Wednesday, 17. 5. 2017

International photo exhibition of the Rainbow Cities Network

On 17 May we are observing the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) with the aim of overcoming prejudices against lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT) and admonishing violence and discrimination the LGBT community is faced with because of such prejudices.

The City Hall is going to hang out the rainbow flag for the day and the City of Ljubljana is going to honour the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia by publishing the international photographic exhibition of the Rainbow Cities Network as its member. This year’s exhibition titled Families features 16 rainbow cities. One of them is Ljubljana with the photo Darja, Tibor and Jedrt taken on the Butcher’s Bridge – »love lock bridge« – by Jasna Klančišar.

Wolfgang Wilhelm, the exhibition coordinator, wrote on the occasion: "The Rainbow Cities Network (RCN), which today includes more than 30 cities, was established in 2013 on occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). The network aims to discuss local approaches in equality and anti-discrimination work for LGBTIQ persons, to learn from each other, and to develop joint strategies.
As a joint project, the Rainbow Cities have organised a photo exhibition with the title “Families“ on occasion of IDAHOT on 17 May 2017: Sixteen cities participate and provide one photo each for the international exhibition.
Families have special meanings for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
All too often, our family of origin stands for non-acceptance, conflict and rejection, rather than for a safe haven where we find love and emotional security. The original family is a frequent source of conflict and denial, and often “belonging to a family” becomes a subject of lifelong yearning. For many of us, friends become our chosen families, our new home. In a family, people take care of each other – though many LGBTIQ people do not experience this feeling until they become part of the LGBTIQ community. The community makes us feel that we belong; it gives us appreciation, love, and a chance to talk about everything – not in spite of who we are, but on the contrary: because of who we are. It is where we can be ourselves, get in touch with our feelings, and develop our full potential as individuals.
In the past years, rainbow families have increasingly come out into the open, emerging from the shadows of a society that has long failed to see them. More and more LGBTIQ people long to start a family, with biological children, stepchildren, foster children or adopted children. They show that queer life and parenthood are not mutually exclusive, and can indeed become an asset for our society.
Families are important for each and every one of us – and as different as the colours of the rainbow. But one thing holds true for everyone: family is where love is."

You are invited to view the exhibition presenting diverse families in different rainbow cities.