Celebrating diversity: Street festival in Mariahilf starts Vienna Pride Week!

Celebrating diversity: Street festival in Mariahilf starts Vienna Pride Week!

On June 7, 2025, the street festival “It's not wrong the other way around” will be celebrated in Esterhazygasse in Vienna between Mariahilfer Straße and Damböckgasse. This event marks the celebratory start to Vienna Pride Week and begins at 2:00 p.m. Admission to the event is free and barrier-free access is guaranteed. District leader Markus Rumelhart emphasizes the motto “Together in Mariahilf”, which sends a strong signal for diversity and against discrimination against LGBTIQ people. The street festival aims to increase the visibility of the LGBTIQ community and provide a platform for education about gender identity and sexual orientation. Numerous local associations and initiatives from the LGBTIQ community are taking part in this event.

The program begins with a DJ opening by drag queen BloodsugarXo. Over the course of the afternoon, various artists will take to the stage, including STiXX with a drum performance, Crystal O with live singing and the band QUERFUNK, which is the headliner of the event. The full program is as follows:

• 14:00 – 15:00 Uhr: DJ-Opening mit Drag Queen BloodsugarXo
• 15:00 – 15:20 Uhr: STiXX – Frauen trommeln
• 15:20 – 15:40 Uhr: Eröffnung mit Markus Rumelhart und weiteren Gästen
• 15:45 – 16:05 Uhr: Crystal O (Live Gesang)
• 16:10 – 16:30 Uhr: kleinabaoho (Deutsch-Pop)
• 16:35 – 16:55 Uhr: Einhorn (Indie-Funk)
• 17:00 – 17:20 Uhr: dermitaziach (Quetschn EDM)
• 17:40 – 18:25 Uhr: QUERFUNK (Pop/Rock)
• 18:30 – 20:00 Uhr: DJ-Closing mit Naughty Night DJ-Team

Background and meaning

The street festival is not only a celebration, but also a political statement at a time when LGBTIQ rights continue to be threatened in many parts of the world. In countries like Iraq, same-sex relationships are punishable by up to 15 years in prison, while in Uganda the anti-homosexuality law even provides for the death penalty for “serious homosexuality”. Such laws and discrimination mean that LGBTIQ people are often subject to violence and intimidation. Amnesty International reports numerous negative developments and an increase in discriminatory rhetoric, particularly in countries such as Hungary and Turkey, where Pride events are being suppressed and participants are being attacked.

Against this background, the street festival in Vienna is particularly important. It symbolizes solidarity and the need to stand up for the rights of the LGBTIQ community. The initiators of the festival and the city of Vienna show that they are actively fighting discrimination and promoting equality. Those interested are invited to attend this festival and find out more about the topics of gender identity and sexual orientation. Further information is available on the city of Mariahilf website.

Vienna.at reports that the event will be a unique experience for the LGBTIQ community and all supporters. Also 5min.at emphasizes that the street festival sets an important example for a colorful and diverse society. Informed about the global situation of LGBTI rights Amnesty International, which highlights the challenges and progress in the global LGBTIQ movement.