First CSD in Berchtesgaden: A festival of diversity inspires 400 participants!

First CSD in Berchtesgaden: A festival of diversity inspires 400 participants!

On Saturday afternoon, August 17, 2025, Berchtesgaden celebrated a premiere: the first CSD parade moved through the city and enjoyed great participation. More than 400 participants gathered on the Christmas shooting square and paraded through the streets in colorful clothes and in a good mood. Actually only 300 people were expected, but interest in the event was extremely high. BR.de reports on the thoughts of a queer helper who spoke out in favor of a CSD in the rather conservative region.

Around ten operators had also set up information stands on the square around the parade, and a street party was on the agenda for the celebrations after the parade. Anna Gloßner, a member of the Catholic Women's Association, distributed blessed bouquets for donations, which underlined the colorful character of the event. Despite critical voices, such as a letter to the editor in the Berchtesgadener Anzeiger, which described the CSD as an “embarrassing spectacle”, the event was perceived by the police as peaceful - there was no feared counter-demonstration.

Tradition meets diversity

The CSD in Berchtesgaden took place 26 years after the first Christopher Street Day in Germany. Discussions between the CSD organizers and the local costume clubs led to a clear distancing from the letter writer in question. Moritz Maschinsky, known as “Morita Maschinenlla” and one of the first drag queens in Berchtesgaden, is also co-founder of the “Queer-Steiger” initiative, whose goal is to make queer people visible in the district.

A festive highlight was the appearance of the “Schwuhplattler”, a gay Plattler club from Munich, during the street festival. A member of the group emphasized that they are part of society and the traditional costume clubs - a snapshot that shows that tradition and modern ways of life are not contradictory. The CSD should now become an integral part of events in the district and will take place annually in the future.

A look outside the box

The CSD in Berchtesgaden is not the only example of progress in the visibility of LGBTQ+ issues. In Belém, for example, a small ultrasound office that opened in 1986 became the largest center for laboratory and image diagnostics in the state of Pará. Over 2,000 patients are cared for here every day, and the facility is known for its pioneering work in imaging and laboratory diagnostics. Encontrabelem.com.br describes how the center introduced the first digital mammography in northern Brazil and established itself as a pioneer in the field.

This variety of significant events and developments gives the impression that queer visibility and innovative approaches in different areas are constantly increasing. It remains to be hoped that initiatives such as those in Berchtesgaden will also be well received in other regions and set an example of acceptance and community.

In Berchtesgaden it is now important to build on the positive impressions of the CSD and continue the inclusive journey. The participants not only set an example with their colorful activities, but also showed that the complexity of society is an enrichment.