In Vienna’s Ramperstorffergasse, opposing forces collide. In the building number 39 sits Qwien, Austria’s largest queer cultural center, with exhibition spaces, a library, an archive, and a research center. Just a few doors down, the far-right “Identitäre Bewegung” runs an event and training center, internally referred to as a “patriotic center.” The venue operates “as a training, networking, and event space for far-right extremists. Here, racist, sexist, and homophobic—indeed, dehumanizing—ideologies are spun and spread,” states a petition from Vienna-based politicians. The petition urges the Austrian Interior Ministry and the Vienna Police Directorate to shut down the association’s premises. But so far, they have not been successful.
The Identitarians and other right-wing groups in Austria present themselves with confidence and aim to stage a large summer demonstration on July 25. The plan includes allowing far-right extremists from other European countries—such as Germany and Italy—to travel to Vienna. The police have not prohibited the march. The right-wing action has sparked widespread outrage. To attract as much attention as possible, the far-right intends to move through central Vienna, stopping to hold rallies at several well-known squares in the city center. In preparation, the Identitarians plan to celebrate the eve of the demonstration at their Ramperstorffergasse club.
Drag shows in front of the right-wing club
But queer activists intend to spoil the right-wing party. The operators of Qwien, together with other organizations and parties, are inviting people on July 24 to a counter-demonstration featuring a colorful street festival right in front of the right-wing club’s door. The program includes drag performances and live music. Drag queens and drag kings are a central part of the queer community. They demonstrate that gender roles are learned by society and not biologically fixed; this makes them a particular focal point for the rights’ antagonism.
“We will not remain silent when dehumanizing ideologies are spreading in our neighborhood. Instead, we celebrate diversity, collaboration, and solidarity with a nonpartisan demonstration and a street festival,” say Qwien and allied organizations. They aim to build on last year’s success, when hundreds of people came out to protest the right’s march. In addition to Qwien, the green party the Greens, the Left Party (DieLinke), SPÖ, the liberal Neos, and the KPÖ will participate in the colorful street festival opposing the right-wing group.
FPÖ entanglements with Identitären
In recent days, Austria has been roiled by connections between the queer-hostile Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the Identitarian Movement, which the country’s domestic security service classifies as far-right. “Not a day goes by without another Identitarian in the FPÖ ranks making headlines—and the entire parliament feels unsettled,” said Yannick Shetty, an openly gay member who leads the liberal Neos faction. “Only a few weeks ago the Blues claimed their group included only ‘lupenreine Demokraten’ [strictly clean democrats]—in reality, FPÖ lawmakers have, for years, hired members of the constitutional-essence movement.” He is calling for security checks on FPÖ staff in Parliament. “No one wants neo-Nazis and Identitarians walking in and out of the Hohe Haus!”
Similarly, ÖVP constitutional spokesman Wolfgang Gerstl commented: “The renewed separation of an FPÖ parliamentary staffer with Identitarian ties is not a one-off incident but part of a long string of highly problematic events in the party’s parliamentary environment. Those who downplay warnings from the constitutional protection agency and who praise ‘lupenreine Demokraten’ only to distance themselves from the next staffer reveal a serious credibility problem and threaten democracy.” Gerstl added, “The Identitarian Movement is right-wing extremist and anti-democratic. Every democratic party must distance itself from such groups. When the FPÖ brings its advocates into the heart of our parliamentary democracy, it is playing with fire.”
SPÖ federal secretary Klaus Seltenheim reminded readers that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl had previously referred to the Identitären as an “endorsable project” and an “NGO from the right.”
Alice Weidel: Feels at home in the FPÖ’s orbit
In Austria, the queer-hostile FPÖ rose to become the strongest party in recent parliamentary elections. The party recently celebrated an anniversary at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace and at a “People’s Festival” at Stephansplatz. Among the guests were AfD chief Alice Weidel, former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and other representatives of Europe’s right-wing parties. Weidel said she was “proud to be in Vienna” at the event with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl. She described herself as feeling “at home in the circle of the FPÖ” and noted the “positive energy” in their ranks.
The FPÖ regularly generates controversy with numerous queer-hostile actions. For example, a FPÖ politician once tossed a Pride rainbow flag in the trash (as TheColu.mn reported). Like the AFD in Germany, the FPÖ opposes many rights for queer people, including same-sex marriage. Last year, a FPÖ politician advocated banning Pride events (CSD) in Austria (as TheColu.mn reported).
