On Monday, November 20th, the “Trans R* Day” demonstration took place in memory of people who are and have been victims of transphobic violence. In Vienna, the rate of discrimination against trans and queer people remains very high.
VIENNA. Together with several organizations that support queer people, the Austrian Student Union (ÖH) called for the “Trans R* Day” demonstration. The aim is to honor the victims of transphobic violence and draw attention to the precarious situation of trans people. Transgender people in Vienna and Austria are still particularly affected by violence and discrimination.
In 2020, the annual demonstration could not take place because it became the target of threats from right-wing extremists. This year it will take place again at 6pm in Sigmund Freud Park.
Anti-queer violence is rising again
Crimes occurring specifically against trans and queer people have only recently been documented as such in Austria. It was only in 2020 that the Federal Ministry of the Interior decided to introduce hate crimes or “bias-related crimes” as a category in criminal proceedings. In 2015, a study called “Queer in Vienna” was published in Vienna – with extensive results.
80 percent of people who participated in the study said they had been insulted in public spaces. One in five people has suffered a physical attack. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, hatred and attacks against the LGBTQ community have increased again since 2021. The attacks would be directed especially against the trans community.
Several organizations, such as the Homosexual Initiative (HOSI), Trans Femme Fatale or the Courage counseling center, offer support and help to trans people. There is currently no low-threshold reporting point for anti-LGBTIQ hate crimes; a request for its creation was presented to parliament.
Have you ever experienced or observed anti-queer behavior?
Discrimination also in universities
The ÖH also criticizes continued discrimination at universities. It is not possible to enter the chosen name into the internal university system until there is a legal change to the name. This would often lead to forced departures of trans students. Despite a legal opinion in 2015 that saw no legal obstacles, the possibility does not yet exist.
“Despite years of demands from the ÖH, no measures have been taken to end the forced departure of trans students. Universities must act now! There is no tolerance for transphobia!”, said Nina Mathies, Sarah Rossmann and Simon Neuhold from the ÖH presidents team.
You might also be interested in:
The first queer education center in Austria has opened
Homosexuals who are criminally prosecuted will be compensated