The Arts and Culture Program for Copenhagen 2021: Seen, heard, experienced, included All of this is why the first point of order for the culture coordinators is to keep both eyes and ears open for what is happening – both in a cultural context, but also with regards to representations of the diverse identities of the community. To select something that is relevant, something current that affects people, is the primary goal, but also comprises the hardest task: “We work from the solid assumption that art can create new forms of solidarity, new communities and can push the boundaries of existing norms,” Sasha continues, emphasizing the diverse facets of art and culture. Art can protest and create space for dialogue, tradition, history, and innovation to come together within the framework of community. To support representation across genre, expression, and sexual and gender-based identities will

be emblematic for the culture and arts events awaiting next year, with a norm critical and intersectional program. Charlotte Plesner Bliddal, the other half of the culture coordinator duo for Copenhagen 2021, emphasizes the importance of feeling included as part of the community that is reflected in the art: “Nothing about us without us! As a culture coordinator, my hope is that LGBTI+ people will be able to see themselves in our events, and that there will be room for niche as well as mainstream cultural expressions. And who knows? Hopefully, you will encounter and participate in cultural events in places where you’d least expect it.” Just like the yearly celebration of Pride shows us that we are not alone, culture and art can do the exact same thing: it creates a space where the conversation is always on-going and all voices can be heard, seen and experienced through the message of art. It will be with approach that the Arts and Culture Program during Copenhagen 2021 invites everyone to join experiences that will be involving all of Copenhagen – and the entire LGBTI+ community. “Art speaks where words fail. With the cultural events of Copenhagen 2021, we as LGBTI+ people get a stronger voice and a platform to share our stories and wishes for the future,” Charlotte concludes.

Would you like to know more and to stay updated about the developments of the Arts and Culture Program of Copenhagen 2021? Visit www.copenhagen2021. com for news and updates. Do you have any input you would like to share? Then write an email to culture@copenhagen2021.com

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SOLIDARITY Thanks for reading our SOLIDARITY ISSUE Next edition of HeartCore will be released November 2020 with the theme FAMILY In the meantime, find us on: FACEBOOK – Copenhagen Pride INSTAGRAM – @copenhagenpride TWITTER – @copenhagenpride And on www.copenhagenprideweek2020.dk on August 17th till 23rd

#StrideWithPride #CopenhagenPrideWeek2020 #PrideParadeChallenge #CPHPride

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Welcome to Copenhagen 2021

The most significant LGBTI+ event in 2021 combining WorldPride, EuroGames, an eclectic arts and culture program, and the biggest ever LGBTI+ human rights forum.

HUMAN RIGHTS ARTS & CULTURE EUROGAMES WORLDPRIDE 12–22 AUGUST PARENT ORGANIZATIONS

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2021

Photos by: Rikke Høyen & Andreas Paulsson

And #YouAreIncluded !