Government's Social Affairs Department: Display of Rainbow Flags Limited to Annually
In a notable shift, the hoisting of the rainbow flag at various German government buildings has been limited to one day a year, according to recent decisions and directives from several ministries.
Previously, the colorful flag was proudly hoisted at Barbara Bas's house each year on the occasion of the Christopher Street Day (CSD). However, this tradition is no longer continuing, with the Federal Ministry of the Interior issuing a directive in April 2025 that restricts the hoisting of the rainbow flag to one day annually.
The Ministry of Labour, for instance, has opted to use large banners at their Berlin office and poster spaces in Bonn as visible signs of diversity instead of hoisting the flag. The Ministry of Labour hoisted the rainbow flag twice a year from 2022 to 2024, but Barbara Bas is now handling this differently, with the flag being hoisted only on May 17, the day against homophobia.
The Bundestag President, Julia Klöckner, has also chosen to hoist the rainbow flag only on May 17, but not on the day of the CSD, citing the obligation to neutrality. The hoisting of the rainbow flag at the Bundestag is not affected by the Federal Ministry of the Interior's directive.
The "Tagesspiegel" first reported about this change in Barbara Bas's handling of the rainbow flag hoisting. The Ministry of Labour has emphasised that the letter from the Ministry of the Interior allows for alternative forms of visibility, such as banners or posters in rainbow colors.
It is worth noting that the hoisting of the rainbow flag at the Bundestag is generally not flown on the parliament building except for recognised days like the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The decision not to fly the rainbow flag for CSD celebrations on July 26 this year, by Bundestag officials, including Parliament Speaker Julia Klöckner, aligns with a return to older policies where official flag displays are limited to specific recognised days. The justification for this decision includes maintaining the Bundestag's "duty of neutrality" and avoiding participation in what could be seen as "political demonstrations and public gatherings."
The clarification from the Ministry of the Interior referred to guidelines for hoisting the rainbow flag from April 2022, stating that the flag could be hoisted at ministries on one day of the year. This decision seems to be part of a broader policy aimed at maintaining neutrality and avoiding political statements beyond recognised international days.
- Despite the annual tradition, the rainbow flag is now being hoisted only on one day a year at Barbara Bas's house, following the directive from the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
- The Ministry of Labour, in place of hoisting the rainbow flag, has opted for large banners and poster spaces in rainbow colors, as visible signs of diversity.
- The Bundestag President, Julia Klöckner, has chosen to hoist the rainbow flag only on May 17, sparing the day of the CSD, citing the obligation to neutrality.
- The hoisting of the rainbow flag at the Bundestag is generally limited to recognised days like the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), except for specific exceptions.
- The decision not to fly the rainbow flag for CSD celebrations on July 26 this year, by Bundestag officials, including Parliament Speaker Julia Klöckner, is part of a broader policy aimed at maintaining neutrality and avoiding political statements beyond recognised international days.
- In social media, the limitation on the hoisting of the rainbow flag for CSD celebrations has sparked conversations about policy-and-legislation, politics, and crime-and-justice, with some viewing it as a setback for fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, entertainment, general-news, and war-and-conflicts related to LGBTQ+ rights.
