Vandals destroyed Vienna's first public exhibit commemorating those persecuted under the Nazi regime due to their sexual identity the night before its scheduled opening June 14. Almost all parts of the exhibit, set up on Vienna's Hero Square, were knocked out of their bases.
Only a few days before, the Austrian government had refused to recognize lesbians and gays persecuted between 1938 and 1945 as victims of National Socialism. Such recognition would have entitled those who so suffered to certain social benefits, including financial assistance.
Vienna, the scene of this year's Europride parade on June 30, has been celebrating Pride month this June. The final parade is scheduled to end at Hero Square, the largest square in the city center.
Austria certainly seems to be enduring a schizophrenic phase, when one considers that Vienna's mayor, Michael Haeupl, has stressed the importance of a strong participation in the Pride events.
"While a right-wing conservative government is attempting to roll back the wheel of time in Austria, Europride will make the Austrian population aware of the issues and government discrimination of people who are 'different.'
"One thing is clear time and again: the only thing needed to reduce prejudice and win people over is a confident appearance."
Europride was first celebrated in London in 1992. Since then it has been held in Berlin ( '93 ) , Amsterdam ( '94 ) , Copenhagen ( '96 ) , Paris ( '97 ) and Stockholm ( '98 ) . Last year, instead of a Europride parade, World Pride was celebrated in Rome.