That was the Pride Parade Salzburg 2025
Yesterday (6 September), more people than ever before marched through Salzburg to demonstrate for the rights of the queer community in Salzburg and elsewhere under the slogan ‘Be visible, darling!’ This was the Pride Parade Salzburg 2025.
A first at the Pride parade in Salzburg: for the first time, the Mayor of Salzburg, Bernhard Auinger, took to the microphone at the start of the parade and emphasised how important diversity is for the city of Salzburg. He also stated that Salzburg is definitely a safe space for queer people. The appearance was brief, but the message was clear.
When you think about it, the idea of diversity is ingrained in the DNA of the World Heritage city of Salzburg. Without multicultural input, the city’s diverse cultural life would be unthinkable. And indeed, Salzburg was fully geared up for the queer community’s biggest holiday.
The Salzburg Transport Authority announced disruptions on routes crossing the parade route, and the police car leading the parade displayed the words ‘Pride Parade’ in neon lights. The most natural thing in the world. This brings to mind Conny Felice, managing director of HOSI Salzburg, who spoke in a 2023 queersalzburg.at interview about wanting to meet urban society on equal terms. It looks like a success.
Another first this year was that, before the parade started, the organising team informed visitors in German and English that participants should contact the awareness team – recognisable by their brightly coloured vests – in the event of disturbances or attacks from outside. This was certainly due to the ever-increasing polarisation in Western societies. For example, there have recently been targeted disturbances at Pride events in eastern Germany.
The parade started half an hour late, and it quickly became clear that this Pride parade was the largest Salzburg had ever seen. At Mirabellplatz and the rainbow-flagged Staatsbrücke bridge, the parade paused for speeches and a minute’s silence. The tenor was the increasing polarisation of society, for example in neighbouring Hungary, in the USA, but also in Austria itself.
At the rally at the end of the parade at Nonntal University, Conny Felice emphasised once again how important it is that society does not allow itself to be divided and that, no matter how wide the divides are, we must talk to each other. A conciliatory appeal in times when many are arguing and acting in increasingly irreconcilable ways. This makes it all the more important for the queer community to show itself and stand up for its rights – Be visible, darling!
Article: Peter Goebel, photos: Carina Karolus
Priscilla – Queen of the Desert
The film and musical ‘Priscilla – Queen of the Desert’ tell the story of two drag queens, Mitzi and Felicia, and a trans woman, Bernadette, who travel through the Australian outback in an ageing bus called ‘Priscilla’ to put on a show in Alice Springs. The musical will premiere at the Salzburg State Theatre on 6 December 2025, directed by Ramesh Nair. [Read more]
Salzburg and winter sportsWhether as a winter sports instructor in Flachau or as …
Der Salzburg Queer Guide 2026 für die LGBT Community ist jetzt erhältlich: 68 Seiten voller Infos und Events zum queeren Salzburg. Hier bestellen und per Post ins Haus kommen lassen. Hier geht‘s zum E-paper.
Salzburg Queer Update
7 June 2026 Gigi’s new project – a bar crawl through Salzburg’s bar scene – kicked off the day before yesterday. It’s impressive to see the creativity...
Frida’s world
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist who painted many self-portraits as a result of her tragic life story. As a Marxist, she was an important voice in Mex...
Salzburg shows colours
From the Stonewall Riots in New York to rainbow flags in Salzburg. Although there are still just under three months to go until the Salzburg Pride Fes...
Elisabeth Fuchs
Elisabeth Fuchs founded the Salzburg Philharmonic 25 years ago and has been its principal conductor ever since. Over the years, she has built up a wid...
