Uproar in Ostrava

This June, the Moravian-Silesian metropolis hosted the second edition of Ostravský měsíc hrdosti (Ostrava Pride Month) – a series of cultural, educational and entertainment events. Judging by the comments under the press release on the Facebook profiles of Ostrava !!! and Magazín Patriot, it initially looked like the city was about to descend into chaos and it would be safer to lock yourself at home and only come out in July. Another group of commenters wanted to send us to conversion therapy, or worse. Among the roughly three thousand comments, however, there were also words of support.

Although public attitudes towards queer people are gradually shifting towards greater acceptance, Ostrava seems to be an exception. Or is it? Can pride festivals somehow influence public opinion?

Come and get to know a new initiative in Ostrava and discuss how these hateful expressions can affect us and how we can deal with them.

The panelists Kamil Kloz – works in social work, spirituality and labour law. He was a mentor at the sbarvouven.cz counselling service and part of the Jsme fér initiative. Apart from 1.5 years spent in Brno, he lives in the Moravian-Silesian Region, and for the last ten years in Ostrava, where he has been co-organising Ostravský měsíc hrdosti with Karel and David for the second year.

Karel Pavlica – lectures at the Department of Health and Social Studies at the Faculty of Social Studies of the University of Ostrava. He is the author of the books Ženy ve stínu and Kočky léčí. He is one of the organisers of Ostravský měsíc hrdosti.

David Věžník – makes a living as a marketer for Ostrava's Kultura Jih and as a freelance copywriter, (copy)editor, proofreader and journalist. He was there when the Bears of Ostrava association was being put together, as well as when the first ideas for Ostravský měsíc hrdosti emerged. In a room with more than one David, he has been going by Badyš since the age of two.

Admission – free

Accessibility – suitable also for teenagers

Vibe check – intimate event (up to around 30 people), quiet event (no loud music, shouting, etc.), requires interaction with the audience or other attendees, seating available, indoor venue

Trigger warnings – queerphobia

Organised by – Ostravský měsíc hrdosti Ostravský měsíc hrdosti is a festival of diversity, respect and equality that turns Ostrava into the heart of queer culture for one month. The aim of the project/initiative is to connect queer people and the general public in the capital of the Moravian-Silesian Region. It aims to entertain, to educate, but also to point out that equal rights are one of the hallmarks of any advanced society.