Austria to Issue World's First Postage Commemorating Gay Event

Austrian Post is issuing a stamp commemorating the 15th Rainbow Parade in Vienna.

The special stamp was designed by Christian Hogl, who works as a professional graphic designer in addition to his volunteer activities as HOSI Wien's co-president. He also created the graphic designs for the Rainbow Parade for the last eight years.

"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," said Jona Solomon, co-president of Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien, Austria's oldest and leading gay and lesbian organisation.