Berlin Glitter, rainbows and political demands at CSD
Adorned with glitter and rainbows, tens of thousands of people demonstrate at the 46th Christopher Street Day in Berlin under the motto "Only strong together - for democracy and diversity". "The atmosphere is great," the organizers told the German Press Agency. "We have brought more people onto the streets for queer rights than expected." Official police estimates of the number of participants were not yet available in the afternoon, but hundreds of thousands were expected.
27.07.2024, 20:59
SDA
After a rainy start, the umbrellas were swapped for sunglasses. Good-humored, glitter-adorned and dancing people dominated the scene. "The rainbow is a natural phenomenon" and "Pride not prejudice" could be read on signs held by the demonstration participants. "Happy Pride" was heard in many places.
The police were also satisfied. A spokesperson told dpa that the officers saw "many happy and friendly faces". 1,200 people were on duty. There were hardly any incidents until the afternoon. A group of right-wingers in typical scene clothing had tried to get to the elevator, the spokesman said. The group was prevented from continuing by police officers. Checks were still being carried out.
Independently of the large procession, numerous people also demonstrated under the slogan "Queers for Palestine". According to the organizing organization Internationalist Queer Pride (IQP), around 15,000 participants were expected to take to the streets for the "anti-colonial, anti-racist and anti-capitalist fight for freedom".
"The community welcomes the political demands"
It was the right decision to insist on the political demands, according to the organizers. "The community welcomes this." The CSD organizers are appealing to politicians to include the protection of queer people in the German constitution. In her opening speech, activist Sophie Koch called for Article 3 of the Basic Law to be amended before the end of this legislative period.
Article 3 states, among other things: "No one may be disadvantaged or favored because of their gender, descent, race, language, homeland and origin, faith, religious or political views. No one shall be discriminated against on the grounds of disability." It should also be added that no one should be discriminated against "on grounds of sexual identity". The activists received support from Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus (Greens), who gave a welcoming speech.
Wegner: No majority for constitutional amendment so far
There had previously been disputes behind the scenes: Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) had announced at the opening of the CSD last year that he would campaign for a corresponding Bundesrat initiative. From the CSD organizers' point of view, not enough has happened since then. Wegner therefore did not give the opening speech, as is customary for the governing mayor. On the fringes of the CSD, Wegner told RBB that he was campaigning for a quick change, "preferably before the Bundestag elections". So far, however, there is no majority for this.
The CSD in Berlin is considered one of the largest events of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community in Europe. The 75 floats and dozens of foot groups, which had set off to Lady Gaga's "Born this way", marched to the Victory Column. From there, they continued on foot to the final rally at the Brandenburg Gate. Various musical and artistic acts are scheduled to perform there in the evening. Herbert Grönemeyer was announced as a surprise guest.
