Rainbow from Zittau to Görlitz
The HSZG supports Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Zittau and Görlitz.
A university thrives on openness, free thought, and the diversity of the people who shape it. This freedom requires that all people be respected and able to participate on an equal footing, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The CSD highlights that this is still not a given. As the Deputy Equal Opportunities Officer at HSZG, I stand for a university where there is no place for discrimination and where diversity is embraced as a strength—on campus and in our region.
”At HSZG, this commitment is also reflected in student engagement and concrete support services.
Whether through events for queer students and those who support them, or through involvement in higher education policy and regional initiatives—the Rainbow Collective is active as both a university group and a resource center. It advocates for the visibility and concerns of students of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
This also involves creating spaces where students can meet people who share similar experiences and feel understood and safe. After all, college life doesn’t just take place in the lecture hall: shared experiences and encounters are just as much a part of it. Such safe spaces can provide support, especially in turbulent times, while also raising awareness of diverse life realities.
In addition to student-led initiatives, the HSZG also conducts academic research on the lived experiences of queer students. Since July, TRAWOS has been home to the“QueerPeer”project, funded by the BMFTR. The project’s goal is to connect queer students across Saxony to raise awareness of their perspectives in rural areas and minimize potential barriers within the higher education system.
For many young adults, the transition to college in particular marks a major life change. For many, it is the first time they can freely reflect on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship dynamics. Finding like-minded people within the queer community gives them a sense of belonging and a support system during turbulent times—and the CSDs play an important role in this.
”Diversity and equal treatment affect not only students but the entire university. Tom Halang, chair of the HSZG Staff Council, also emphasizes this perspective:
One of the Staff Council’s core responsibilities is to ensure that all employees are treated equally—regardless of their gender or sexual identity. Our university draws its strength from the diversity of society—the people who conduct research, work, and live here. This lived diversity is the foundation of a future-ready Zittau/Görlitz University.
”We are convinced that our university, our research, and our society are enriched by this diversity, by participation, and by equality. We would like to encourage students, faculty, and staff to stand up for freedom and diversity. The CSDs in the region offer an opportunity to visibly stand up for these values: on September 12 in Zittau and on September 26 in Görlitz.
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First floor