The Summer Evolution Festival 2023 summer party was supposed to be a celebration of joy, imagination, and the queer community. Under the theme “Queer Circus Cabaret,” guests arrived in creative costumes that reflected the community’s colorful diversity. But what began as a lively celebration turned into a heated political discussion due to an ill-considered costume choice—and taught us an important lesson about tolerance, sensitivity, and the power of symbols.
What happened...
One guest had dressed up as a “sun-tanned Calabrian” and darkened his skin with brown makeup. Some of those present were quickly left in a state of shock. The exuberant mood took a turn when the costume was interpreted as blackfacing—a practice historically associated with racist stereotypes and the denigration of Black people.
Blackfacing dates back historically to the minstrel shows of the 18th and 19th centuries, in which white performers blackened their faces to mock Black people as naive, cheerfully singing (stupid) slaves—thereby reinforcing racist stereotypes that permeated far beyond the stage into everyday culture, film, and advertising.
The guest explained that his costume was not about blackfacing, but rather the portrayal of a dark-skinned Italian. Yet for many People of Color (PoC) among the guests, a line had been crossed. They felt attacked and demeaned. The party turned into a tense standoff where political correctness and personal feelings collided.
The festival team tried to smooth over the conflict but did not engage in a clarifying discussion so as not to interrupt the party. This was perceived by some as inappropriate—while the majority of guests simply continued celebrating. The next morning, Valentin gave a speech to clarify the historical and emotional significance of blackface. The guest reiterated his intention, and the community began to reflect on the experience.
What We Learned From This
This incident showed us how important it is to consider not only our own creativity at costume parties, but also the external impact and the feelings of others. Here are some points we want to keep in mind going forward:
1 The External Impact of Costumes: Costumes are not only forms of personal expression, but can also send messages. It is important to be aware of how certain depictions might affect others—especially marginalized groups.
2 Tolerance and sensitivity: We strive for a community where everyone feels comfortable. This means taking others’ perspectives and feelings seriously and responding sensitively to potential hurt.
3 The Power of Intention—and Its Limits: The guest had no malicious intent—to him, the costume was a harmless portrayal. Yet even if we personally find something perfectly acceptable, the external impact may be perceived differently. Especially when it comes to topics like skin color or cultural stereotypes, it’s worth taking a step back and asking: How might this affect others?
Intention is important, but it does not automatically justify everything. We must learn to take responsibility for the potential consequences of our actions—even if they are unintentional.
4 Dialogue and education: Conflicts offer an opportunity to learn from one another. Through open conversations and education, we can clear up misunderstandings and strengthen our community.
Our message to you: We have learned from this and will implement these lessons wholeheartedly. Please ensure that your intentions are always clear. Your costume may, of course, offend some tastes, but it must not demean anyone—not even unintentionally or by accident.
We look forward to unforgettable moments and (respectful) fun together!
