2800 participants in this year’s Salzburg Pride parade. That is double the number of last year. That’s cool. And so important. Especially in this day and age. But one thing after the other.

On Friday evening, more and more people came to the HOSI Salzburg pub in Gabelsberger Straße to officially open this year’s Pride. With a rainbow market. And drag bingo with Gigi LaPajette, who played her usual vulgar game with the bingo balls – and with the audience. Afterwards there was a party at the HOSI Bar, at Monkey’s. And the Dark Eagle was also filled with numerous leather people on both floors.

On Saturday at 12 noon, the HOSI Salzburg was again the meeting point, this time for the Queer City Tour. In late summer weather, the participants were treated to a good-humoured city guide, Roman Forisch. From the HOSI we went via the Andräkriche, to Mirabell Palace, and of course over the Rosenhügel to the other side of the Salzach in the old town. The mood was good, even though the last night was not quite digested and the sun was burning. Roman preferred shady spots for his entertaining explanations. It was very interesting and enlightening. For example, wondering what homosexual life might have been like in Salzburg 1200 years ago.

The parade started at 5 pm at the main station. Upon entering the area in front of the main station, it was immediately clear: this was going to be a bigger deal than last year. This year’s parade must have cost some road users their nerves. Trolley buses that got stuck as well as drivers who were allowed to deal with the concerns of the LGBT community at intersections for about 15 minutes without being asked. That is visibility.

Homophobia in Austria

In the course of the parade, political demands were addressed with stops in front of the Chamber of Labour, at Mirabell Palace and on the Staatsbrücke, such as the still existing ban on blood donations for gay men. Homophobia in Austria was mentioned as well as threatening developments for the LGBT community in Eastern European countries. At Mirabellplatz, singer-songwriter Phil Luis presented his debut single. And a group of LGBT activists from Georgia was welcomed. In Tbilisi, this year’s CSD had produced worrying images.

The final rally of this year’s Pride took place at Unipark Nonntal. Until the programme was ready, a rather long polonaise developed. Malin Brandl moved skilfully on the trapeze against the backdrop of Hohensalzburg Fortress. Sister Greta von Breitenbach consecrated the sash bearers in the name of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence.

After the rally at Uniplatz, it was only a very short walk to ARGEkultur, where the Pride Night with DJane Petra Pan started at 9 pm. The trendy shops were also busy. The two fetish parties at Dark Eagle were once again a very international meeting place and open until morning. David from Mexxx was also satisfied. He had applied for extended curfew hours for this night. The Pride Night afterparty went so well that the last guests didn’t go home until Sunday noon. Or wherever else.

On Sunday, the leather community, Gigi LaPajette in civilian clothes, DJane Petra Pan with her dog and many others gathered for a very nice brunch at Café am Kai – in a beach atmosphere and in the best weather. It is a good sign that this year in Salzburg more people than ever visibly joined the concerns of the LGBT community. That is encouraging. And it is more necessary than it has been for a long time. Therefore: Happy Pride and let’s go on.