Equality - CSD-Organizers continue to demand constitutional reform
The organizers of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin are holding firm to their demand for the inclusion of queer people in Article 3 of the Basic Law. "The protection of the queer community by the Basic Law should come before the Bundestag election in 2025, in our opinion," said Marcel Voges, a board member of the Berlin CSD e.V. "We will also act self-confidently and engage ourselves after the CSD."
This is not about special rights for queer people, but about fundamental rights. "Within the community, there is already great unrest and fear due to the strengthening of right-wing parties. It is being heavily targeted against our community," warned Voges.
Wegner has put a Bundesrat initiative in sight
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) had announced at the opening of the CSD last year that he would support a Bundesrat initiative for the amendment of Article 3 of the Basic Law. In the past few weeks, the CSD organizers had repeatedly urged him to follow through.
Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) has also already prepared a Senate resolution for the preparation of a Bundesrat initiative. However, the Senate has not yet dealt with it. A two-thirds majority would be required in the Bundestag and Bundesrat for constitutional amendment.
CSD organizers call for talks with other federal states
"We are pleased that there is a Senate resolution. We hope that the Berlin Senate will pass a Bundesrat initiative after the CSD," explained Voges. "We expect quick talks from the Berlin state government with the other federal states and the federal CDU, to achieve a two-thirds majority for a Bundesrat initiative and constitutional amendment."
The CSD in Berlin is considered one of the largest events of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer (LGBTQI) community in Europe. The organizers expect around half a million people on July 27th. Last year, Wegner was able to open the CSD. This is not the case this year. However, the CDU politician has announced that he will attend the CSD demonstration march.
- Kai Wegner, a prominent member of the CDU in Berlin, has indicated his support for initiating a change in Article 3 of the Basic Law, aiming to grant equal rights to queer individuals.
- The demand for equal rights by the organizers of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin extends beyond special rights, aiming to enforce fundamental rights for the queer community, given the growing fear and unrest within the community due to the strengthening of right-wing parties.
- A Bundesrat initiative, aimed at altering Article 3 of the Basic Law to include equal rights for queer people, has been proposed by both Kai Wegner and Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe of the SPD in Berlin. However, to successfully implement a constitutional amendment, a two-thirds majority is required in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
- In light of the Senate resolution for the preparation of a Bundesrat initiative, CSD organizers are urging the Berlin state government to engage in productive discussions with other federal states and the federal CDU, in an effort to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority for the implementation of this initiative and the subsequent constitutional amendment.
- Despite his absence from the official opening of the CSD this year, Kai Wegner has confirmed his intention to participate in the CSD demonstration march, signifying his continued commitment to the fight for equal rights for the LGBTQI community.
