Berlin Pride Festival's Rainbow Network Unsupported by German Federal Parliament
Berlin — For the first time in previous years, the queer network of the German Bundestag administration won't be present at the Christopher Street Day in Berlin this year. This move has sparked controversy, with critics seeing it as a rejection of queer visibility.
"The director of the German Bundestag deems that the administration, in light of the duty of neutrality, abstains from political protests and public assemblies," a spokesperson confirmed upon request. Despite this, employees retain the freedom to join the celebration in their personal capacity.
Originally, the Berlin CSD e.V. had announced the queer network's planned presence in 2023 and 2024. But, following instructions from the administration, the foot group has been withdrawn.
The association's board asserts that this is an "active rejection of queer visibility" and criticizes: "Those who bar queer network groups of state institutions from participation silently rescind the agreement that fundamental rights should be publicly defended."
In today's climate where CSDs are increasingly targeted by right-wing extremist attacks, political support is crucial, according to the association. They urge Bundestag President Julia Klöckner to publicly clarify the decision. The Berlin Christopher Street Day is scheduled for July 26 this year.
In May, a controversy arose when Klöckner announced plans to only hoist the rainbow flag at the Reichstag building on the International Day against Homophobia (May 17) in the future, rather than for the Berlin CSD.
Last year marked the first time the rainbow flag was raised on the Bundestag, and, since then, Klöckner has revealed that the flag will not be raised for the CSD this year because the Christopher Street Day "relies on its powerful presence on the streets as a day of assembly, protest, and celebration.”
The CSD is celebrated in numerous cities each summer. Its name originates from the uprisings of the queer community in Christopher Street, New York, in 1969. The celebration represents the visibility and equal rights of queer individuals.
[1] - Sources suggest that this decision is primarily due to maintaining governmental neutrality, although without specific details, this remains speculative. Employees are still free to participate in the CSD in their personal capacity.
The decision to withdraw the queer network of the German Bundestag administration from the Christopher Street Day (CSD) has been met with criticism, as it's perceived as a rejection of queer visibility in policy-and-legislation and general-news, particularly in the context of growing right-wing extremist attacks on CSDs. Political support, as essential for the CSD, is now being urged from Bundestag President Julia Klöckner for clearer clarification on the decision.
