There is a storm of reactions regarding the display of a gay parade poster in Athens that depicts a national symbol. The poster reflects an evzone and in the background there is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier saying, “Gay, lesbian, amfi and transvestites are everywhere ‘. Some consider that the aesthetics clearly violate million of Greeks. Others wonder why the organizers want to cause a scene in this way and not try take the world on their side with different means. However, there are some who say, that the organizers will profit from provocation.
Nikos Zervos, one of the most subversive Greek directors said, “this is just a matter of bad taste,” commenting on the graphical part of the poster, without making any racist implementations.
John Zouganelis, stated in a state of fury at ‘ Espresso ‘ newspaper on the slogan ‘everywhere’, “the Unknown Soldier is not everywhere! You should think very hard before you call him or provoke him.”
Basia Trifylli, had her own opinion, “the usage of the evzone and the Unknown Soldier, whether homosexual or heterosexual, or anything, is simply going way beyond the line.” She thinks they deliberately went to this extreme, in order to show that homosexuals are everywhere. Everywhere, meaning no matter if you do not express it, regardless if they do not announce it. It is entirely their right to be open or not. However, they must also find a way to fight.
Stathis Psaltis, one of the oldest classics in satire comedy on stage said, “we live in a democratic and free country, everyone can expresses himself as he sees fit, as long as, he isn’t offended nor offends others.” “In the way the world is today, there is no ethos, authority or order.”
The Festival takes place under the auspices of Athens Pride and begins on Saturday 5th of June at 6: 00 p.m.
This parade began as a recollection of the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York, where for the first time transvestites, gay and lesbian fight against the suppuration of their sexuality.
Journalist, Grigoris Ballianatos, spoke to ‘ Espresso ‘ and answered to the critics of the poster. The poster is the ‘free’ view of the artist, but also for a well-intentioned viewer it indicates a comical point regarding the placement of the parade. Gay, lesbian, and transvestites of Greece of 2010 are citizens who know how to claim their rights. Mr. Ballianatos invites the Government to meet its obligations, for what it has promised to this people.
Referring to the Festival he added, “slowly, slowly we become keen with the idea that they are moving around us every day. We simply don’t remember. We forget. And many are injured and challenged.” So, that’s why the motto this year is “we are everywhere”.
In the artistic program of the Festival, DJs Zerobank, George Spiliopoulos, Erwin, Tamta and superstar of the evening Elena Paparizou will perform.
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