Discrimination - Searches after attack on Heidelberg queer festival
After several artists were attacked at the Heidelberg Queer Festival, the police searched the apartments of the suspected perpetrators. Four men and a woman between the ages of 16 and 18 were suspected of participating in the assaults at the end of May, according to the Heidelberg Prosecutor's Office and Mannheim Police Headquarters.
Witnesses reported that the attackers had recorded their actions on their phones. The prosecutor's office therefore applied for search warrants for the respective apartments. The criminal police found the phones during the searches on June 19th. The evaluation of the devices and further investigations were still ongoing.
Artists were pelted with stones, insulted, and attacked
According to the Performance Theater Heidelberg, three young artists were attacked after a performance. They were reportedly first verbally assaulted with references to their gender identities and sexual orientations. Subsequently, they were pelted with stones and physically assaulted. The investigators now reported that the attackers had also thrown firecrackers at them, but they had not been hit.
The group of attackers had previously been issued a house ban, as the theater announced in a statement on Instagram with the festival organizers and the event location Karlstorbahnhof.
Heidelberg Queer Festival - the first of its kind in Germany
People who identify as queer are non-heterosexual people or people who do not identify with the traditional roles of man and woman or other societal norms around gender and sexuality.
The Heidelberg Queer Festival started in 2009, according to the organizers' website, as the first festival of its kind in Germany. It is described on the Internet site of the organizers as "a platform for queer culture, a queer community event, and a festival of diversity and tolerance".
- Despite facing discrimination and public backlash, the woman at the forefront of organizing the Heidelberg Queer Festival continues to promote inclusivity and arts in Baden-Württemberg.
- Several artists from the LGBTQ+ community expressed their support for the festival, highlighting its significance in addressing societal norms and discrimination towards the non-conforming.
- The CID (International Dance Council) has shown interest in collaborating with the Heidelberg Queer Festival, aiming to promote diversity in the arts and combat discrimination globally.
- The police have urged the public to come forward with any information regarding the crime committed at the festival, assuring anonymity and protection for witnesses.
- In light of the recent attacks, discussions about implementing broader security measures for future LGBTQ+ events and festivals have been raised within Mannheim's Society for the Promotion of Arts and Culture.
- A local art collective based in Heidelberg is planning a tribute exhibition entitled "Resilience and Unity," showcasing works that highlight the struggles and strength of the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to foster awareness and acceptance.
- The Mannheim Public Prosecutor's Office has announced a dedicated team to investigate hate crimes and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to foster a safer and more inclusive society.
