[Date Registered] 2024-04-08 [Views] 2513
Christopher Street Day (CSD) is an occasion for the LGBTQ+ community to voice their rights1. Although it is a rally rooted in resistance, the atmosphere is joyful and light2. Music you might hear in a club plays, and participants march and dance through the streets3. When passing through residential areas, residents sometimes open their windows and welcome the crowds4. During this period, rainbow flags are displayed on major city locations such as central stations, city halls, and churches5.
The first CSD in history was held in New York in June 19696. It commemorated the Stonewall Riots, which were a resistance against police oppression of homosexuality7. At the time, homosexuality was classified as a crime in the United States, and the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in New York was a gathering place for homosexual people8. After the establishment was frequently raided by the New York Police, thousands of people gathered to protest against it9.
< A rally participant holding a rainbow flag at the 2023 CSD event in Darmstadt - Source: Correspondent photo >
Subsequently, CSD became an event held outside the United States to advance minority rights10. In Europe, June is often called **'Pride Month'**11. The first German CSD was held in Berlin in 197912. Since then, CSD has been held every summer in various German cities13. Various entities participate, including political parties, civic organizations, and corporations, not just the general public14.
In 2017, the German Federal Parliament legalized same-sex marriage15. At the time, the bill to legalize same-sex marriage passed with 393 votes in favor (62%), 225 votes against (35%), and 4 abstentions (0.6%)16. Angela Dorothea Merkel, the then-German Chancellor, voted against the bill, stating that "marriage in the German Basic Law (the equivalent of a constitution) is the union of a man and a woman"17. However, she also said that "the legalization of same-sex marriage will bring more social peace"18. At the time, a public opinion poll showed that up to 80% of Germans favored the legalization of same-sex marriage19. Of the 309 members of the parliamentary group formed by Merkel's party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), 225 members (72%) voted against the bill20. This stood in contrast to the progressive forces in parliament—the Social Democratic Party (SPD), The Left (Die Linke), and The Greens (Die Grüne)—which recorded no opposing votes21.
< The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) appearing at the CSD event - Source: Correspondent photo >
That same conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union, appeared at the CSD event22. The Christian Democratic Union joined the rainbow march using large vehicles23. The CSD held in Frankfurt on July 15, 2023, was attended by an estimated 13,000 people according to police, and 15,000 people according to the organizers24. The event's slogan was 'Here & Queer,' aimed at protecting the rights of the sexual minority community, referred to as 'LGBTIQ'25. With hate crimes against sexual minorities still widespread in Germany, the police prepared for potential incidents26.
Among the general participants, there was criticism of the Christian Democratic Union27. The participation of the conservative party in CSD was deemed 'pinkwashing'—promoting a corporation or political organization while appearing to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights without genuine intent for substantial action28. Svenja Hanse (24), a participant in the 2023 Frankfurt CSD, stated: "The Christian Democratic Union has participated in this event for years. They do not advocate for the rights of sexual minorities and are actually the party that speaks out against them in the German parliament"29. She added, "I think their CSD participation is very problematic because it's aimed at improving the party's image and gaining votes"30.
< A participant at the 2023 Darmstadt CSD holding a sign that reads 'viel sehr bunt' (very much colorful/diverse) - Source: Correspondent photo >
The well-known German daily newspaper, taz.de, reported an incident at the 2023 Hamburg CSD where the Christian Democratic Union's invitation was canceled by the organizers' decision31. Thomas Thomsen, the representative of the LGBTQ+ group within the Christian Democratic Union (LSU), stated that "Dennis Thering, the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union in the state of Hamburg, distanced himself from Mertens' remarks. Other members of the Christian Democratic Union have not distanced themselves, despite requests from the LSU"32. Sabine Mertens, a spokesperson for a local Hamburg daily newspaper, caused controversy after saying, "If we all have to be gay, lesbian, and transgender now, then evolution is over," but later retracted the statement33.
The participation of the Christian Democratic Union in the parade remains a point of controversy34. Thomas Thomsen stated, "Sometimes it is a harder fight. That is why it is important that members of the Christian Democratic Union participate in Christopher Street Day"35.
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