Notes on the Rainbow Flag's Absence Over Bundestag: Is Germany'sMulticultural Society Facing a Backlash?
Societal diversity confronting pushback?
By Aljoscha Prange
June, the month of Pride, typically brings joyous Christopher Street Day (CSD) parades across Germany. However, this year, the rainbow flag won't be flying above the Reichstag building for the first time. As right-wing extremists act against LGBTQ+ communities, political support seems scarce.
The CSD, a decades-old tradition, celebrates and commemorates the first known uprising of queer minorities against police brutality in New York's Christopher Street. The events have been an essential part of Germany's social and political calendar, with the rainbow flag's display on the Reichstag signifying diversity, self-determination, and an open society. Regrettably, this tradition might be coming to an end in 2022.
Political IndifferenceThe Bundestag President, Julia Klöckner, has decided against raising the rainbow flag on July 26, coinciding with the Berlin CSD parade. Instead, it was raised on May 17 alongside the federal and European flags. According to Klöckner, the move signaled the removal of homosexuality from the WHO's diagnostic manual in 1990, a symbolic political statement.
Not surprisingly, Alexander Irmisch, an SPD politician and co-organizer of the Regensburg CSD, strongly criticizes this lack of support. Due to an unspecified threat situation, the parade in Regensburg must be shortened. Although no concrete threats have been identified, full protection cannot always be guaranteed.
"Clearly, the rising queer antagonism necessitates special protective measures," Irmisch explains. In this concerning context, the LGBTQIA+ community needs politics' solidarity now more than ever. "It's not just about signs and symbols."
"Caving to Right-Wing Tendencies"
Apart from the rainbow flag display, the queer rainbow network of the Bundestag administration took part in CSD events in previous years. This practice will not continue this year, thanks to the new director of the Bundestag, Paul Göttke, who cited the "obligation of neutrality" as the reason for the ban. This decision, however, has been harshly criticized by labor leader Frank Werneke and Federal Queer Commissioner Sophie Koch.
Radical Hate and ThreatsThe Bundestag's choices come as violence against the LGBTQ+ community escalates. Last year, 1765 cases of sexual orientation-related crimes (a 18% increase over 2023) and 1152 cases against trans or non-binary individuals (a 35% increase) were reported to the Federal Criminal Police Office. According to Andre Lehmann, board member of the LSVD+ association Queer Diversity, this represents a gloomy peak in queer hate crimes.
Recently, hooded attackers assaulted a diversity festival in Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg, using sledgehammers and wooden planks, causing injuries to at least two individuals. In a related event, a 20-year-old in Saxony-Anhalt is suspected of planning an attack on the Wernigerode CSD. The organizers filed a complaint against him after he declared possessing weapons and "70 rounds" at home. Furthermore, right-wing extremists have organized a counter-demonstration against the Berlin Pride Parade in Marzahn-Hellersdorf district.
CDU Leaders Change Tune
Entirely disregarding Julia Klöckner's decision, CDU politicians Karin Prien and Kai Wegner have chosen a different course. Similar to past years, the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs will be present in the Berlin CSD with a float. Prien explained this move as a significant gesture demonstrating recognition and respect for society's diversity, a sharp contrast to Klöckner's approach.
Berlin's ruling mayor has also pledged participation in the city's CSD, reiterating Berlin's commitment to diversity and tolerance. The rainbow flag will fly on July 26, including at the Red City Hall, in the mayor's presence.
Sources: ntv.de
- LGBTIQ
- Homosexuality
- Equality
- SPD
- Police
- Violence
- Right-wing Extremism
- Right-wing Populism
- Julia Kloeckner
- CDU
- German Bundestag
- Despite the increase in sexual orientation-related crimes and threats against the LGBTQ+ community, the Bundestag's political support seems insufficient, with the absence of the rainbow flag over the Reichstag for the first time and the termination of CDU's participation in CSD events.
- The Bundestag's decision to withhold the rainbow flag display and the participation of the queer rainbow network in CSD events could be perceived as caving to right-wing tendencies, according to critics like Frank Werneke and Sophie Koch.
- The significance of lifestyle, relationships, politics, and general-news discussions within the context of the Rainbow Flag's absence over the Bundestag extends far beyond symbols and signs, as the LGBTQ+ community navigates an unsettling environment riddled with hate crimes and threats.
