A sign of diversity and tolerance

Susanne Dyhr is organising the inauguration of the rainbow bench and the bench against racism together with students from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). The academic conducts research into community work and the prevention of right-wing extremism at the Methods and Theories of Social Work chair. In the interview, she emphasises the role of visible signs of diversity and tolerance in society.

A rainbow bench stood on the campus in Cottbus Sachsendorf until the start of the 2025 summer semester. Following its destruction, it will now be inaugurated together with the new bench against racism - at the Kulturcampus Sachsendorf event.
Dyhr: The rainbow bench and the bench against racism symbolise BTU's openness and respect for the diversity and freedom of all students and staff. They are a reminder that diversity is a living part of the university and provide an opportunity to engage with different perspectives. This diversity not only enriches interaction, but also strengthens the quality, innovative power and relevance of research and teaching. When the rainbow bench on the Sachsendorf campus was vandalised, it was an attack on precisely these values.

Right-wing conservative to extreme right-wing actors negate gender and individual diversity as we find it in all societies. They reduce gender relations to an allegedly binary gender relationship between men and women and defend traditional, hierarchical gender roles with biologistic arguments. For the people concerned, this means discrimination, social marginalisation and the denial of their identity.

There are several signs that the rainbow bank has been destroyed because of such a world view. We give no space to this expression of hatred. Charges have been brought against those responsible. This makes it all the more important now to show this clearly and visibly: Diversity and tolerance have a high priority at BTU. Parallel to the rainbow bench, we are also installing the new bench against racism at the site.

A flower bed has been placed near the site of the former rainbow bench as a "bed of mourning" - a place that commemorates the destroyed symbol and at the same time expresses the wish for a more peaceful future. There will also be apot luck picnic around the benches on a lecture day for all staff and students at the Sachsendorf campus, where each guest will bring a dish or drink to share with everyone.
The Sachsendorf campus has great potential to become a place for encounters and enriching discussions and reflections. The newly installed seating can also contribute to this. Use the benches for planned and spontaneous conversations.

What do the rainbow colours stand for?
Dyhr: The rainbow colours are an expression for all those who identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, the + symbolises that there are more than these listed identities). The rainbow colours red stand for life, orange for healing and care, yellow for sunlight, green for the connection to nature and the environment, blue for harmony and prudence, and purple for the spirit. The rainbow colours are thus a powerful symbol for the diversity of biological conditions, social identities, and ways of loving and living.

About the event Kulturcampus Sachsendorf

For the third time, the campus festival invites you to celebrate and discover. On Friday, 27 June 2025, from 3 p.m., the party will take place at Lipezker Straße 47, with partying, dancing and laughter until the early hours of the morning. Admission is free.

The campus party is supported by Krasse Lausitz, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg student council, Velero Management GmbH and Gebäudewirtschaft Cottbus GmbH. Kultur-Campus Sachsendorf is a co-operation between BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Bürgerverein Sachsendorf/Madlow e.V. and M2B e.V.