CSD Bremerhaven 2025: Fight loudly and proudly for queer rights!

CSD Bremerhaven 2025: Fight loudly and proudly for queer rights!

Next Saturday, July 12, 2025, the city of Bremerhaven will be the scene of an important event: Christopher Street Day (CSD) is just around the corner! The colorful and loud demonstration begins at 12 p.m. at the Historical Museum and leads through the city center to Theodor-Heuss-Platz. Not only can you hear the political demands of the LGBTQI* community, but also musical contributions and exciting discussions that start around 1 p.m. According to estimates, around 1,200 to 1,400 participants are expected, which represents a significant increase compared to last year with around 1,000 people.

The CSD route extends over several streets: Ludwigstrasse, Elbestrasse, Kennedybrücke, Columbusstrasse, Lloydstrasse, Deichstrasse and Fährstrasse. Finally, the colorful celebration will end at 8 p.m. To ensure everything runs smoothly, the police have already announced slight traffic disruptions along the route from 12 p.m. Although there has been increased alert at CSDs in recent weeks, no specific threats have been reported for Bremerhaven. A comprehensive security concept with steward services, police and an awareness team is in place to protect both participants and spectators.

Demands and motto

The motto of this year's CSD “Never be quiet again – Loud and proud” highlights the demands that the organizers are making to society. The central message of the CSD is the visibility and equality of queer people. In Bremerhaven, the organizers are calling for queer counseling services, which are currently severely underserved, as well as more visibility and protection for queer people in schools. This also includes the desire to integrate queer history into history lessons. The CSD is intended to provide a platform to combat discrimination and advocate for queer rights.

Current developments show that the CSD is not only a celebration, but also a necessary protest against the ongoing discrimination and persecution of queer people. The origins of the CSD go back to 1969, when guests of the “Stonewall Inn” in New York protested against police arbitrariness. The effects of these events are still felt today. Historians point to the increasing uncertainty regarding the rights fought for by the LGBTQI* community - despite advances such as marriage for all and the Self-Determination Act passed in the last two decades.

Challenges and review

Historically, queer people have experienced violence and discrimination, highlighting the need for protections. The visibility of the queer community is particularly important in order to counteract prejudice and hostility. The organizers are therefore calling for protective accommodation for queer people in violent households and sensitizing teaching staff to the issues of queer identities. Its goals are also to promote and finance queer offerings and a more comprehensive approach to sex education.

The challenges facing the CSD movement today are numerous. Meanwhile, the number of anti-queer crimes is growing, and the risk of attacks, especially at CSD events, is real. Organizers and the broader community agree: there is a need for political solidarity and further commitment to fight for equality and acceptance.

In the three years that the CSD has been taking place in Bremerhaven, a strong community has already formed that is spreading the impact of its demands and the fight for more rights into broader society. The CSD is not just a celebration, but also a visible sign of change and the unceasing commitment to equality and justice.