RESPECT! campaign starts: Olpe district focuses on diversity and respect!

RESPECT! campaign starts: Olpe district focuses on diversity and respect!

In the Olpe district, the “RESPECT!” campaign initiated by AIDS-Hilfe began its extremely important work on Thursday, October 1st. This campaign particularly aims to promote respectful coexistence and combat discrimination. At the opening event in the Olper Kreishaus, numerous representatives of the participating institutions came together to demonstrate their support for the LGBTIQ* community.

In his speech, District Administrator Theo Melcher underlined the fundamental importance of human dignity, which is anchored in the Basic Law. “We must all fight to put human dignity above all else,” he said. The core of the campaign is to build a network of local actors who work together to address the needs of the LGBTIQ* community and publicize existing support offers.

Goals and participation

The main aim of this initiative is to promote respectful coexistence in society and to counteract discrimination. The campaign is aimed at a variety of public institutions and places, including schools, advice centers, public administrations, shops, restaurants, libraries, cultural scenes and sports clubs. As Jana Hansjürgen from the state agency blick* emphasizes, making respect visible in all areas of society is of central importance.

As part of this campaign, eight institutions in the Olpe district have come together to provide local support services. In addition to AIDS assistance, these institutions include the equal opportunities officer, the health department, the anti-discrimination office of the Olpe district, the queer-sensitive pastoral care in the South Sauerland deanery and the women's advice center of “Women Help Women”. The Catholic Social Service for the Olpe District and the Olpe District Sports Association are also among the supporters.

The campaign is an important step to strengthen LGBTIQ* structures in rural areas. In addition, the Olpe district is the first to take part in this important project outside the Paderborn project region. A joint effort aims to increase acceptance and appreciation for different lifestyles and thus create an environment in which every person is respected, regardless of their identity.

The AIDS-Hilfe Olpe District is responsible for coordinating the “RESPECT!” campaign. Those interested have the opportunity to contact the organization directly by email at info@ahoe.de or by telephone at number 02761/40322 to receive further information or to actively participate. This initiative has clearly paved the way to greater respect, and it remains to be hoped that similar projects will also gain a foothold in other regions.