The nature lovers whistle the rainbow flag on their huts. For some it is a nice, colorful sight. A soothing sign for others, a symbol of tolerance. Since its foundation 130 years ago, the association, which was founded from the workers’ movement, has been committed to the connecting values diversity, solidarity and equality.
“Especially at a time when the social exclusion is unfortunately increasing again, it is important to us to show attitude. We also represent an inclusive openness on the mountain and invite all people, regardless of origin, gender or sexual orientation, to feel welcome and secure on our huts,” emphasizes Günter Abraham, Federal Manager of Nature Friends Austria. Just in time for the Pride month and the beginning of the hiking season, the first flags in the huts are blowing.
Against any form of discrimination
The historian Erich König also tells about the resistance to the Nazi regime, which brave nature lover organized on the mountain huts. The tourism and leisure club was persecuted, expropriated and finally prohibited. This part of history still obliges the organization to face any form of discrimination. Naturfreunde Queer have also been on the road since 2024, for example with a hiking group that specifically aims at LGBTQIA+ people in Vienna.
Rainbow flag: visible promise for protection and refuge
The nature -friendly values are anchored in the mission statement: solidarity, democracy, equality, anti -racism, inclusion and human rights. With the colorful flags in the huts, this attitude is to become a reality once again.
For queer people, a rainbow flag indicates a place where they don’t have to hide. The rainbow flag hung up the rainbow flag on the Salzburger Gaisberg: “No matter what gender, what sexual orientation or gender identity-all of us are welcome, we cannot prevent people from experiencing bad experiences-but we can show that diversity is lived with us at the Salzburger Gaisberg.
In this way, nature lovers want to strengthen the sense of community and self -confidence of queer people on the mountain. The nature lover slogan “Berg Frei” gives a emphatic note, because the rainbow flags make it clear that the right to recreation in the countryside really applies to everyone.
OTS original text press release with the exclusive in terms of content of the sender – www.ots.at | T35