We copyrighted the idea in 2012. The concept is simple. We identify emerging creatives and exciting people who we believe will be captivating to read about. We invite people to interview themselves and take a selfie. The self-interview with selfie was inspired by an empirical tool specifically for use in memory studies research. Our idea was developed to overcome some practical limitations of one-to-one interviews and address a new type of journalism. We ask queer creatives & exciting people to interview themselves. The manner can be through storytelling, diary-keeping, questions, images, sound, or any other meaning of representation. We believe it is interesting what our guests want to tell people about themselves avoiding intrusion by another person. Today we invited Florian Niederseer.
Who are you?
I’m a guy from a tiny mountain village in Austria, called Unken. The very same village that is nowadays known for its annual pride parade, where the parade marches not just on the streets, but also over a farm track, surrounded by picturesque mountain views. I’m Florian Niederseer – I started the Unken Pride parade. I’m also one of the founders of the Heublumen LGBTQIA+ Initiative – a rurally focused LGBTQIA+ community organization. Always happy to be simply called Flo as well though.
Why do you think you were invited to do a self-interview?
Good question! But for real though, I hope that my experiences as a queer activist in Austria’s countryside can be interesting and somewhat insightful to you, my dear reader. Other people’s stories have often inspired me, so I hope that you’ll be able to take at least a little bit of inspiration with you on your way.
What inspired you to become an activist, and how did your journey begin?
The experience of becoming socially isolated after my coming out as a young teenager negatively shaped my perception of myself for a long time. When I left my home and went out into the world, not only did I experience acceptance but even appreciation from the people around me for who I was. I realized that I wanted to bring those bits of love and acceptance for queer people back to my village, so the young queers, who would grow up after me, wouldn’t have to go through what I went through.
So, I started small by placing a pride flag on the catholic church in my village. All of that naturally with the consent of the local priest. The thing that spiralled everything from performing one neat symbolic act to where I find myself now, is that someone had cut that pride flag down after a couple of days, which prompted me to come back with hundreds of pride flags.
Unken Pride
How was your coming out in the countryside?
It was kind of involuntary, as the news about me being gay made its way around rather quickly after telling one friend about it, who couldn’t really keep quiet. I think I was 13 years old at the time and noticed rather quickly how people’s perception of me changed quickly after that. News does travel quite fast in a village. However, it did feel more than just good to lay all the whispers and rumours about my sexuality to rest.
How did the people in your village react to your coming out?
Some more positive than anticipated and some more negative. Being verbally attacked, pushed and having drinks poured over me for being gay, by people around their twenties, while I was still a kid, weren’t the brightest moments though.
Why do you paint your fingernails?
Because they look amazing with some colours on them! And, because it’s a way for me to communicate my queerness to others, showing other queer people that they’re not alone.
What’s dating like in rural Austria?
I mean, when I turn on Grindr, the closest person is around 14 kilometres away from me. Apart from that, most guys are closeted. So, it’s a challenge.
…about those 100 pride flags…
As a response to the pride flag on the church being cut down, I organized with the support of the Salzburg Pride team a pride parade in my little village, the Unken Pride.
Pride Flag on Unken church
Have you faced any obstacles or backlash in your activism, and how did you overcome them?
There was once a rumour going around, saying that I lied to our local pastor about the meaning of the pride flag when we put it up on our village’s church. In the end, it was more of a nuisance than anything serious. Could have been a better rumor, to be honest.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your activism that fills you with pride?
The feeling of walking down the streets of my childhood with an entire pride parade behind me, loud music, and overwhelmingly happy people – never ever would I have imagined that something like this would be possible. It was a dream come true.
Can anyone become an activist?
Absolutely! Not just that, but by simply being openly queer, you already are an activist. Showing your true colours creates visibility for the community. And it’s especially important for those, who’d otherwise feel alone. Maybe you already are that one person you would have needed by your side as a child, by just being openly who you are.
What would you recommend to anyone, who wants to be an activist?
Do look out for yourself too. It’s so easy to sometimes lose yourself in all the work you do since it’s for a good cause that drives you forward. However, do find the time to take steps back and recharge as well. You can’t enact change when you aren’t able to act. It’s great when you have a burning passion for something. Just make sure you’re not getting consumed by your passion’s flame.
What should I keep in mind after I’m done reading about this interview?
Change is possible, wherever you are.
Florian Niedersee is an artist from a picturesque mountain village in Austria. His stage serves as his residence, where he dazzles as an actor, a slam poet, a singer, a dancer, and even a host. His advocacy for LGBTQ+ causes primarily takes shape through his eloquent words, both written and spoken. He gained recognition in “Fantastische Queerwesen und wie sie sich finden,” the inaugural German Queer Slam Poetry Anthology. When not travelling across European stages, he loves to put his headset on and always appreciates a good video game. He is the founder of the rural-focused queer initiative Heublumen the parent organisation of Unken Pride.
“Self-Interview with Selfie” is an ongoing column led by Liviu Bulea, an artist, curator, and storyteller residing between Berlin and Turda.
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