Austria Shows Gay Pride With New Stamp

UKGayNews.com reports, "Austrian Post will be making philatelic history when it releases a postage stamp commemorating the 15th Regenbogenparade (Rainbow Parade) in Vienna on July 3."

Jona Solomon, co-president of Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien, Austria’s oldest and leading gay and lesbian organisation is quoted in the piece as saying, "“To our knowledge this is the first time in the world that a postal authority is issuing a special stamp on a gay/lesbian occasion. At least, we are not aware that this has happened before anywhere in the world.”

Kurt Krickler, HOSI Wien’s secretary-general is also quoted.

“We are really proud that Austria is delivering a real sensation here recognising the Rainbow Parade’s significance as one of Austria’s largest and most important events against social exclusion and discrimination. We hope that many postal authorities in the world will follow and dedicate stamps to LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender] themes.”

With a face value of 55 eurocents, the postage for a standard letter or postcard within Austria, 250,000 stamps have been printed. The stamp can be purchased as from June 25 but will only be valid for postage from July 3.

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