Coming Out Days: district invites you to join in
The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg cordially invites organisations, associations and committed citizens to take part in Coming Out Days 2025. The campaign week, which takes place from 6 to 12 October, aims to promote the visibility and acceptance of queer lifestyles in the region and set an example for diversity and tolerance.
"In the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, all people should be able to live their sexual orientation and gender identity openly and without fear of discrimination," explains Miriam Drüppel from the district's Women and Equal Opportunities Service. "We want to send an important signal with the Coming Out Days: The needs of queer people are important to us."
Action week as a platform for innovative formats
The action week offers a platform for various event formats that address queer topics in an accessible way and make them visible. Interested parties are invited to get involved with creative ideas - be it through discussion rounds, film evenings, awareness-raising impulses or other innovative formats. The Women and Equal Opportunities Service is on hand to help with planning and brainstorming and can put you in touch with experts if required.
According to recent studies, around 11 per cent of the German population identify as part of the LGBTIQ community. For the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, this statistically means over 17,000 queer people. Sexual and gender diversity is significantly greater among younger adults in particular - in Germany, 22 per cent of Generation Z, i.e. people born between 1995 and 2010, identify as queer.
Openness for queer people in rural areas
"We want to contribute to a culture in which queer people also encounter openness in our rural areas," emphasises District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "The Coming Out Days are an important step towards establishing LGBTIQ* structures in our region. They offer space for encounters, promote dialogue and help to break down prejudices," adds Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor.
As part of the campaign week, the district is responsible for publicising the individual events as part of the joint public relations work. Interested parties can register by email by 1 July. "Whether you are approaching the topic for the first time or already have experience - any contribution that makes openness and diversity visible is welcome," continues Miriam Drüppel. "Together, we can send a strong signal for an inclusive Waldeck-Frankenberg." Further information can be found here.
Background: Coming Out Days
Coming Out Day has been celebrated worldwide on 11 October every year since 1988. The day commemorates the "National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights" and has since mobilised people worldwide with lectures, discussions, film festivals and exhibitions. Coming Out Day supports queer people to live their identity openly and creates an environment of openness and acceptance.