Translated with DeepL.
Original language: Deutsch
Dear friends of Anne Klein,
dear Lepa Mlađenović,
dear Monika Hauser,
dear Barbara Binek,
dear guests,
Barack Obama is not only the first Black president in U.S. history; he is also the first U.S. president to use the word “gay” in his second-term inaugural address. And he emphasized that the journey of the American people, which began with the pioneers, will not be complete until our gay brothers and sisters are granted equal legal rights.
There’s also good news for gay and lesbian rights coming out of Europe: In early February, the British Parliament voted in favor of a bill allowing same-sex marriage – both civil and religious (!) ceremonies. The bill passed with a majority of 400 to 175 votes in Parliament. Now only the House of Lords needs to approve it.
France’s National Assembly debated the issue for over 100 hours. Finally, in February, the French National Assembly gave the green light to same-sex marriage and the right to adoption for same-sex couples. Here, too, approval by the Senate is still required.
And in Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court is – once again – the driving force, demanding that politicians grant adoption rights to same-sex civil partnerships under the principle of equality. And there’s more good news: Though far less widely known, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Nuremberg has announced that gay and lesbian asylum seekers who face homophobic persecution in their home countries will no longer be rejected on the grounds that they could simply conceal their sexual identity in their countries of origin.
Finally. All of this is good news that Anne Klein – who would have turned 63 tomorrow and in whose honor we are gathered here today – would have been very pleased to hear.
Nevertheless, far too many people in far too many places around the world are being persecuted, discriminated against, and criminalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identities. That is why the Heinrich Böll Foundation supports – sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly – people and projects in many countries, such as Russia, Lebanon, South Africa, Turkey, and Georgia, that work to combat criminalization and discrimination and demonstrate practical solidarity.
This year’s recipient of the Anne Klein Women’s Prize, Lepa Mlađenović, has a great deal to say on this subject. She knows from personal experience what it means to be stigmatized and marginalized as a lesbian. And she has much to say about how the political struggle for equal rights for gay, lesbian, transgender, and intersex* people is a tough struggle – but one with no alternative – that can sometimes be successful.
It is the fearless and uncompromising activists who – unfortunately, not infrequently at the risk of their lives – bring about social, legal, and political change.
Anne Klein is also one of these courageous pioneers. She was a champion of women’s rights and the recognition of same-sex lifestyles. She refused to accept heterosexual social norms and power structures. She wanted to bring about change. And she knew that social change also comes from the grassroots through political activism and pressure. She played a major role in this.
Even after her death, she continues to support change. She left us the wonderful Anne Klein Women’s Award, through which the Heinrich Böll Foundation can honor women here and now, raise their political visibility, and provide concrete financial support with the prize money.
Her vision has been fully realized through the first recipient of the Anne Klein Women’s Prize, Dr. Nivedita Prasad, who deeply regrets not being able to join us today!
Nivedita Prasad has been advocating for women’s and human rights for many years. She denounces trafficking in women and violence against women and advocates for criminal prosecution and legislative action. And she fights against racism and, above all, against violence against migrant women. She is a truly wonderful woman, and it is a great pleasure to work with her.
Allow me to briefly share how Nivedita Prasad experienced receiving the award. I’ll quote her:
“What was incredible was seeing how far the news about the award spread and, as a result, how ‘my’ issues were discussed and heard even more widely.” The most concrete change: In the fall, the Federal Foreign Office implemented the following: Domestic workers employed by diplomats must now visit the Federal Foreign Office once a year to renew their ID cards – that is, there is now a mandatory interaction with a government agency – and, for the first time, the Federal Foreign Office held an informational event for diplomats’ domestic staff in November 2012. I have been calling for both of these measures for YEARS; I am certain that the attention generated by the award and by Mr. Löning, the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, has contributed greatly to this.”
We are delighted that the Anne Klein Award – entirely in her spirit – is bearing these fruits.
Now, on behalf of the jury – which consists of Renate Künast, Michaele Schreyer, Jutta Wagner, Thomas Herrendorf, and myself – I would finally like to honor this year’s award recipient, Lepa Mlađenović.
Lepa Mlađenović is an intellectual and activist living in Serbia who advocates for peace and human rights. She fights in particular for women’s rights and champions the rights of people whose sexual orientation and gender identity do not conform to mainstream norms.
She fights against violence and militarism and for freedom, human rights, and sexual self-determination. She does this as an activist and co-founder of many organizations and networks, including the peace organization “Women in Black Belgrade,” which is familiar to many of you, as well as the organizations Arkadia and Labris, which advocate for lesbian rights.
Through her tireless and fearless political commitment, she is an inspiration to countless fellow activists in Serbia, the Balkans, and around the world.
We will learn more specifics about Lepa Mlađenović’s work in Monika Hauser’s laudatory speech.
Just this much: We extend our full support and admiration to Lepa Mlađenović. Homophobia is not uncommon in Serbia. According to a survey conducted in Serbia, 68 percent of the citizens surveyed expressed negative views toward LGBTI parades. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed do not believe that sexual minorities should be protected by the state in the same way as other minority groups. A good quarter of the Serbian citizens surveyed consider homosexuality to be a disease.
And you may all recall the LGBTI Pride event that took place in Serbia in 2010 only under adverse conditions – a massive police operation and violent riots by nationalist groups. The fact that it was ultimately able to march through the streets of Belgrade is also thanks to the work and dedication of Lepa Mlađenović. Since then, the parade has been banned on a regular basis, ostensibly to “protect” the organizers. This was the case again last year. Standing up against homophobia can be dangerous.
This is the environment in which Lepa Mlađenović, as an openly lesbian woman, engages in political activism, builds networks, advises, conducts research, writes, and shows solidarity – not only in Serbia, but throughout the Balkans and worldwide.
By awarding the Anne Klein Women’s Prize to Lepa Mlađenović, we want to send a strong political signal against homophobia in Serbia and many other countries around the world – and not just show solidarity with her and her many fellow activists today. Our office in Belgrade will continue to stand by Lepa Mlađenović’s side and support her causes as best we can.
Dear Lepa Mlađenović, the jury of the Anne Klein Women’s Prize is deeply convinced of this: You are a woman who inspires courage. You are a role model for many female activists who are working to combat sexual violence and to promote peace, as well as women’s, lesbian, and human rights.
It is an honor for us that you are our second award recipient. May this award continue to inspire and encourage you in your work.