Last year, the CSD was largely canceled. But with the end of the corona pandemic, not only larger demonstrations, but also parties on the streets are possible again.
Berlin – The mixture was colorful and loud again, at least as much party as demonstration. Several thousand people demonstrated on Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin for equal rights for gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities.
They ran in three protest marches in the direction of Alexanderplatz on Saturday. Many participants had rainbow flags with them, some were disguised, loud music was playing to accompany them. Most of them wore mouth and nose protection because of the corona pandemic. The motto of the events was “CSD Berlin Pride”. The police spoke of a number of participants in the mid four-digit range.
The demonstrators’ banners read “Queerschutz now” and “No sex with Nazis”. Others criticized the discrimination against homosexuals in Hungary or turned against capitalism. Some men and women walked with them in police uniforms, others had brightly colored hair or bare chests, danced in the sunshine and drank champagne. The majority of the people, however, were dressed normally. In addition to the traditional rainbow flags, there were also many pink flags with a white unicorn.
The demonstration marches began at Hermannplatz in Neukölln, Oranienplatz in Kreuzberg and in Prenzlauer Berg. According to the organizers, each train has its own focus. It’s about feminist issues, racism, trans and intersexuality as well as the lesbian and gay movement in the GDR. “The Stern Pride demo should give everyone the opportunity to show their differences together.” At the same time, there were panel discussions that were broadcast on the Internet.
The event was announced by the organizers as a conscious alternative to the classic Berlin CSD with the big party parade. “We say goodbye to the idea that an institution has the monopoly on organizing a CSD Pride demonstration,” it said.
In previous years, the CSD had drawn hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets as a parade. Last year, however, such large events were canceled due to the corona pandemic. This year another large demonstration is planned in Berlin on July 24th. In other cities demonstrations and celebrations take place on other weekends, so that many participants go on CSD trips.
The CSD reminds of the rights of lesbians, gays and other sexual minorities. On June 28, 1969, police officers stormed the “Stonewall Inn” bar on Christopher Street in New York and sparked a riot of gays, lesbians and transsexuals against arbitrariness. dpa
