The Austrians have pride in their postal service!
Austrian Post will be making postal history by releases a very special postage stamp commemorating the 15th Rainbow Parade, being held in Vienna on July 3.
The special stamp was designed by Christian Högl, a graphic designer whose created designs for the last 8 Rainbow Parades. “Austrian Post will dedicate one of the 60 postal stamps to be issued this year to this event,” said Jona Solomon, co-president of Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien, Austria’s oldest and leading gay and lesbian organisation. They've been organizing the gay pride parade in Vienna since 2003.
“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.”
Austrian Post will also set-up a special post office at Rainbow Parade, in a downtown square where the parade ends with five hours of celebrations, music, speeched and fun.
Stamp collecting parade participants will be able to buy the stamp, first-day covers, and to bring their letters and postcards to get them stamped with the special first-day postmark. “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 themes.”
The 55 cent stamp, is normal postage for a standard letter or postcard within Austria and so far 250,000 have been printed and will be valid for postage from July 3.
What a great way to stamp a little pride!
Jason Shaw
© 2010 Copyright Jason Shaw
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