Burn the patriarchy – Queer-feminist protest – September 16th 2023

As every year, Christian-fundamentalists, the far-right and other reactionary forces from all over Europe come to Berlin on September 16th – and simultaneously to Cologne. They are organizing the „March for Life“ – an event seemingly proclaiming the protection of so-called „unborn life“ and therefore demanding a complete prohibtion of abortion. But hiden behind their family-friendly slogans is an intrinsically anti-feminist, queer-antagonist and authoritarian ideology. Under a civic disguise, they are organizing events white open fort he far-right.

Self-determination?

The upcoming so-called self-determination law is supposed to strengthen the rights of trans, intersex and non-binary people. It is  replacing the discriminatory „transsexual law“ from 1980. Fundamentalists, conservatives, right-wingers and TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) have joined forces and massively attacked the lawmaking process. The outcome: not much left in terms of self-determination. The liberal mainstream and the ruling big coalition have left trans people out in the rain. Fundamentalists have used the publicity around the self-determination law to spread their  ugly, transphobic ideology, desinformation and hatred. With their fact-free „arguments“ they are portraying trans people as violent and dangerous – while claiming all this was happening to „protect women“. In reality, it is especially trans women who are affected by violence. In Germany, assaults in daily life, the public sphere and at home are reported almost daily.

Anti-fascism also means queer-feminism!

Fascism has many faces and is also present in the slogans oft he fundaentalists. This is not only proven by their queerphobia but also in their ideology of inequality. This includes antisemitic comparisons like calling abortion „babycaust“.  Popular conspiracy myths of an abortion industry controlled by feminists secretely planning the „great population exchange“. Or the spread of an idea of care-work deeply rooted in heteronormativity and nationalism. Because for Christian fundamentalists, reproduction is limited to herterosexual relationships, carework is doen by women as patriarchy foresees it and, in the best case, all of this takes places within national borders. Because of this, fighting the „March for Life“ has to be an anti-fascist cause. With the conviction of anti-fascist Lina E. the State has proven once again: we are on our own when it comes to fighting right-wing networks. Repression against anti-fascist movements is on the rise and have many different targets – our alliance has also been affected.

My body, my choice!

Among other things, the success of the protests in Annaberg-Buchholz has shown that counter-actions do work: the organisation „Lebensrecht Sachsen“ dissolved this year, meaning this was also the last of their „silent marches“ in Annaberg-Buchholz. Last year, we could celebrate the removal of §219 from the criminal code. Since last March, a commission is debating abolishing §218 (the law penalizing abortion). §218 ist stigmatizing everyone who opts for an abortion and takes away their right to make decisions about their own bodies without fear of repression. The coalition of SPD, FDP and the Green party is far from an agreement on this issue. We say: Enough oft hat! We are no longer satisfied with false compromises and we are taking tot he streets – in Berlin, in Cologne, everywhere!

Burn the patriarchy

Queer-feminist protest

16. September 2023 | Berlin Mitte

We fight

• for the right to end a pregnancy and easily accessible information (in the terms of jurisdiction: we demand the removal of §218)
• for abortion to become part of medical training and making it mandatory for hospitals to conduct them
• for the coverage of abortions as a mediacl service by health insurances – including coverage for people who are without insurance
• for free contraception for everyone
• for a pregnancy care that is based on the well-being of the pregnant person, not on the idea of a healthy “racial corpus”
• for a society that provides every person – with and without disablities – with the support they need
• for a society in which people of all genders and sexual desires can thrive and live without fear
• for strengthening friendships and chosen families – because we love how and who we want to

If you agree with our demands, take to the streets with us on Saturday, September 16th and stand up for a solidary, emancipatory and anti-fascist society and against the `March for Life´, demanding reproductive rights for all!

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Twitter & Instagram: @nofundis