Pride Connects
February – Infopaper
LGBTIQ+ – Global warming – Triple election
In times of global warming, the strong connection between LGBTIQ+ activism and environmental activism has become indispensable. Through the triple election this year in Slovenia it is time to point out the importance of voting in political transformation and connect our activism even more with political events.
The climate crisis affects us all, but especially young people who face an uncertain future due to increasing global temperature and unrestrained exploitation of fossil resources. Studies show that half of young people worldwide are already affected by climate change on a daily basis. Queer people are, among other marginalized people, particularly hard hit by climate change as they are among the first facing poverty, exclusion and homelessness.
Research shows that 40 percent of U.S. youth who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ, even though they represent just 7 percent of the population. In case of storms, floods, wildfires and other extreme weather conditions caused by climate change, LGBTIQ+ are among the first who face life-changing consequences.
But that’s not the only reason why it’s important that we think of environmental activism in the context of LGBTIQ+ activism. Due to centuries of exclusion from society, queer communities have learned to question capitalist social norms and developed different forms of coexistence. By standing for their rights LGBTIQ+ activists have always been at the forefront of producing new and innovative forms of resistance. This knowledge becomes valuable for the Climate movement as they also have to use bold action to fight against further exploitation of our limited resources. The climate movement must lean against a capitalist system based on perpetual growth – through local resilience. Climate justice is based on the principles that we should all live on a planet where we can thrive and live equally in material and mental safety.
Queer communities can serve as an example of a world in which we live together in mutual support and empowerment to live individually and authentically.
It is important to shape the political discourse with our knowledge, with our ideas and demands. Besides direct participation and influence as activist, the election is giving us the opportunity to vote for our political representatives. Using this opportunity can decide in which future we live in, how long we will sustain our planet and how equal we are threatening one another.
You are asking yourself now, how to get properly equipped for the upcoming elections? You want to know why and how you vote queer and green? Then here are articles, websites and stores you should check out:
Articles and Podcasts
- https://grist.org/article/what-the-queer-community-brings-to-the-fight-for-climate-justice/ – Article about the connection of environmentalism and LGBTIQ+ activism
- https://www.ourclimatevoices.org/listening-series – website of young activists whose mission is to ”humanize the climate disaster through storytelling, contribute to a shift in the climate change dialogue that puts the voices of those most impacted at the forefront of the conversation (…)”
In the Podcast “In Conversation: Queer and Trans Liberation” queer climate activists are connecting LGBTQI+ and climate activism.
Check it out (in Ljubljana)
- Smetumet – NGO and sustainable products https://www.smetumet.com/
- Anselma – Clothing store in Ljubljana – http://anselma.si/
- Reclikart – Art festival for Recycling and DIY culture – http://kudmreza.org/tag/workshops-en/
- Alternative Tours Ljubljana – city tours, workshops and street art festivals – https://alternativetoursljubljana.com/
All around the Triple election
- https://glas-ljudstva.si/ – Association of many NGOs in Ljubljana who set up 138 demands for the upcoming triple election
With the start of new year Ljubljana Pride Association is setting a new focus on sustainability – we are developing and adopting practices that will make all upcoming Pride Parades as environmental – friendly as possible!
In addition to many workshops and events focusing on sustainable development, climate justice and the connection to LGBTIQ+ activism, the internal NGO will also be redesigned to be more climate friendly.