More than a rainbow Progress Pride flags raised on TU Braunschweig's University Square
Together with the President of TU Braunschweig, Professor Angela Ittel, and representatives of queer university groups, the Progress Pride flags were hoisted on the University Square on 6 August to mark the Braunschweig Summer Festival/CSD. A large number of students, staff and supporters gathered in bright sunshine to set an example of diversity, acceptance and self-determination at TU Braunschweig.
Many visitors came to set an example for diversity, acceptance and the right to self-determination at TU Braunschweig. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
The President of TU Braunschweig, Professor Angela Ittel, opened the event by emphasising the importance of fundamental rights and the promotion of diversity at TU Braunschweig. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
Magda from the AStA emphasised that the Pride flag was a promise to stand up for freedom for all as a university. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
Saskia from CSD Braunschweig presented the theme of this year's Braunschweig Summer Festival. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
After the opening speeches, the three Progress Pride flags were hoisted in front of the Audimax. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
The Progress Pride flags are now flying on the university campus for the duration of the summer festival. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
The event opened with speeches from TU President Angela Ittel, Magda from the AStA and Saskia from CSD Braunschweig. President Ittel reminded the audience of the importance of protecting the values of the Basic Law: “We have to defend and appreciate them every day”. The fight against homophobia and transphobia is a task for society as a whole, “and therefore also a task for TU Braunschweig, which is committed to protecting all people from discrimination and promoting diversity”. Magda from the AStA made it clear that the Pride flag means more than solidarity. “This flag should be a promise that the TU will do everything it can to make the campus a place where people can live, learn and love in freedom. May the flag remind us of this every day”.
For more diversity in the long term
President Ittel also stressed: “Active commitment to diversity is an everyday task and means more than just hoisting the Progress Pride flag”. TU Braunschweig wants to make an active contribution to promoting an understanding of diversity and structural change and has anchored equality and diversity as cross-cutting issues at TU Braunschweig and in the University Development Concept 2030. “This means that over the next few years we will be looking closely at how we can become an even more open, diverse and democratic university community,” explained Ulrike Wrobel, Head of the Equal Opportunities Office.
In her speech, Saskia from CSD Braunschweig presented the motto of this year’s CSD Braunschweig “Dresscode Diversity – Justice in the Basic Law” and pointed out that queer people belong to the last group of people persecuted during the Nazi era who are not yet fully protected by law. “This must change!”
After the opening speeches, the flags of Valentino Vecchietti’s updated Progress flag were raised to great applause on the three flagpoles in front of the Audimax. This was followed by music and the opportunity for personal dialogue. Numerous queer university groups such as the LGBTIAQ*@Staff Network and Student Network, the Colourful Bib and the Autonomous Women’s and Lesbian Department supported the event.
Background
Since its creation in 1978, the Pride flag has stood for the pride and empowerment of oppressed and marginalised groups and represents queer communities. In 2017, non-binary graphic designer Daniel Quasar designed the Progress Pride flag. This extends the original rainbow flag to include other colours and symbols that represent queer people of colour and trans people, and draws attention to the stigma of AIDS. It shows that people can experience multiple oppressions in their identity at the same time, such as homophobia and racism. The Progress Pride flag has since been updated by Valentino Vecchietti to be more inclusive and recognise intersex people.