Homotropolis Winter Issue 2018 by Homotropolis

HOMOTROPOLIS

COPENHAGEN

WINTER ISSUE 2018

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Copenhagen Winter Pride Week offers you talks, debates, workshops, movies and a very big party.

Intersex challenges, reasons why Copenhagen should win EuroGames and the lesbian movement in Denmark.

Lars Henriksen, chairperson of Copenhagen Pride, spoken word artist Sylvia Thomas and 10 Danish LGBT+ women we think you should know.

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it's oh so cold outside . sip on a cup of hot cocoa or heat up that body of yours with your best dance moves.

A look inside 06

Close-up: Lars Henriksen Meet Lars Henriksen, the chairperson of Copenhagen Pride. We caught up with the highly energetic festival manager and LGBT+ front figure for an intimate talk about both pride, rainbow power and the more personal stuff.

Copenhagen Winter Pride Week In February the 4th annual Winter Pride Week takes place in Copenhagen offering lots of human rights debates, naughty workshops, movies, the popular Winter Pride Party and an international intersex conference.

Interview: Sylvia Thomas Meet Sylvia Thomas â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an American transgender woman and spoken word artist who has quite a story to tell about her life as transgender, multi-cultural and a former sex worker. She is one of the main acts at Copenhagen Winter Pride Week.

Intersex 101 As the international intersex conference is hosted in Copenhagen during Winter Pride Week we believe it is in the right place to provide you with a bit of information about intesex and the challenges faced by this part of our community.

10 Danish women you should know about We have handpicked 10 Danish LGBT+ women from both the past and the present that we proudly serve you right here on a silver platter.

And so much more ...

CONTENT Thomas K. Rasmussen (editor in chief) Helle BjĂ¸rnstrup Martin Xaver Dover

COVER Lars Henriksen Look and makeup by Kenneth Egelund

PRINT Johansen Grafisk A/S

DISTRIBUTION Homotropolis is a free magazine available at cafĂŠs, shops, restaurants, bars and organisations in Copenhagen. The magazine is targeted at LGBTQ tourists and citizens in the Greater Copenhagen region. For a complete distribution list please contact crew@homotropolis.com All articles are available online at www.homotropolis.com

HOMOTROPOLIS Issue #1 2018

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Dear reader

Welcome to this winter issue of Homotropolis, proudly coming out just as the 4th annual Copenhagen Winter Pride Week is coming up. From 5 to 11 February a lot of diverse events and activities have been organised by Copenhagen Pride, and even if you do not speak Danish you will find a great selection of talks, movies, debates and workshops as well as the big Winter Pride Party which takes place on Saturday 10 February. You will find a guide to Winter Pride Week inside the magazine. When reading over the magazine you will also discover that we have met up with chairperson of Copenhagen Pride, Lars Henriksen, for an in-depth interview about everything from pride to personal stuff. You can also meet the transgender spoken word artist and activist Sylvia Thomas, who is in Copenhagen for Winter Pride to both perform spoken word poetry and tell her own inspiring story. We have also picked some Danish women that we think deserve your attention, and if you feel unsure about intersex definitions and issues, you might find the answers in our Intersex 101 on page 38. We hope you will enjoy the magazine. Happy Winter Pride! Lots of love from Homotropolis Crew

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CLOSEUP Lars Henriksen

Adorning the cover of this winter issue of Homotropolis is Lars Henriksen, the chairperson of Copenhagen Pride. We caught up with the highly energetic festival manager and LGBT+ front figure for an intimate talk about pride, rainbow power and the more personal stuff. 6

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LOOK BY KENNETH EGELUND Lars Henriksen's Winter Pride look is created by makeup artist Kenneth Egelund. Kenneth is trained by Nicci Welsh and is also known for his drag persona Mariah Freefall.

f you happen to spot a man with quite the impressive moustache wearing a very colourful suit jacket and a neatly tied equally colourful bow tie biking through the streets of the capital, chances are it just might be Lars Henriksen, the nonpareil chairperson of Copenhagen Pride. Since 2013 he has focused on developing the organisation and expanding the activities of Copenhagen Pride which now also include an annual Winter Pride Week in the Danish capital coming up on 5 - 11 February. “The idea of Winter Pride is to create a space for the committed conversation. When we developed the brand initially it was important to us to create a festival with a clearly distinguished identity that stood out from the summer pride festival”, Lars explains.

Human rights and inclusion on top of the agenda Lars was elected chairperson of the board of Copenhagen Pride in November 2013 and the last four years have brought lots of good news and positive development for the organisation. “I think we have achieved three important goals that we set 4 years ago: To engage all of the LGBTQIA community in Copenhagen Pride and make the festival safe and welcoming to all groups. We have seen a growth in participation every year, and I consider this a clear indication that we are moving in the right direction. It is important, however, to not rest on the laurels but instead work to maintain this commitment to true inclusion and diversity. Secondly, we have increased the focus on Copenhagen Pride as a political organisation and Copenhagen Pride Week in August as a human rights festival. I believe that to be the greatest achievement because it has made it evident why pride is still important and relevant. Thirdly, winning the bid for WorldPride in Copenhagen in 2021 is a dream come true and I cannot wait to celebrate love, hope and diversity with all of Copenhagen and the rest of the world”, says Lars Henriksen. The legacy of WorldPride WorldPride in Copenhagen is less than four years out, and Lars hopes and believes that a global mega event such as this will leave behind a lasting legacy and create positive results. “For me personally, World Outgames in Copenhagen in

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2009 remains a memory of – for the first time ever – being part of the majority. Everywhere you looked there were rainbows and same-sex couples holding hands. We really made our mark on the city. And for me it was a truly transformative experience, that showed me the power of visibility and sheer numbers. That feeling is part of what I want to pass on to a new generation of young LGBTQIAs who deserve to know, that they are part of a global, supportive community that is both strong, vibrant, innovative, caring and resilient", Lars says and continues: "Every year after Copenhagen Pride Week we receive letters and emails from people who have felt included for the first time in their lives. Those personal experiences make it all worth it because people are given the strength to deal with their everyday challenges. Obviously, I also hope that WorldPride in Copenhagen in 2021 will push the agenda forward significantly on LGBTQIA issues not only in Denmark but in other countries too. That the event will raise general awareness of our lives and challenges, and that politicians will see this as an opportunity to right all historical wrongs once and for all, and finally ensure that we have full equality and protection for LGBTQIA individuals in Denmark”. Driving the change When you meet Lars Henriksen in person it is impossible not to notice the energy, drive and dedication, and his motivation for working with Copenhagen Pride and joining the organisation in the first place is all about driving a change. “I have always been involved in all sorts of things wherever I lived or whatever my circumstances. It is an integral part of me that if I want something done, then I should get a move on and go do something. I was a volunteer during Copenhagen Pride Week for 8 years in a row before I decided to run for chairperson in 2013, and I did that because I saw a lot of potential in the organisation and because there was a void waiting to be filled". "When I work for other LGBTQIA people’s lives – whether in Denmark or abroad – I work for my own life at the same time. My hope is that the efforts I put into Copenhagen Pride and the work my board has done with me over the years, will hopefully make it a little bit easier for young people to come out and be true to their nature than it was for young people in my generation”, Lars says.

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With privilege comes responsibility Being this much involved in the LGBT+ community and working with pride and diversity have also taught the chairperson some valuable lessons and provided a broader perspective. “I have become a lot more aware of my own privilege as a cisgender, white male. And of the responsibility that comes with privilege. I am not ashamed of my privilege because much of it is down to circumstances beyond my control, but I am responsible for how I administer my privilege. It may seem that many of us share the same prerequisities when we meet in any given situation – at work, in education or during Copenhagen Pride Week – but it is important to understand and be aware of the fact that we have not all taken the same route to get here. For some the road is a lot longer and with more obstacles than for others. Often the start signal is given before everyone has even reached the starting line, and for those who start out far behind it is less likely that they will end up in the front. Therefore we must give ourselves the task to try to get everyone on board, and work to eradicate these structural disadvantages that some people face”, Lars explains, while underlining the importance of recognising that each group and each individual face its own specific challenges. “Just take a look at the LGBTQIA community. Even under the acronym there are some groups that are discriminated against more than others – both legally and socially – and these must be our most immediate concern and responsibility. And apart from regarding people as groups, each individual person is unique and has their own set of talents and challenges too”. Many fascinating stories Lars also feels lucky to have gotten to know so many different people through his work at Copenhagen Pride, and having an open mind is key to enlightening encounters. “When you take the time and actually sit down and listen to people it is amazing how many fascinating stories and experiences there are in our community, and how many incredibly strong people there are. I wish we could be better at not prejudging others and instead allow ourselves to actually get to know one another. I feel very blessed for being allowed into so many people’s confidence”.

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As for Lars himself, he is a living proof that fascinating stories are abound in our community. He has been a school teacher, a farmer and an opera singer in the past and even wrote a book about a special Danish dog breed at some point. So what is it that triggers him to throw all his energy into a project? “I wish to do something good and something just, and I want to do it well. I was brought up with a sense of obligation, I think. Obligation to talent and privilege. To put to good use whatever you were given. And from my grandmother I got a strong sense of community. That sharing is caring, as the word goes. She was never a wealthy woman, but she always had something to give out and anything could and should be shared. She was not philosophical about it. She lived the example, that I am trying to follow. Solidarity was an important word in her vocabulary and her nature. Additionally, I am just easily agitated and turned on

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by many things. And often, I am more content with the way things turn out, if I sense, that I have had an influence on how they were planned and executed”. LGBT+ rights under pressure So for the time being, Lars Henriksen is putting his strong sense of community and his wish to create change into excellent use as the chairperson of Copenhagen Pride, and while Denmark in 2018 at first glance might seem to be a happy and content rainbow country, there are still numerous battles to fight and plenty of reasons for why pride is still necessary. “Even in Denmark who is number 5 on the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index of LGBT inclusion, we still only score 68% out of a possible 100. We, who are in the absolute elite when it comes to not discriminating against LGBTQIA individuals, still have a third of the way to go towards full equal-

ity and protection. That tells you a lot about how dire the situation is around the world. And history has shown us in recent years, that hard won rights and privileges are not universal and unalienable, as we had been taught, but can be denied us again a lot easier than they were granted us, if the political climate changes. We have seen this in Russia and a number of Eastern European countries very directly, but even in a country such as the United States, LGBTQIA rights are currently under pressure. This is distressing, it is worrying and it should be a battle cry for our movement. The minute we become complacent, or stop insisting on our rights to respect and equality, we are tread under foot. It is pivotal, that we keep insisting, that we remain visible and vocal, and that we stand united – across groups and across national borders. It is human rights we are fighting for, and they are not a relative concept. We have got to insist, that regardless of where you live or who you are, you are born human and are therefore entitled to respect, protection under the law and equal opportunities. The minute we divert from that, we have lost some of our own humanity. Copenhagen Pride is part of a global community of prides and each and every one of us are a brick in the foundation, we are build-

ing for our common home as members of a global family of LGBTQIA people”. What comes after pride? It goes without mentioning that Lars Henriksen plans to remain the front person of Copenhagen Pride at least until after WorldPride in 2021, but what are his plans further out in the future? What could possibly follow a pride career? “Honestly, I have not thought that far ahead. I am thoroughly happy about what I do right now. I am a political person and an activist at heart, so I cannot imagine to not work to improve lives for myself and others. I hope that opportunities will present themselves over the next years, that will guide me to where I am to go. But if you look back at my life, I have never followed what you could call a planned career or looked to gain neither financial nor other kind of prestige. I am adaptable, open and energetic, and generally I am always the happiest when doing exactly what I do at that moment. I don’t regret any of what I have done, and I am very open to new challenges. But a clear driving force for me, is that it must be fun and meaningful. Money does not provide an incentive in my world. It is a means, not an and”.

I have become a lot more aware of my own privilege as a cisgender, white male. And of the responsibility that comes with privilege. I am not ashamed of my privilege because much of it is down to circumstances beyond my control, but I am responsible for how I administer my privilege.

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Lars Henriksen Off the record

e also got the chance to sit down with Copenhagen Pride’s chairperson for a more personal Q&A. While the questions were really quite short, the answers – as expected – were not. Here comes the good stuff we bet you did not know about Lars Henriksen. So, Lars, do you have a boyfriend?

I do! He is one of the kindest and most patient people I know. We have been together for a year, and I should probably look very far and wide to find a person who is more different from me, than he is. We are simply each others juxtapositions. Had he not approached me, I am positive, that we would not be together today. I owe it all to him. I am terrible at the flirting and dating game, so I am very grateful to him for his direct advance. I learn from him all the time because of our completely different life experiences and backgrounds. He is very self-reliant, and I admire him immensely for what he is able to do. As he is not from Copenhagen, he had no idea of who I was when we met, and thus had not formed an opinion of me. I think it has liberated me in his company,

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to be able to be just Lars and not the chair of Copenhagen Pride. I sometimes have a tendency to be ambitious on other people’s behalf and he is good at telling me to mind my own business, and allow him to decide for himself. I do my best to lend him support for what he wants and not try to influence him towards my own agenda. I need a person, who doesn’t take me too seriously, and thankfully he filters me well. We still conduct a long distance relationship, but hopefully that will change in the not so far future. Your style in clothing is very Unique. where do you buy your outfits? Anywhere, as long as they are on sale. The advantage of a somewhat quixotic wardrobe, is that often what I want is what is left over from a season and that will then go on sale in the following season. So basically the key is to wait. And dress timelessly, haha! I have, however, had a certain penchant for Moods of Norway – but apparently not sufficiently to keep them in business. Much to my dismay they went bankrupt last year.

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Describe a situation that you never in your wildest dreams could imagine you would have found yourself in. When we first moved into the countryside, my ex-husband and I, and started farming, our first sow had quite the unique personality. Her name was Sif, named after the renowned pig in Pontoppidan’s short story, “Et Grundskud”. We didn’t have much experience as farmers at the time, and as she was our only sow to begin with, we developed a quite pet-like relationship with her. She was very good natured, and in her first litter had 13 piglets. Second litter consisted of 17, which was a bit of a problem, as she had only 14 functioning tits, which meant that the piglets were constantly struggling for nourishment. The runt of the litter was about half the size of the others and stood no chance in the competition. I was of the opinion, that nature should be allowed to run its course, but when my boyfriend found her ice cold and lifeless on the floor of the sty, he took pity on her, and brought her in to the house and placed her on a pillow in front of the fireplace to heat her up. We had a male Dachshund at the time, who took an immediate interest in her, and snuggled up next to her, and before long she started to warm up and stir and twitch. As I had imagined, the maternal feelings in my boyfriend were by this point extinct, and it fell to me to feed her with formula milk when she woke up – which happened around the clock. This meant that I hardly got any sleep, as she would wake me up hourly with a disgruntled scream, and not quiet down till I had left the bed, gone to the kitchen, heated the bottle and fed her. Then she would go back to sleep with a most satisfied expression on her little face until it all repeated itself 45 minutes or so later. After 3 sleepless nights, I had had it. Something needed to change. When piglets are with their mother, they massage the utter of the sow for a few minutes to entice her to give up the milk. They will franticly push away at her with their small pink snouts, and the instant the milk begins to flow, they all calm down and start to suckle peacefully. This knowledge would become my salvation. I decided to move Sylvia, as she had now been named, into my bed, in the hollow of my armpit, and when sleeping on my side, the bottle could rest in my hamstring and be kept at

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body temperature through the night. In her sleep (and most importantly: before she started wailing), Sylvia would start pushing her snout into my armpit as if to entice me to give up the milk, by which point I, half asleep would grab the bottle, stick it in her mouth and let her drink her fill. She would silently doze off again and so would I. This went on for the better part of 4 weeks. I brought her everywhere. To work, I worked at a retirement home at the time as a nurse’s assistant, and at Christmas I even brought her to my family in Holstebro causing quite a stir on the ferry. She got photographed, as my grandmother was circling the Christmas tree with her in her arms Sylvia survived, grew up to be a very large pig, and was like one of the dogs. She would come on all walks, and in everything behave like she was part of the pack. We were quite the spectacle, when we walked the neighbourhood with 4 dogs, 2 cats and Sylvia. I had never imagined I should ever be sharing my bed or celebrate Christmas with a pig. If you could pick only one LGBT novel which one would that be? This is a very difficult question. I have found that I have related differently to different novels at different times in my life. Often when the plot has somehow resonated with me on a personal level. My top 5 would probably (in random order) be: The Well of Loneliness, Maurice, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Front Runner and The Thief’s Journal. Probably this selection also bares my age to all. Do you possess a very specific skill that noone would expect you to have? I am quick at castrating piglets and have actually been involved in the castration of both stallions, bulls, rams and billygoats as well as pigs. To not worry anyone unnescessarily, I should probably assert, that it is a skill that I rarely apply in my present circumstances. No call for alarm. But with 250 sows on free range at one point, I sort of got the hang of it. What do you think your friends find most annoying about you? That I am loud and opinionated. I can be quite intense. Un-

personal favorite quotes In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. By Martin Luther King Jr.

They ask you not, when snuffed out be your lanternâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final light, if you did loose or did prevail, but if you stood to fight. Oskar Hansen.

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fortunately, I am prone to stand on principle, which can make me come off as a bit hardheaded. I sometimes think I would make a lousy politician, as I find it difficult to settle for less, when I believe justice is on my side. Pick one Danish person that deserves a public statue. Axel Axgil. I am very reluctant when it comes to accepting that people are judged retrospectively for their actions. Surely Axel made mistakes in his life, and at times misjudged situations or chose to support the indefensible, but all that does not take away from the fact that no single person has done so much and suffered so much for the liberation of all of us, and he should at least be acknowledged for that. Remember that the only people who never make mistakes are those who never do anything. Hindsight is a weapon for the self-righteous. I would also love to see a statue of Mathilde Fibiger. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if she was, in fact, herself a lesbian, but her fictional character Clara Raphael has strong lesbian views and characteristics, and at the end of the day that is probably all the more impactful. Regardless of her sexuality, her influence on the liberation of women cannot be underestimated, and she should be honored for this. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Absolutely and completely. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it is possible to work for one minority at the expense of other marginalised groups. To me, feminism is a theoretical framework, that enables us to be better at what we do and to continually analyse ourselves and our own practices in the context of privilege and power. In every situation we find ourselves in, we are more or less privileged compared to others. To be aware of your own privilege, and thereby when you hold an advantage over another, is a powerful tool when you want all people to be able to realise their full potential. Space is not something a person should fight for, but something we should strive to make for one another, by stepping backwards a little to allow others to occupy the space you have left open. That, to me, is what feminism is all about, and it can be applied universally.

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For a first-time visitor in Copenhagen what would be a must-see?

I absolutely adore Copenhagen – no matter the season –

and there are so many places and things I love and find noteworthy. I think, if I know the tourists, the first place might be Regnbuepladsen with the rainbow flag. Every time I pass there, I am reminded that we live in a city that publicly and openly is declaring that we, as LGBTQIA individuals, are welcome and treasured citizens. That makes me both happy and proud of my city. After that probably the Tower of Christiansborg. Not only is it free of charge (which sadly most of the museums have ceased to be), it is also a symbol of the open and accessible democracy that we continue to enjoy in Denmark and which we must safeguard at all costs.

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And from the tower, the view is spectacular and gives you an excellent vantage point to understand the city layout. What are your personal favorite quotes? “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends”, which is a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. The other one is from one of my favourite song writers and poets, Oskar Hansen, and it goes like this in my own translation: “They ask you not, when snuffed out be your lantern’s final light, if you did loose or did prevail, but if you stood to fight”. This quote is hanging on the mirror in my bathroom, to remind me every morning what is important to live by.

Homoware Larsbjørnsstræde 11 1454 København K

69 69 66 66 info@homoware.dk www.homoware.dk

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copenhagen winter pride week 2018 Monday 5 — Sunday 11 February

From 5 - 11 February the 4th annual Winter Pride Week takes place in the Danish capital, this year with both debates, naughty workshops, movies, the popular Winter Pride Party and an international intersex conference. Copenhagen Pride has once again organised a Winter Pride Week with an interesting program – also for those of you who prefer English language to Danish. We have selected some of the events here to guide you to some of the stuff that we think you might not want to miss. The full program for Winter Pride Week is available in an English version via copenhagenpride.dk. Sylvia Thomas in Copenhagen Chances are the name Sylvia Thomas might not ring a bell just yet, but rest assured that it is only a matter of time before this working class, NativeIrish American, queer, transgender woman, poet and activist from Indianapolis will be heard loud and clear

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within the LGBT+ community. Sylvia Thomas has a lot to say, and she is not afraid to take the words right out of her own mouth and serve them as loud, inspiring and empowering spoken word poetry. On Tuesday 6 February you can experience Sylvia Thomas live at “Copenhagen House of Poetry” where she will be performing her own poetry, and the following day, on Wednesday 7 February, you can meet her in Studenterhuset where she will share her personal story and views on the world garnished with selections of her own poetry and finally on Thursday 8 February she will share her poetry at the Poetry Lounge – Get slammed and get glammed – at Studenterhuset.

WHERE & WHEN Poetry Reading by Sylvia Thomas Tuesday / 06.02.2018 / 19.30 - 21.00 Poesiens Hus (Copenhagen House of Poetry), Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, the basement, Oslo Plads 1, 2100 Copenhagen An Evening with Sylvia Thomas Wednesday / 07.02.2018 / 17.00 - 18.00 Studenterhuset, Købmagergade 52, 1150 Copenhagen Poetry Lounge with Sylvia Thomas Thursday / 08.02.2018 / 19.00 - 19.45 Studenterhuset, Købmagergade 52, 1150 Copenhagen

Severe intersex issues This Winter Pride Week provides you with a chance to learn more about the challenges and lack of basic rights that intersex people experience. On Thursday 8 February a debate takes place in Studenterhuset focusing on how we can stop intersex people from being harmed in the name of medical science and how to provide better health care, more safety, equal rights and protection for intersex individuals. Both OII (Organisation Intersex International) as well as Amnesty Denmark and the Danish Institute

for Human Rights will be represented The following day, on Friday 9 February, an international public hearing about intersex rights takes place in Christiansborg – the Danish parliament. Topics include intersex 101, health care needs, the current situation in Denmark, recent developments and research, panel debates, public debates and lectures. Access to the hearing is free but limited, and it is necessary to sign up for the event beforehand. More info in the English program on copenhagenpride.dk.

WHERE & WHEN Debate: International Intersex Conference Thursday / 08.02.2018 / 17.00 - 18.00 Studenterhuset, Købmagergade 52, 1150 Copenhagen International Hearing about Intersex Rights Friday / 09.02.2018 / 10.00 - 17.00 Christiansborg, (Danish Parliament), Rigsdagsgården, 1218 Copenhagen

Rope Bondage 101 The German rope master Frank will be in Copenhagen on the occasion of Winter Pride to give an introduction to bondage. If you are curious to learn more, and feel like getting inspiring tips and tricks to ropes and knots, then this workshop might just be something for you. Tickets are 90 DKK and can be purchased via the Facebook event “Workshop: Rope Bondage 101”.

Photo: rope-phantasies.com

WHERE & WHEN Workshop: Rope Bondage 101 Saturday / 10.02.2018 / 10.00 - 15.00 Studenterhuset, Købmagergade 52, 1150 Copenhagen

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Proud movies on the big screen The cinema Empire Bio serves you two great movies to warm your heart and rainbow soul on Saturday and Sunday, and whether you are interested in a trans or lesbian theme there is a movie for you. On Saturday 10 February the movie “Anything” starring out and proud actor Matt Bomer in the role of a transgender sex worker will be shown in Empire Bio. “Anything” is directed by Timothy McNeil and has been the subject of quite the controversy due to the fact that a cis actor was once again casted for a transgender role. Sunday afternoon you can head to Empire Bio to watch “My Days of Mercy” starring the openly lesbian Ellen Page as the daughter of a death row inmate who falls head over heels in love with another woman, Mercy, whose family are supporters of the death penalty.

WHERE & WHEN Movie: Anything Saturday / 10.02.2018 / 15.00 Empire Bio, Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 Copenhagen Movie: My Days of Mercy Sunday / 11.02.2018 / 15.00 Empire Bio, Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 Copenhagen

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45 clowns and a rainbow Arken Museum of Modern Art invites you inside Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s dreamscape inhabited by 45 hyperrealistic clowns, rainbows and a six-metre tall olive tree with the title “Vocabulary of Solitude”. Rondinone is often using the rainbow as a symbol of the freedom to love who you love. And after experiencing Rondinone’s installation you can also enjoy some of Czech Art Nouveau artist Al-

phonse Mucha’s beautiful posters who are exhibited during the same period. Both exhibitions are open all week within the museum’s usual opening hours.

Denmark is far from equal enough On Thursday in Winter Pride Week you can join a debate focusing on why Denmark only scores 68% on ILGA-Europe’s annual review of the human rights situation of LGBTI rights in Europe. What still needs to be done in Denmark, and why is the pace so slow? If we all agree that 100% equality should be the goal, then why don’t we just go through with it? Meet representatives from ILGAEurope and the Danish Human Rights Council who will discuss how to move forward.

Official Winter Pride Party To finish off Winter Pride Week in style and flying rainbow colours, Copenhagen Pride is inviting you to Pumpehuset on Saturday for the Winter Pride Party which features DJs, drags and popalicious Eurovision songs. This would be THE choice for a party this weekend, and tickets are on sale via billetto.dk, but can also be bought at the door.

WHERE & WHEN Is 68% satisfactory? Thursday / 08.02.2018 18.15 - 19.15 Studenterhuset, Købmagergade 52, 1150 Copenhagen

WHERE & WHEN Exhibition: ARKEN 06 - 10.02.2018 / 10.00 - 17.00 ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, Skovvej 100, 2635 Ishøj

WHERE & WHEN Official Winter Pride Party Saturday / 10.02.2018 23.00 - 04.00 Pumpehuset, Studiestræde 52, 1554 Copenhagen Entrance: Presale 140 DKK. (plus fee). Door 200 DKK.

For additional information about Copenhagen Winter Pride Week 2018 go to copenhagenpride.dk

Photo: Stefan Altenburger homotropolis

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sylvia thomas Transgender, multicultural and former sex worker Sylvia Thomas is an American transgender woman who doesn’t just want to share her story, but needs to. She grew up in a multicultural household and temporarily lost her family after coming out. She made her way as a sex worker through which she found her community. While working to survive, Sylvia kept herself alive by writing. She wrote about what she went through, what she had witnessed, and her experiences. She went on to articulate her experiences on the streets and at open mics. Eventually she enrolled into Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where she finished her studies to receive a Bachelors in History. Sylvia is one of the main acts at Copenhagen Winter Pride Week 2018.

ylvia spent her early up-bringing on a Native American reservation in Oklahoma, USA, and moved to Indianapolis where she currently resides. Her mother came from an Irish family and her father is coming from a Native American background and she was raised in an environment that embraced the outdoors and nature in a spiritual way. ”I grew up hearing stories from my father. I was encouraged to create by my mother, whether it was art, stories, music or poetry”, Sylvia explains when asked about her up-bringing.

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”When coming to Indianapolis, I learned more about American culture and its treatment to people who were different. It was an adjustment for my family. Especially coming out in a new environment”. Coming out as transgender Sylvia is a queer, transgender woman. When coming out to her parents the relationship got complicated and it took some time for them to gain knowledge and understanding of Sylvia and her gender identity.

”When coming out as transgender, most parents are angry or ashamed but my parents were afraid. They didn't know how to interact with me, they thought that something was wrong with me. They believed I needed attention and care that they could not provide. Thus, my parents did not address my identity with respect”, Sylvia explains and continues: ”However, with time, patience, and the willingness to educate themselves, they became more supportive of who I am. I eventually moved back to living with them. As a young person who is transgender, I had fear of not being taken seriously for my identity, since I wasn't considered mature. However, through self-affirmation I was able to get past these thoughts”. Community through sex work After coming out her parents did not know how to support her and she learned to provide for herself through sex work – a job that helped her find her way into a supporting community. ”I was with a client who led me to another transgender woman like me and I learned that I wasn't alone. I found my community through sex work, a commu-

”

I found my community through sex work — a community that supported themselves and found empowerment in each other. homotropolis

We were transgender women who were given money for being ourselves and our bodies. Although it may seem like a contrary position because men seemed to have control of our bodies and our finances, but I felt empowered by feminism with what I was doing.

nity that supported themselves and found empowerment in each other, Sylvia recalls. ”We were transgender women who were given money for being ourselves and our bodies. Although it may seem like a contrary position because men seemed to have control of our bodies and our finances, but I felt empowered by feminism with what I was doing”. A strong community voice Sylvia is currently enrolled as a full-time liberal arts college student and has also been a Social Justice Scholar at Indiana University studying history. When asked why she studied history as a spoken word artist, she says: “I chose to study history, not because I enjoy the subject, but I wanted to know how I can change it and make sure that everyone’s story is told.” She has become a strong political voice in the local community and has taken her personal story to a political level. ”Being transgender in Indianapolis is the definition to how the personal becomes political”, Sylvia explains while digging into how politics has played a significant role in worsening the lives of LGBTQ+ people across the US. ”Our current Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, used to be the governor of Indiana. Under his reign, he supported policy that harmed LGBTQ+ populations, such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which allows individuals and companies to assert that their exercise of religion has been, or is likely to be, substantially burdened as a defense in legal proceedings”. She exemplifies this by explaining that business owners are legally allowed to deny LGBTQ+ people due to religious beliefs. ”It is clear that in Indiana, as LGBTQ+ people, we were isolated from creating change. We feel as isolated as people currently do under Trump’s reign. Transgender people in Indiana are not surprised by the acts of our current national leadership, because we have expected nothing less from our current Vice President”, Sylvia says. Being transgender is political Sylvia is working to improve lifes of LGBTQ+ persons on a local, political level. She has worked with other student leaders on her campus to provide an LGBTQ+ Center along with establishing all gender restrooms. She has been featured and

homotropolis

has facilitated panels focused on student involvement, sexual assault and LGBTQ+ youth. In addition, she is a part of various social and advocacy groups in the Indianapolis community focused on people with queer and/or transgender identities. Sylvia underlines that it is extremely political to be out as transgender in Indianapolis, and a strong trans community is vital. ”Our transgender community has each others back. We come from different classes, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, but are able to unite and be there for one another. Transgender community is very sacred to transgender people”. She is juggling two jobs to make a living and besides her studies she is dedicated to her craft of performing spoken word poetry – a craft she will bring to Copenhagen Winter Pride Week 2018 where she will be performing and telling her story. Sylvia’s mission as a spoken word artist is to empower people to tell their stories, especially those who are marginalised and oppressed. To fulfill her mission, she shares her own story through spoken word poetry and storytelling. “People should recognize how their story can create change and ignite self-empowerment.”

SYLVIA THOM AS ON COPENHAGEN WINTER PRIDE Sylvia is one of the main acts at Copenhagen Winter Pride Week where she will be performing with her spoken word poetry at both Studenterhuset and Poesiens Hus (Copenhagen House of Poetry). See more about Winter Pride Week on page 20.

You will be performing during Copenhagen Winter Pride Week in February 2018. Tell us a bit about what you plan on sharing with the Danish crowd. I am very excited to be performing during Copenhagen Winter Pride 2018. I’ve performed for a diverse international audience before, but I have never performed for a predominantly Danish crowd. I look forward to connecting with my LGBTQ+ family on an international level through my spoken word poetry. I plan on sharing poetry that I have written through the challenges and triumphs of my experience coming out as transgender, being a former sex worker, the power of pride and our commu-

nity’s history, and living in an intense United States political climate. I also look forward to bringing printed copies of my poetry exclusively for Winter Pride attendees to buy. What do you look the most forward to when visiting Copenhagen? I look forward to exploring the city and museums with whatever free time I have available, meeting and building a community with LGBTQ+ people in Copenhagen, and I look forward to making close relationships with people. I’m honored to come to Copenhagen and just be there, I am very thankful and blessed.

transgender becoming was never a moment it was a life of standing in the mirror a little bit longer and thinking of the details no one ever knows about living required truth an honesty and reflection that people have died from but i wanted to live and in order for me to do that i had to be lost not wander i had to be lost which made me very afraid and sad and lonely and never the same again but i am now free if i wandered the same life and body and name i would have only wondered and wandering a wonderful thought is not a free dream being lost was the way i was able to be myself and i hope that i am never found. - Sylvia Thomas

homotropolis

open for brunch, lunch, dinner & drinks

2 5

S O C I A L

L O G O

2 5

S O C I A L

L O G O

M E D I A

C O L L E C T I O N

Café Norden

M E D I A

C O L L E C T I O N

cafe_norden

Open everyday from 8:30 – 24:00. Serving from 8:30 – 21:00. (friday until 22:00)

Café Norden Østergade 61, 1100 Copenhagen www.cafenorden.dk homotropolis

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GET IN TOUCH CREW@HOMOTROPOLIS.COM

32 32 homotropolis

COPENHAGEN

CITY MAP

Know your way around Copenhagen & Malmรถ

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7. MEN´S BAR Teglgårdsstræde 3 1452 Copenhagen mensbar.dk 8. Monastic Hauser Plads 32 1127 Copenhagen mensbar.dk 9. MY FAIR LADIES Mikkel Bryggers Gade 11 1460 Copenhagen facebook.com/myfairladiescph 10. never mind bar Nørrevoldgade 2 1358 Copenhagen nevermindbar.dK

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5. KISS KISS BEAR BAR Studiestræde 41, basement 1455 Copenhagen facebook.com/BearClubCPH

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BARS & NIGHTLIFE 1. CENTRALHJØRNET Kattesundet 18 1458 Copenhagen centralhjornet.dk

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11. OSCAR BAR CAFÉ Regnbuepladsen 7 1550 Copenhagen Oscarbarcafe.dk

CRUISING 20. Ørstedsparken Nørrevoldgade 1 1358 Copenhagen

14. JAILHOUSE RESTAURANT Studiestræde 12 1455 Copenhagen jailhousecph.dk 15. KAFÉ KNUD Skindergade 21 1159 Copenhagen kafeknud.dk 11. OSCAR BAR CAFÉ Regnbuepladsen 7 1550 Copenhagen Oscarbarcafe.dk 16. restaurant kronborg Brolæggerstræde 12 1211 Copenhagen restaurantkronborg.dk

SHOPPING 17. HOMOWARE Larsbjørnsstræde 11 1454 Copenhagen homoware.dk

theatre & events Bøssehuset Mælkevejen 69D 1440 Copenhagen boessehuset.dk 21. Warehouse9 Halmtorvet 11C 1700 Copenhagen warehouse9.dk

information 22. Checkpoint København Vestergade 18e, 4 1210 Copenhagen aidsfondet.dk/hivtest 23. Copenhagen Pride Knabrostræde 20, st 1210 Copenhagen copenhagenpride.dk

Please visit Copenhagen Pride Headquarters located in the heart of Copenhagen for more information about what our beautiful city has to offer. We´re nice and offer free coffee and wifi. Visit copenhagenpride.dk for more information.

FETISH & SEX CLUBS

missing?

18. AMIGO SAUNA Studiestræde 31 1455 Copenhagen amigo-sauna.dk

Do you belong on one of our maps?

BODY BIO Kingosgade 7 1623 Copenhagen bodybio.dk 19. SLM COPENHAGEN Lavendelstræde 17 1462 Copenhagen slm-cph.dk

13. cock’s & cows Sankt Peders Stræde 38 1453 Copenhagen cocksandcows.dk

CAFEs & RESTAURANTS 12. VELA Viktoriagade 2 1655 Copenhagen velagayclub.dk

Please contact us at crew@homotropolis.com to get a spot on the LGBTQ city map of Copenhagen and Malmö.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE 1. BEE BAR Södra Förstadsgatan 36 211 43 Malmö beebar.se 2. Red Shoe Drottninggatan 36 211 41 Malmö redshoe.se WONK

4 c inkatlas.com, OpenStreetMap contributors. Skeppsbron Map data April 18, 2016. 1:14400 (1 cm = 0.144 211 20 Malmö wonk.se

the church same-sex marriage the sequel

homotropolis

n recent months the same-sex marriage debate has once again surfaced in Denmark. The latest twist to the debate is the discussion on the part of the legislation allowing individual ministers to reject to marry same-sex couples if it is against their religious beliefs and interpretation of the bible. A minister is then legally allowed to reject carrying out the ceremony and refer the couple to another minister. The debate heated up when a new survey was published showing that 20 percent of Danish ministers will not marry same-sex couples. The survey of 876 ministers was conducted by the Danish national news channel TV 2 in late 2017. The discussion falls on the fact that the current legislation allows ministers as public employees of the Church of Denmark to discriminate against a specific group of citizens based on their sexuality by refusing to marry them. Politician Tommy Petersen (B), holding a seat at the Copenhagen City Council, urges the Church Minister to get involved in the debate. He believes that all ministers refusing to marry same-sex couples should be laid off. ”It's totally unacceptable that priests employed by the government working in the Danish Church can refuse to officiate a wedding between gay people. It's institutionalised discrimination and the Government should change the rules to ensure equal treatment of all citizens”, Tommy Petersen states to Homotropolis and continues: ”Unfortunately, the Government is not willing to stop this discriminatory practice, so I've started a webpage where people can report on places where priests refuse to wed gay people. This way, gay people might be able to avoid the humiliation from being rejected by a public priest by going to another church”. In the wake of the debate the parochial council of Brønshøj Church located in Copenhagen Municipality took a clear stand in their latest job listing published on January 3 in which they highlighted that all applicants to the vacant position as minister should be ready to marry same-sex couples.

Survey Ministers on marrying same-sex couples.

80%

will marry same-sex couples

20% won't marry same-sex couples

Source: TV 2

Church weddings for same-sex couples

2013

268

2015

364

363

2012

378

371

2014

2016

Source: Danmarks Statistik / Figures from 2017 will be available on 14 February 2018

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intersex 101 01

What is the definition of intersex? The term intersex covers a wide range of natural variations in gender anatomy, that means variations in genitalia, reproductive organs, gender chromosomes, hormonal structures and secondary gender characteristics that vary from the binary perception of male and female. From a medical point of view 42 different diagnoses are considered as being within the spectrum of intersex.

How many are born intersex each year? It is estimated that 1,7 % of a population is born intersex

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Is intersex a gender identity or a biological state? It is a biological or hormonal state. The above mentioned variations can be present from birth or occur later in life. They are not in any direct or binary way linked to a specific gender.

How do you determine the gender of an intersex person? By asking the person and allowing them to define themselves. A person who is intersex can identify as male, female, both or neither.

How may intersex people experience discrimination - socially and legally? We don't have any exact figures on that. Simply, because no survey has ever been made to determine this. What we do know, however, is, that when Amnesty Denmark in 2016/17 conducted a survey of the access for intersex people to adequate and safe health services in Denmark and Germany, they had an extremely difficult time finding people, who were willing to partake in the survey, and thereby speak openly (even under the guise of anonymity) about their intersex status, because the stigma surrounding being intersex, was so very, very strong.

What are the main challenges intersex people face today in Denmark? Ignorance - and the prejudice that follows along with invisibility - and thereby silence and a feeling of isolation. Access to health care and perhaps most importantly proper protection against unwanted or uncalled for surgical interventions.

AdvokAtfirmAet krarup juridisk rådgivning kØb Af fAsT ejeNdoM & ANdeLsboLig strafferet kontakt advokat kim krarup for en uforpligtende snak om dine juridiske forhold på 3313 4567. advokatfirmaet krarup • VodroffsVej 61 • 1900 frederiksberg WWW.krArUP.As • WWW.krArUP-iNkAsso.dk • 3313 4567

homotropolis

history lesson When the Danish lesbians united Denmark’s very first lesbian organisation was founded back in 1974 out of a need to separate from the Danish Redstocking Movement which did not fully accept and understand the problems and challenges of lesbian women.

hroughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s, the Danish women’s rights movement was loud and strong, demanding equal pay for women and better treatment both at the workplace as well as in the family. The movement was commonly known as the Redstocking Movement, and within the organisation there was a strong lesbian fraction who were not only figting for women’s rights, but also for homosexual rights. The group of lesbian Redstockings did not feel accepted and included in the general women’s rights movement, and the specific problems of lesbian women were not properly addressed. Growing frustrations meant that actions needed to be taken in order to not have the lesbian agenda overlooked within the more general Redstocking Movement, and this resulted in the foundation of “Lesbisk Bevægelse” - the Lesbian Movement – in March 1974. 40

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Empowerment and lesbian camps With this organisational move, lesbian women’s rights could no longer be ignored, and while the newly born Lesbian Movement shared the same political goals as the original Redstocking Movement, it also focused specifically on lesbian rights, equality and recognition. While the Copenhagen-based group was the most active, subgroups existed all across Denmark, and the Lesbian Movement organised courses, arranged biweekly open meetings in “Kvindehuset” (The Women’s House) in Copenhagen and made (ir)regular publications and magazines for lesbian women focusing on themes such as coming out, discrimination and self-empowerment. The Lesbian Movement also organised annual summer camps on Danish islands such as Femø, Avernakø and Se-

jerø where women congregated to discuss politics, take part in various workshops and simply enjoy the safe, inclusive space that these island camps offered. The Lesbian Movement dissolved gradually throughout the 1980’s along with the Redstocking Movement, and by 1985 most lesbian activism – and the continued fight for equal rights for women who love women – was organised and carried out by the national organisation LGBT Denmark. The women’s summer camps, however, still exist to this day, and recent years have seen women of all genders and sexualities hop on the tiny ferry to the island of Femø. And while we are on the subject of women’s power, you can find a selection of Danish women on the following pages that we think deserve your attention.

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danish women

YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT We have handpicked 10 Danish LGBT+ women from both the past and the present that we proudly serve you right here on a silver platter.

LILI ELBE

The real Lili Elbe became one of the first people in the world to undergo sex-reassignment surgery, and was a very skillful and succesful painter up until her transition. Lili Elbe went to Germany in 1930 to have her surgery carried out, and while the operations were initially quite succesful, Lili Elbe died in the fall of 1931 after a final operation which was an attempt at implanting a uterus. The LGBT+ film festival MIX Copenhagen has named several of their annual awards in Lili Elbe’s honur. 42

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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Chances are you have watched or heard about the 2015 movie “The Danish Girl”, a fictionalised account of Lili Elbe’s life that received criticism for casting a cisgender man (Eddie Redmayne) to play a transgender woman.

ANNE LINNET The uncrowned queen of Danish pop music and one of the biggest lesbian icons in Denmark. Anne Linnet, who is now 64 years old, has been a household name in Danish music since the 1970’s and is openly bisexual, having been married and in relationships with both women and men throughout the years. Linnet has 7 kids and is currently in a relationship with the 26-year-old Kathrine. Her song “Smuk Og Dejlig” (recorded under the name Shit & Chanel) is about Anne Linnet’s crush on the Danish actress Ulla Henningsen and it has become quite the lesbian anthem. Other must-hears are “Barndommens Gade”, “Tusind Stykker” and “Glor På Vinduer”.

Photo: Simon Wedege Petersen

HANNAH BJARNHOF Writer and actress born in 1928 who played everything from Electra to numerous cabarets.

Photo via dr.dk

Bjarnhof did not publicly come out as lesbian until the late 1990’s, but when she finally did it happened on national TV, and for that she was given the Lesbian Award of Acclamation (Lesbisk Jubelpris) by LGBT Denmark in 1999. Hannah Bjarnhof died in 2002, and a proposal to name a new square in Copenhagen in her honour was discussed and later rejected in favour of the name Regnbuepladsen – The Rainbow Square – which is now situated right next to the City Hall with the rainbow flag permanently flown.

homotropolis

MIANNE BAGGER Danish professional golfer who has been residing in Australia since the age of 12. By playing in the Women’s Australian Open in 2004, she became the first openly transitioned woman to ever compete in a professional golf tournament.

Photo: Pvt pauline

Bagger has lobbied and campaigned for transgender eligibility in golf throughout her career, and has been a driving force in having bylaws amended in golf associations so that being “female at birth” is no longer an entry condition. Mianne Bagger remains both a succesful golfer and an activist for full inclusion of transgender individuals in the sport and a better acceptance of gender variance.

ROSA LUX

Photo: Good Evening Europe

DJ, singer and producer who rose to fame in 2011 with the release of her debut album Monsters which included the biggest mainstream hit so far, “Min Klub Først”, featuring Danish singer Alberte Winding and her daughter Josephine Winding. Most recently, Rosa Lux – who herself is lesbian – was starring in the production of “Monster” in Copenhagen, in which she was singing live on stage throughout the play, while the tragic story of lesbian serial killer Aileen Wuornos unfolded. Rosa Lux took her name in honour of the Polish-German philosopher, feminist and revolutionary socialist Rosa Luxemburg.

SANDRA DAY A legend within the Danish gay subculture throughout the 1980’s, Sandra Day was a trans actor, stripper, bookseller and brothel owner who even managed to add recording artist to her CV posthumously, with the release of her solo album “Sing - Don’t Cry” in January 2011. The album came out with mixed reviews on her 72nd birthday, but unfortunately Sandra Day herself passed away one month earlier, making the post-funeral gathering a release party at the same time. Sandra Day got her first breast implants in 1970, but the procedure was really badly carried out resulting in one breast being remarkably bigger than the other, which made Sandra name her breasts Bismarck & the Thalidomid Titty. In 2007, Sandra Day’s autobiography “From Hickerbilly to Whip Queen” was published.

homotropolis

ANNE KEJSER TV and radio host who became famous back in 2009 with the candid camera comedy show “Slemme, slemme piger” (Bad, Bad Girls), in which she pranked men on national tv along with female comedy colleagues Kia Liv Fischer and Maria Egede. Anne Kejser is openly lesbian and currently living happily in Jutland with her girlfriend, photographer Mette Heiring, and their 3-year-old daughter. Throughout her career, Anne Kejser has remained vocal and open about her sexuality, and for the last couple of years she has hosted her own radio show on the DR radio channel P1 simply called “Kejser”.

LEONORA CHRISTINA SKOV Danish author, literary critic and public debater who has just released an autofictive novel dealing with her personal struggles of coming out as lesbian to non-accepting parents and breaking free from a controlling family environment. Leonora Christina Skov’s first novel came out in 2003, and since then she has repeatedly chosen to step forward as a lesbian and tell her own story. In 2008 she was named “Rainbow Person of the Year” by Danish organisation LGBT Denmark. Privately, Leonora Christina Skov is married to science journalist Annette K. Nielsen and they live together in Frederiksberg.

homotropolis

NATALIE ZAHLE Born in 1827, Natalie Zahle was a pioneer on women’s education and launched a programme for the training of female teachers in 1851 (the very first of its kind in Denmark). While the personal life of Natalie Zahle might be open to alternative interpretations, it is a fact that she lived with different women throughout her life, and during the more than 30 years she spent with Ingeborg Vinderen, it was common for Natalie to refer to herself as the “husband” and Ingeborg as the “housewife”.

MUNCHIES?

Sarah Glerup

Openly lesbian politician, cartoonist and singer who participated in Danish X Factor in 2016. Sarah is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and became the first Danish MP to also be a wheelchair user. Sarah Glerup went all the way to the live shows in X Factor where she nailed Goldfrapp’s “Strict Machine” and the Depeche Mode classic “Enjoy the Silence” by singing through her respirator. Her main motivation for participating in X Factor was to prove to the world that you can do what you want, as long as you put your mind to it.

Photo: Tonje Eliasson

Politically, Sarah Glerup is a member of the Red-Green Alliance (“Enhedslisten”).

homotropolis

GOT THE DRUNK MUNCHIES? To fit the creatures of the night, say welcome to: NATMAD. At Cock’s & Cows Kødbyen the kitchen is open till 01:30 Friday and Saturday and the cocktail menu is longer than John Holmes’ John. Get in, get yours: book your late night seating in Kødbyen! Book a table and order take away at cocksandcows.dk

KØDBODERNE 9 1714 COPENHAGEN V

Around the world

USA / New religious freedom rule may be implemented USA / Ellen Page gets hitched

Actor Ellen Page, who came out as lesbian in 2014, announced her marriage to Emma Porter on Twitter and Instagram in the beginning of 2018. The couple has been dating for 6 months and Page’s caption read: ‘Can’t believe I get to call this extraordinary woman my wife. @emmaportner’

homotropolis

The Trump administration is looking into the possibilities of implementing a new “religious freedom” rule that would allow healthcare workers to refuse to treat LGBT patients. The rule would also allow workers in the healthcare industry to deny care to a woman seeking an abortion or to treat people with hiv or AIDS or any other service they morally oppose.

Bangladesh / 3rd gender added to voting forms In late 2017 the Bangladesh Election Commission added a third gender of ‘hijra’ to its electoral enrolment forms. In South Asia 'hijra' is a term used for people who were assigned male at birth but identify as female. The decision was made when trans woman Nadira Begum ran for office, and the move to add 'hijra' to voting forms came four years after 'hijra' was officially recognized as a third gender by the Bangladeshi government. According to Bangladesh’s Social Welfare Ministry about 10,000 people identifying as hijra live in Bangladesh.

Russia / 83% consider gay sex "reprehensible" A newly released poll from the Levada Center found that 83 percent of Russians regard sex between people of the same gender as "always reprehensible" or "almost always reprehensible." 1,600 people participated in the survey that asked for opinions on issues like sexuality, extramarital sex, and abortion and data was collected from different parts of the country. The results showed that only 8 percent of those polled had no problem with gay sex.

Australia / Same-sex marriage bill passed

India / Gay prince throws open his palace doors to LGBT people Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, 52, is building an LGBT center on the grounds of his ancestral palace in Rajpipla in western Gujarat state, India. The center will offer rooms, a medical facility and training in English and vocational skills to help people find jobs. "People still face a lot of pressure from their families when they come out, being forced to marry, or thrown out of their homes. They often have nowhere to go, no means to support themselves,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation and added: “I am not going to have children, so I thought, why not use this space for a good purpose?” Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is the only openly gay prince in India where same-sex relations are illegal.

On 7. December 2017 Australia became the 25th country in the world to legally recognise same-sex marriage. The fight for marriage equality in Australia has been an ongoing battle for human rights organisations for years. Prior to the parliament passing the samesex marriage bill a two-month national postal survey was carried out showing 61% in favour of same-sex marriage, while 38% voted against.

homotropolis

Halmtorvet 11A-F, 1700 Copenhagen

Come meet the Warehouse9 crew and friends for a queer night dedicated to indie. More info is most probably to come, and you can stay updated on the Facebook event: “Queer Indie Bar w/ WH9 DJs & Friends”.

SATURDAY 17.02 / 20.00 - 02.00 Warehouse9

Queer Indie Bar

Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen

The snow has chosen to fall especially in Tivoli, transforming the Gardens into an enchanting winter wonderland with jolly snowmen, glittering frost crystals and ethereal light. Every Friday throughout February you can strap on your skates and Party on Ice at Tivoli’s new skating rink - and on Saturdays you can dance cheek to cheek at Dance on Ice.

02.02 – 25.02 Tivoli

Winter in Tivoli

Grønttorvet 104, 2500 Valby

Mainstream's queer parties aim to create a safe space for everybody. This Mainstream is called “Demolish Everything” because it will be the last Mainstream party to be held at Grønttorvet 104. You need to attend the Facebook event to be added to the guestlist. Simply go find the Facebook event: “Mainstream - demolish everything”.

SATURDAY 24.02 / 22.00 - 05.00 Grønttorvet

Mainstream

Various venues

Vinterjazz (Winter Jazz) is the annual jazz music festival that takes place in February. The festival spans three weeks and serves you live jazz in numerous venues not only in Copenhagen but all across Denmark. International highlights include Randy Newman, Omar Souleyman and Nils Frahm. For more info: jazz.dk

02.02 – 25.02 Various venues

Winter Jazz

10 things to do this winter

STAFF PICKS

SEASONAL QUEER

Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 Copenhagen

parties

The daughter (Ellen Page) of a man on death row falls in love with a woman (Kate Mara) on the opposing side of her family's political cause. This movie of particular lesbian interest is screened as part of Copenhagen Winter Pride Film Days 2018. Tickets are 85 DKK and can be found via the Facebook event “Winter Pride Film Days 2018”.

SUNDAY 11.02 / 15.00 – Empire Bio

My Days of Mercy

Studiestræde 52, 1554 Copenhagen

Copenhagen Pride’s official Winter Pride Party will be packed with pop, queens and Eurovision and usually attracts a mixed crowd of all genders. DJs and drag queens will entertain you with the best of Danish and international ESC tunes and lots of delicious pop music. Tickets are 140 DKK via Billetto and 200 DKK at the door.

SATURDAY 10.02 / 23.00 - 04.00 Pumpehuset

Winter Pop Party

Kompagnistræde 34, 1208 Copenhagen

Female Oxygen invites you to a stateof-the-art party for women. DJ Krisser and DJ Deborah will serve you the tunes that will bring that body of yours to the dance floor. Tickets are 100 DKK at billetto.dk and 120 DKK in the door.

SATURDAY 10.02 / 20.00 - 02.00 Drop-Inn

Shut Up and Dance Women MOVIES

Nordisk Film cinemas in Field’s and Falkoner, Valby Kino + more.

Romantic coming-of-age drama directed by Luca Guadagnino starring Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet. In Northern Italy in 1983, seventeen year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father's research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape.

Premieres on 1 February in selected cinemas

Call Me By Your Name

Vester Voldgade 10, 1552 Copenhagen

Lady Gaga // Joanne World Tour hits Copenhagen on February 17th. Draghouse and G-A-Y are celebrating by dedicating a night to Lady Gaga. Expect all of Lady Gaga hits and don't be surprised if a drag queen or two serve up some GAGA realness. GAY has normal opening hours.

saturday 17.02 / 23.00 - 05.00 G-A-Y Copenhagen

Lady Gaga Party

Viktoriagade 2-4, 1655 Copenhagen

The Danish singer-songwriter and political satirist Karina Willumsen performs live at Vela, giving you an intimate evening with great songs, lesbian propaganda and political satire. She sings in Danish, but we are sure you will enjoy this night no matter what. Tickets are 95 DKK via Billetto but can also be bought at the door.

friday 09.02 / 21.00 - 23.00 Vela

Karina Willumsen live

Copenhagen Winter Pride Week 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 11 February 2018 A week packed with human rights debates, networking, performances, and parties for the lgbtqia community. Venue Studenterhuset KĂ¸bmagergade 52 1150 Copenhagen 52 homotropolis

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Selected events 06.02

The (business) case for norm-critical organising

07.02

An evening with Sylvia Thomas

08.02

Debate: International intersex Conference

08.02

Is 68% satisfactory?

08.02

Poetry lounge with Sylvia â&#x20AC;&#x201D; get slammed and get glammed!

10.02

Workshop: Rope Bondage 101

Program at copenhagenpride.dk Hosting WorldPride in Copenhagen 2021

from denmark

PRIDE RECORD Copenhagen Pride broke all records once again with around 300,000 people attending the annual Copenhagen Pride Week and more than 30,000 paradegoers.

TRANSGENDER VICTORY Transgender was removed from the list of mental disorders on 1 January 2017 thus making Denmark the first country in the world to no longer define being transgender as a mental illness.

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Photo: Tadeusz Hynek

RAINBOW HIGHLIGHTS in 2017

HER M A JEST Y The beloved Queen of Denmark included rainbow families in her annual New Year’s Speech (without actually saying the word). ”A family is not necessarily the same today as it was a generation ago. I think a recognition has emerged that not all families consist of father, mother and children. There is more variety today, but also more broad-mindedness and tolerance”, said Her Royal Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark during the last hours of 2017.

WORLDPRIDE Copenhagen Pride won the bid to host WorldPride in the Danish capital in 2021. In Spring 2018 Pan Idræt will bid to host EuroGames. The joint event will go by the name Copenhagen 2021 and take place from 12. — 22. August.

GESTEN PRIDE The people in the village of Gesten in Jutland rose against a local right-wing politician who publicly referred to homosexuals as “deviants”. Anni Grimm, the politician in question, also criticised the LGBT+ communities’ need for prides and parades, and her comments were not only met by a gigantic shitstorm but also by the enterprising citizens from Gesten who quickly organised Gesten Pride as a protest. Gesten Pride took place on August 26 and attracted around 1,000 guests.

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6 reasons why Pan IdrĂŚt should host EuroGames 2021!

Pan Idræt is in the running towards becoming the host of EuroGames 2021, and the final vote is just a few weeks out. Here’s a few reasons why Pan Idræt believe that they would make a perfect host and why Copenhagen would be the perfect host city!

01 Pan Idræt has the experience! Founded in 1984, Pan Idræt has more than 30 years of experience in bringing the LGBTQ community together in inclusive sporting events. Due to the fear of HIV and AIDS, gay men were often rejected from mainstream swimming teams, and so they got together and formed their own club. That small group of gay men has grown into an association with more than 900 members, altogether playing more than 25 sports. Indeed, Pan Idræt has the organisation and capacity to put on an awesome EuroGames! Add to this their experience from hosting EuroGames in 2003, contributing to World OutGames 2009 and celebrating their 30th anniversary by hosting the international Pan Games tournament. It should be clear to anyone that Pan Idræt will be the perfect host of EuroGames 2021.

02 The politicians are on board! The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen and all six Deputy Mayors from both sides of the aisle are supporting Pan Idræts bid to host EuroGames 2021. Even the Danish prime minister on behalf of the whole government has expressed his support for this bid. This kind of institutional support for an event like this is extra-ordinary and sends a clear message: the politicians are on board! On top of their support, the politicians have pledged to help Pan Idræt in putting together a professional and top-notch event.

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03 There’s a sport for everyone! With more than 25 sports so far included in the program of EuroGames 2021, there’s a guarantee you’ll find something of your liking. Whether you prefer team sports or oneon-one competitions, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, whether you’re here to make new friends or break records, you’ll have fun! With everything from e-Sport, curling and bridge to ballroom dancing, water polo and handball there’s a sport for you! There will also be several levels provided in most sports so that beginners and pros alike can challenge themselves and enjoy the games.

05 Joining forces with WorldPride! EuroGames in Copenhagen will not be an isolated sporting event. As Copenhagen Pride is hosting WorldPride in 2021, the plan is to have EuroGames and WorldPride merge into one, global mega-event named Copenhagen 2021. It will be a spectacular celebration of love, sportsmanship and LGBTQ rights! Indeed, LGBTQ athletes from all over the world travelling to Copenhagen will not only find top-notch sporting events, they will also find themselves emerged into the playfulness of pride, and when they leave the court after a long day of competitions, they can indulge in the host of opportunities that will be Copenhagen 2021.

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04 #YouAreIncluded! As LGBTQ events such as EuroGames often end up attracting many male athletes, we’re putting in effort to make sure that people from all letters of the acronym will have a good time. We’re planning to set up a dedicated women’s space to make sure that women taking part in this event do not feel left out in venues dominated by men. For the games and competitions, we’re looking at ways to make sure trans, intersex and non-binary athletes can take part, too. We will engage with activists from these communities to receive advice, and when official bodies put obstacles in our way, we will engage in a constructive dialogue, challenge their policies and try to find solutions to make EuroGames as inclusive as possible.

06 We’re fighting discrimination! As a part of EuroGames 2021, Pan Idræt plans to host a sports leader conference to break down the barriers holding LGBTQ athletes back. By empowering LGBTQ clubs around the world and promoting the inclusion of athletes at all levels of participation, we wish to combat discrimination and foster more inclusive and diverse athletic communities. We want to give athletes and coaches of all ages and all sports, recreational and competitive, the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively run successful sports clubs and combat discrimination in their own local leagues and in international tournaments as well.

THEME NIGHTS

SLMCOPENHAGEN The largest fetish club in Scandinavia

Entrance between 10 - 00 For more information see www.slm-cph.dk

FULL FETISH PARTY Dress Code: Fetish Gear Only

February 10th

Open every weekend MORE INFO AT: WWW.SLM-CPH.DK

STOLT HOVEDSPONSOR IGEN I 2018