Society - Hundreds of thousands expected in Berlin's CSD - Großmeyer sings
Hundreds of thousands march again for the rights of the queer community through the city on Saturday. The organizers of the 46th Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin expect up to half a million people to join them under the motto "Together we are strong - For Democracy and Diversity".
Musician Herbert Grönemeyer is the Special Guest at the CSD in Berlin. The singer will be on the stage of the closing rally at the Brandenburger Tor, the organizers announced. "He stands for this year's CSD motto 'Democracy and Diversity' like no other", they said. Grönemeyer has been socially and politically engaged for decades, including for the country and democracy.
The CSD in Berlin is one of the largest events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intergender, and queer community in Europe.
CSD organizers continue to call for a constitutional amendment
In the past, the Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) gave the opening speech. Last year, he hinted at initiating a federal initiative for the inclusion of queer people in Article 3 of the Basic Law. Behind the scenes, there is now delay: The CSD organizers have repeatedly urged him to follow through.
However, a federal initiative only succeeds if there is a two-thirds majority in the Federal Council. This is not very likely - especially CDU-led states might find it hard to win over.
Berlin failed in a similar attempt in 2018. It is feared that a new attempt at a failed attempt would be nearly hopeless. Wegner has announced that he will come to the event on Saturday.
"Queers for Palestine"
A demo "Queers for Palestine" of the Internationalist Queer Pride (IQP) is planned in Neukölln in the afternoon, with 15,000 registered participants. The CSD organizers commented on the inquiry but did not comment on that. They explicitly distanced themselves from anti-Muslim sentiment, racism, and antisemitism.
Queer Commissioner threatened
The Berlin Queer Commissioner Alfonso Pantisano is facing massive threats before the CSD. He reported receiving death threats on the phone on Instagram. "Unfortunately, these anonymous calls do not stop."
He tries not to let it get to him. "The times are getting rougher and I'm starting to understand more and more what dangers we have to reckon with if the wind gets colder and the times get darker", he wrote.
"Of course, I will be there at the Berlin CSD tomorrow. I am not the gay man I am today to hide myself now", Pantisano wrote. "I will not yield an inch to these enemies of our democracy. Never!"
Route & Final Link to Dyke-March Website
- The Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin is a significant event for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community across Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants annually.
- Christopher Street Day organizers have continuously advocated for a constitutional amendment, urging the Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) to initiate a federal initiative for queer people's inclusion in Article 3 of the Basic Law.
- The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intergender, and queer scene in Berlin is set to shine during the 46th CSD, with notable figures like musician Herbert Grönemeyer supporting the event's motto of "Democracy and Diversity."
- The event at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, will feature Grönemeyer, who has been an active advocate for social and political causes, including democracy and diversity.
- European society has been witnessing a growing presence of the LGBT community, with events like Berlin's CSD playing a significant role in promoting their rights and advocating for equality within democracy.
- The CSD in Berlin reflects the diverse community, with various demonstrations and gatherings, such as the planned "Queers for Palestine" demo by the Internationalist Queer Pride (IQP) in Neukölln.
