CSD in Berlin - Wegner gives no opening speech at Christopher Street Day
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) is expected to not open the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in the capital city this year. However, he will participate in the CSD parade, stated Senate Speaker Christine Richter.
The organizers anticipate around 500,000 people on July 27th. Previously, several Berlin media reported on this. The Berlin CSD is considered one of the largest events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-, intergender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Europe.
Wegner had opened the CSD last year and had announced his intention to strengthen the Bundesrat initiative for the inclusion of queer people in Article Three of the Basic Law. The CSD organizers had most recently urged him to keep his word and also demanded further development of measures against hate crimes and securing financing for them.
No Agreement at Meeting between Wegner and CSD Organizers
A meeting between Wegner and CSD organizers took place on Thursday afternoon. The talks were constructive, according to the Senate Speaker. However, the current status is: Wegner will not open the CSD. The Senate Chancellery has no further information on the talks.
Wegner reportedly emphasized that he would not be put under pressure. He informed the CSD that he would not give an opening speech, Marcel Voges from the CSD Board told the "Tagesspiegel". The association could not imagine this under these conditions. "The Governing Mayor could not convincingly present to us that there have been significant progress regarding our demands."
- Despite not opening the Christopher Street Day (CSD) this year in Berlin, as reported by several media outlets, Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) still intends to participate in the parade, as confirmed by Senate Speaker Christine Richter.
- The Berlin CSD is renowned as one of the largest events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-, intergender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in Europe, attracting an anticipated crowd of around 500,000 people on July 27th.
- During a recent meeting between Wegner and CSD organizers, while discussions were described as constructive by Senate Speaker Christine Richter, no agreement was reached, with Wegner opting not to deliver an opening speech as requested by the CSD organizers.
- Kai Wegner, who opened the CSD last year and pledged to support the Bundesrat's initiative for queer inclusion in Article Three of the Basic Law, has faced criticism from the CSD organizers for failing to sufficiently address their demands for anti-hate crime measures and financing.
