In the organizer's words:

Talk on International Human Rights Day

"Beyond the rainbow - What next for the LGBT+ movement?"

Too loud or not loud enough?

Too much or far too little?

Rainbow, LGBTIQA+, queer or LGB?

At the event "Jenseits des Regenbogens - Wie weiter in der LGBT+ Bewegung?" on December 10 from 18:00 at the Cologne VHS Forum in the Museum am Neumarkt, five high-profile people - Julia Monro, Sabine Arnolds, Ali Utlu, Christian Scheuß, Cheryl Dowtin - will give their views on the path taken so far, what has been achieved and how things could continue, what challenges stand in the way and how we can move forward together. Moderated and scrutinized by Sina Vogt and Jürgen Künz.

Bans on symbols, right-wing agitation, language debates, identitarian opposition - despite social and legal successes, the headwind is growing: rainbow flags are disappearing, drag and gendering are considered provocative, language is becoming a culture war.

Meanwhile, the community is arguing: queer feminist voices criticize commercialization, some social blindness, others warn of division and moral dogmatism, and some see sensitive language as an essential task.

There is a threat of alienation between LGBTQIA+, LGB and queer agendas, while right-wing culture warriors are deliberately building up so-called "gender ideology" as an enemy.

These challenges can also offer opportunities: strategic visibility, social breadth and a culture of debate that unites rather than divides - for resistance through diversity, empathy and intelligent self-reflection. Let's talk about it.

A cooperation between Neue Medien e.V. and Kölner VHS.

"Beyond the rainbow - What's next for the LGBT+ movement?"

With

Julia Monro

Activist, author, consultant and journalist who campaigns for the rights of transgender people and gender diversity.

Sabine Arnolds

Activist, co-founder of the feminist online magazine phenomenelle, works for the umbrella organization Lesben und Altern e.V. and is committed to lesbian visibility.

Ali Utlu

is an activist in the LGB movement and describes himself as an enfant terrible.

Cheryl Dowtin

US-American-German activist and board member of Cologne Pride e.V.

Christian Scheuß

Author and journalist. He has worked for Rosa Zone, Queer and in the public relations department of the Cologne AIDS-Hilfe.

Moderation:

Sina Vogt

Jürgen Künz