CSD in Kassel: 2000 celebrations for queer rights - courageous voices against hostility

CSD in Kassel: 2000 celebrations for queer rights - courageous voices against hostility

Around 2,000 people celebrated Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Kassel on September 21, 2025. The colorful celebration on Friedrichsplatz was preceded by attentive speeches and rousing music. The motto of the event was:“Queer joy is an act of resistance”, a symbol of diversity, acceptance and the need to stand up for the rights of the LGBTQI* community. Despite the colorful flags and festive outfits, there was a noticeable feeling of insecurity, as Florian Graßme from the organizing team reported: “Hostility against queer people is increasing.” These experiences were also taken up by Kassel's mayor Nicole Maisch, who emphasized that trans people in particular often feel unsafe in public.

Although the event was both political and celebratory, the number of participants was significantly lower compared to last year, when 3,500 people came. It seems as if the social climate has become harsher. A review shows that CSDs have been active since the uprisings on Stonewall Inn in 1969 represent a platform for protest and visibility that is still very relevant today.

A varied course

The demonstration began at 12 p.m., but did not officially start moving until 1 p.m. and wound its way through the city with music and slogans. Police surveillance reported a relaxed course of events without any special incidents. Florian Graßme, among others, also spoke at the destination, the university campus, who underlined the importance of the political message behind the celebration and which advocates for safe spaces for queer people. The day was rounded off with a drag show and a big party that lasted well into the night.

However, some participants expressed criticism of increasing commercialization. The wearing of the rainbow flag by major brands was seen as not showing solidarity but as purely capitalist. This shows that differentiation and real support for the queer movement is necessary, especially in times when the pressure on this community is increasing.

Continued setbacks and challenges

The CSD in Kassel takes place in a social context in which discrimination and persecution of queer people have not stopped. The events of the last few years illustrate an alarming increase in anti-queer crimes in Germany. Historically, the struggle for equality remains both an ongoing theme and a repetition of the challenges of the past. Key figures like Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Magnus Hirschfeld remind us of how long the fight for queer rights has been and that there is still a long way to go.

In Kassel, people came together not only to celebrate, but also to show solidarity. The sense of community and visible support are now even more important to ensure that the rights already achieved continue to exist in the future. One appeal remains: “We have to continue to fight for justice and security – this is our act of resistance,” summed up a participant from the Puppy scene.

The CSD in Kassel was more than just a celebration - it was a demonstration for acceptance, diversity and the eternal demand for equality. It remains to be seen how this important activism will develop in the coming months.