Diversity is not a luxury, but a human right
Dear Queers,
dear migrant, refugee and many other BIPoC-queer existences,
I am very happy to be here with you today at the Berlin CSD.
My name is Emrah Gökmen, and I am part of the project "My Family -
Queers in the Migration Society" organised by the Turkish Association in BerlinBrandenburg.
Our project is a place of empowerment, solidarity and
storytelling - for queer people with migration or migration backgrounds
Experienced refugees in Berlin.
But also for their families, friendsand allies. Berlin is a city of diversity. A city in which many people with different identities and affiliations live together. This diversity is its strength - but it cannot be taken for granted. Because we all know that: This diversity is not always protected. And not always valued. Time and again, we are labelled in a simplified way: either just as LGBTQIA or only as migrants -
as if our identities existed side by side instead of together
to be interwoven.
But we are not either-or -
we are more.
We are many.
We are communities that cannot be defined one-dimensionally - and there are
do not want either.
Space for self-determination and empowerment
Our project exists for precisely this reason:
To make the realities of our lives visible in all their complexity.
To normalise them.
To protect ourselves - from violence, from discrimination - and to protect each other.
to empower.
Because there are still so many unanswered questions:
- Why is equality for all still not a reality?
- Why should living together in solidarity be impossible?
- Why can't people simply live their basic rights?
We face these questions with hope.
Because we believe:
Love, solidarity and living together are possible.
Against violence, hatred, queerophobia and racism -
we can only be strong together.
In our project, we tell the stories of queer people with
Experience of flight or migration -
and also those of their families and companions.
We create spaces in which visibility, coming out or not coming out are possible.
Where self-determination counts.
Where access to rights is not the exception, but the norm.
Because:
That is not a luxury.
That is a human right.
This is the new matter of course that we want to shape together.
Because every form of discrimination - whether queer-hostile or racist
narrows the spaces in which we can live, love and develop. - But today - here - at the Berlin CSD, under the rainbow flags, we say out loud
and clear:
Queers with migration and refugee histories are a natural part
of this diverse society.
We deserve recognition. We deserve protection.
We deserve visibility.
And we are not alone with this project.
Our sincere thanks go to: - of Deutsche Aidshilfe, which has invited us today,
- of the State Office for Equal Treatment - against discrimination of the Berlin
Senate Department, which is funding our project, - and our supporting organisation, the Turkish Federation in Berlin-Brandenburg
(TBB) - thank you for your constant support and trust.
Finally, I would like to say to you all:
Don't forget -
we are here.
Just as we are.
With our families.
With our communities.
With our Queerness.
And we are continuing with this project -
to show even more people:
We are neither wrong nor alone.
Thank you.
