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Panorama — News — Christopher Street Day — WDR — Demonstrations — Bärbel Base — Prominent — Cologne — scene — SDP — Germany — Europe — Bill Kaulitz — Society — Sven Lehmann — weekend — Sunday — Tokyo — Claudia Roth — demolition — North Rhine-Westphalia — Cologne Pride — Karl Lauterbach

Cologne CSD - Voice against the dismantling of queer rights

The Cologne Pride is more political than usual this year, as the queer community feels pressured. Notable support comes from Politics and Showbusiness for the large parade.

,   and  Carmen Simpson
3 min read
Karl Lauterbach calls for unity at the CSD in Cologne.
Karl Lauterbach calls for unity at the CSD in Cologne.

Cologne Pride - Cologne CSD - Voice against the dismantling of queer rights

Loud, colorful and political - over ten thousand people set a sign for Tolerance and Diversity at the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day Parade. According to the organizers, approximately 1.2 million visitors attended the parade on Sunday, and around 1.4 million visited during the entire CSD weekend.

The CSD Parade itself reportedly consisted of 65,000 participants and 250 groups, including 90 floats. "This is the biggest Cologne has ever had," said Cologne Pride Board Member Hugo Winkels. Minister of State Claudia Roth (Greens) gushed: "Cologne is the most important CSD, not just in the whole country, not just in Europe, but it radiates into the whole world."

The Kaulitz Brothers on the Float

Even the Kaulitz Brothers Tom and Bill Kaulitz of the band Tokio Hotel rode on one of the floats. In an interview with WDR, Bill Kaulitz spoke about how liberating his coming-out was: "I'm really moved by how many people come to me and find courage in my story," the singer said. "I lived the first years very privately and couldn't bring that out into the open."

Politicians warn against the "Rollback" of queer rights

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach referred to the increasing attacks against queer people and the growing hatred towards them. "The CSD is an important demonstration for Democracy, Freedom, for the rights of queer people," said the Cologne-based SPD politician to the German Press Agency. "I find it impressive to see how the rights are being restricted within Europe."

The CSD has never been as political as it is now. Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) also said: "We notice that there are fascists and Nazis who want a rollback." They want to take away the rights and freedoms of the LGBTIQ+ community. "We must stand up against this," Bas said.

The Queer Commissioner of the Federal Government, Sven Lehmann (Greens), demanded the inclusion of sexual identity in Article 3 of the Basic Law. Currently, Article 3 states that no one may be discriminated against or favored "because of their sex, their descent, their race, their language, their homeland and origin, their belief, their religious or political opinions."

"Bring this protection into the Basic Law"

Queer people are the last group that the Nazis persecuted who still do not have an explicit protection status in the Basic Law, criticized Lehmann. In its current form, the Basic Law could not prevent human rights violations such as the repealed Paragraph 175 of the Criminal Code, which criminalized sexual acts between men until 1994.

"We need a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat," said Lehmann. "I would like it if that succeeds before the next federal election, if we manage to bring this protection into the Basic Law and thus prevent our rights from being abolished again."

Increasing violence affects not only the queer community

Drag Queen Meryl Deep, who organized support for the CSD in Saxon Pirna this year, also said that it was important to be loud and present in these times. "It's important to protect everything that has been achieved and not let ourselves be taken away." The increasing violence affects various social groups and not just the queer community.

A CSD event also took place in Rostock on Sunday, where approximately 4,200 people participated. The CSD commemorates events from 1969 in New York: Police stormed the Stonewall Inn in Christopher Street and ended a multi-day uprising of gay men, lesbians, and transsexuals.

  1. The prominent Cologne Christopher-Street-Day Parade attracted over 10,000 people, advocating for Tolerance and Diversity.
  2. WDR reported on the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day, highlighting the participation of Bill Kaulitz, a notable figure from the band Tokio Hotel.
  3. During the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day weekend, around 1.4 million visitors participated in various demonstrations and events.
  4. The Cologne Christopher-Street-Day Parade saw the biggest turnout yet, with 65,000 participants and 250 groups joining in the festivities.
  5. In Cologne, politicians like Bärbel Bas from the SPD and Karl Lauterbach from the SPD warned against the rollback of queer rights during the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day.
  6. Sven Lehmann, the Queer Commissioner of the Federal Government, called for the inclusion of sexual identity in Article 3 of the Basic Law during the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day.
  7. Bill Kaulitz spoke about the liberating effects of his coming-out during the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day, acknowledging the impact it had on others in the queer community.
  8. Claudia Roth, a prominent Green politician, stated that Cologne is the most important CSD not just in Germany or Europe but in the whole world during the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day.
  9. Even in North Rhine-Westphalia, where Cologne is located, politicians expressed their support for the LGBTQ+ community during the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day.
  10. Notably, the Cologne Pride Board Member Hugo Winkels noted the significance of the Cologne Christopher-Street-Day, emphasizing its role as a beacon of tolerance and diversity in Europe.

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