At the end of the mountaineering season of 2021, a group of climbers raised LGBTQIA symbols on top of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. Right before climbing Mont Blanc, the team made a double traverse of Monte Rosa, another high mountain range in the Alps from north to south and vice versa, while conquering several peaks at once.
This formed part of the Pink Summits campaign, which eyes to symbolize LGBTQIA resilience with LGBTQIA mountaineers ascending the highest peaks in all continents.
In a statement released to Outrage Magazine, the people behind Pink Summits stated that this campaign eyes to “tackle prejudice and hatred against LGBTQIA people” who – hopefully – will be shown to also able to brave “the highest peaks of all continents, so-called Seven Summits.”
According to Dastan, one of the founders of the Pink Summits campaign, because of what Pink Summits is doing, they have “experienced physical abuse, threats and harassment.” And yet, through the campaign, “hatred and violence only made (them) stronger” as they seek to “inspire other LGBTQIA people to fight for their rights, freedom, love and life in spite of injustice and cruelty.”
The Pink Summits team already conquered the highest peak in Europe and Russia, Elbrus, with a rainbow flag planted at the summit. Back then, while trying to cross the state border between Georgia and Russia, they were stopped and interrogated by the FSB, the secret services of Russia.
The team also already braved Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa; and onMount Kosciuszko in Australia. This January, they climbed Mount Aconcagua in South America, which is the highest peak on the planet outside of Asia.
Track Pink Summits at:
instagram.com/pinksummits
facebook.com/pinksummits
pinksummits.com/ru
