District launches online needs assessment during Pride Month
To mark International Pride Month in June, the Waldeck-Frankenberg district is launching an online needs assessment to take a closer look at the realities of life and the wishes of the LGBTIQ* community in the district. The aim is to further develop existing services and create tailored structures for the region. The survey is now available.
Focus on local needs
Whilst academic research and national trends – such as the rise in anti-queer sentiment – highlight fundamental issues, it is difficult to draw conclusions from them about the specific conditions in rural areas at a local level. A regional perspective on the situation in Waldeck-Frankenberg is therefore needed. The survey, initiated by the district’s support centre for queer people, aims to provide reliable, first-hand data. It is primarily aimed at LGBTIQ* people who live in the district or spend a lot of time here. Family members, friends and allies are also explicitly invited to take part.
Participation and Co-determination
“We want to work with local people to create and improve structures. However, this can only be achieved if we listen and identify needs directly through a participatory approach,” says Miriam Drüppel, the district’s deputy women’s representative. The survey views participation as active co-determination: community members are recognised as experts in their own affairs. The findings are intended to help tailor future services, networks and events even more closely to real needs and to tangibly promote social participation.
Review and assessment of work to date
At the same time, the survey serves as an initial assessment: following almost two years of work by the support centre for queer people, the aim is to analyse how the services provided so far have been received by the public and where there is room for improvement. Particular attention is also being paid to the ‘Coming Out Days’, which have been held since 2024. This week of events is a key tool for raising the profile of queer life in the district, breaking down prejudices and creating spaces for dialogue. The survey aims to identify which topics and formats are particularly sought after for the upcoming action days.
Pride Month in June
The decision to launch the initiative in June was a deliberate one: Pride Month serves as an international commemoration of the Stonewall riots in June 1969 on Christopher Street in New York – the beginning of the modern queer liberation movement. Whilst achievements are celebrated and ongoing discrimination denounced worldwide throughout June, the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is sending a clear signal locally in favour of active democracy and participation through this needs assessment.
It’s easy and anonymous to take part until 31 August
The online survey takes only about 5 to 7 minutes to complete. Privacy is our top priority: the survey is completely anonymous; you will not be asked for your name or any personal identifying details at any stage. Furthermore, you are free to decide for each individual question whether or not to provide an answer. The survey is now open, and you can take part until 31 August.