Queer history meets right-wing extremist neighborhood in Vienna-Margareten!

Queer history meets right-wing extremist neighborhood in Vienna-Margareten!

On Wednesday, June 9, 2025, the Center for Queer History (Qwien) will open a new location in the Vienna-Margareten district. This center will become an important focal point for anyone interested in queer history and the rights of LGBTQ+ people. But the neighborhood poses challenges: in the immediate vicinity is the Rautenklause, a basement bar of the Identitarian Movement, which is classified as right-wing extremist. Hannes Sulzenbacher, co-director of Qwien, emphasizes that the neighborhood must be taken seriously and assumes that the two initiatives will coexist “in mutual ignorance,” as sn.at reports.

Safety measures have been taken to prepare for possible disruptions. The queer center can be protected not only by an alarm system, but also by video surveillance in the entrance area. A spokesman for City Councilor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ) emphasizes that the city wants to send a political signal with the opening and “make queer life visible”. Activist Martin Sellner from the Identitarians, however, stated that the cultural center “doesn’t matter” to the Identitarians. However, concerns remain that tensions between the two groups could flare up again and again.

A complex context

The past shows that conflicts between left-wing and right-wing groups have often taken place in the area around the Identitarian bar. Anti-fascist groups have already demonstrated against the Identitarian Movement in 2022 and 2023, which repeatedly led to riots. According to reports, there were also burning garbage bins and damage to property at an apartment building in which the restaurant is located. The accuracy of protests is also reflected in the fact that in 2023 representatives of the Identitarians took part in a demonstration against a drag queen reading in the turquoise-pink-purple villa. According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, intervention could occur in the event of further riots in the area around Qwien and the Identitarian Bar.

Queer history is characterized by challenges, triumphs and moving moments, as stephano.eu shows. From persecution in the 19th century to the atrocities of Nazism to the strengthening of rights and social acceptance through courageous activists and allies—the road has been long and rocky. A pivotal moment was the Stonewall uprising in 1969, which marked the beginning of a global LGBTQ+ movement. Such historical events are significant for understanding today's queer community.

The importance of visibility

There is no denying that the visibility of queer people has grown significantly over the past few decades. Nevertheless, current challenges show that the fight for equality is not yet over. Discrimination and violence continue to be issues that cannot be ignored. Particular attention is paid to issues such as transsexual law reform and the recognition of queer parenthood. However, the visibility of queer people, both in culture and society, remains crucial to continuing this fight.

In conclusion, the opening of Qwien in Vienna-Margareten is not only a joyful event, but also a symbolic act in an environment marked by conflict and historical responsibility. A space that commemorates the triumphs and at the same time brings to mind the challenges that still lie ahead.