Nicolas Van Elsué, the general secretary of Rosa Lëtzebuerg, came on The Home Stretch with Melissa Dalton on Today Radio to discuss the organization and Luxembourg Pride.
Rosa Lëtzebuerg advocates for and represents the LGBTQIA+ community in Luxembourg. It operates on three pillars: political, awareness, and social/cultural. Their biggest social/cultural event is Pride Week, with the highlight being the Equality March. Rosa Lëtzebuerg has served the gay community of Luxembourg since 1996 and has run the Equality March since 1999.
In 1999 there weren’t more than a few hundred people at the Equality March. This Saturday the 8th of July Rosa Lëtzebuerg expects over 2,000 people.
Nicolas spoke passionately about how much LGBTQIA+ life in Luxembourg has changed. While things are better, they can still improve. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the privilege that comes from being white and lesbian, gay, or bi that is not extended towards transgender, intersex, people of color or other members in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Nicolas also says its important to represent the community because, while things are pretty good here in Luxembourg, that is not the case everywhere. Standing up and fighting for gay rights in Luxembourg might inspire others to do the same elsewhere.
Originally, the Equality March was hosted in Luxembourg City, but since 2010 the event has taken place in Esch.
Besides the pride march, there are many activities throughout the week. Tonight, Thursday the 6th, there will be a panel at the Rainbow Center discussing what it’s like to be queer on the streets of Luxembourg. The event last from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
All Pride events are free, with exception of the parties, as those are not thrown by Rosa Lëtzebuerg.
Rosa Lëtzebuerg desperately needs volunteers. You can volunteer for Street Fest this weekend by reaching out to the organization via their social media or email found on their website.
They also need volunteers on a more regular, longer term basis. You can reach out them, once again, by contacting either their Facebook or Instagram pages and their website, but chances are, you will have to wait until Pride Week is over to hear back about long term work.
Rosa plans and hosts Luxembourg pride every year, but they advocate and host events throughout the year. To learn more, click here, to visit their website, and click here, to visit Luxembourg Pride’s website.
To listen to the whole conversation with Nicolas, click here, or listen via the player below.
