On September 21, 2021, the PinkSummits team successfully climbed Mont Blanc to raise awareness for LGBTIQ+ rights and raise funds for the French association Urgence Homophobie.
Mont Blanc is not the roof of the world, but it is the roof of the Alps, France and Western Europe. Probably for the first time in its history, the rainbow flag was seen at the summit of Mont Blanc – at 4,810 meters above sea level. The flag was raised by a team of eight climbers from all over the world. It is the fourth “summit” after Elbrus (Russia), Mt. Kosciuszko (Australia) and Kilimanjaro (also called Kibo, Tanzania) to advocate for the rights of LGBT+ people and to help them become more visible.
Another goal of the expedition was to shed light on the work of Urgence Homophobia. The association helps flee LGBTIQ+ people in France who find themselves in danger in their country of origin.
Théo Challande-Névoret – one of the climbers – said, “This Tuesday, September 21 at 8:30 in the morning, the LGBTIQ+ flag – the flag of respect, equality and love – literally flew for the first time on the summit of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe – away from all hatred, exclusion and violence.” Théo is also vice-mayor in Marseille.
The goal is Mount Everest
The Summits go on. The next opportunity to get involved is already being planned. “Our challenge is to climb the highest peaks of each continent to inspire LGBTIQ+ youth to believe in their strength and take control of their destiny,” explains Dastan Kasmamytov, the initiator of PinkSummits. The goal of PinkSummits is to climb the highest summits of all continents, including Mount Everest.
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