7,000 people demonstrate in Düsseldorf: Love unites, hate destroys!”

7,000 people demonstrate in Düsseldorf: Love unites, hate destroys!”

On June 22, 2025, over 7,000 people found their way to the demonstration “Love unites – hate destroys!” in Düsseldorf. This impressive number is part of the Christopher Street Day (CSD), which offers a variety of events not only in the NRW capital, but also in many other German cities. The aim of the demo is to promote visibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community and to send a strong message against hate. The spirit of this event is clear: “Connecting through love and rejecting hate.”

The CSD has developed into an important social event in recent years. Loud daily news The organizers have drawn a consistently positive conclusion for 2023, with over 140 events in Germany. Almost four million people were mobilized, and one million of them actively took part in the demonstrations. This is the highest number since the CSD was founded and shows that the need for visibility and support for the community remains high.

The roots of the CSD

Christopher Street Day has its roots in a significant historical context. It commemorates the Stonewall riots that took place in New York in 1969, when homosexual people protested against violent police raids. These events marked the beginning of a global emancipation movement for LGBTQ+ rights, such as the Federal Agency for Civic Education described in detail. The first CSD parade in Germany was only held in the late 1970s, and the first major event took place in Berlin in 1979. With around 450 participants, this beginning was characterized by a predominantly positive atmosphere, without the hostility that was typical of the early years of the movement.

In the last few decades, the CSD has developed significantly and has been partly commercialized. While various political parties take part in the CSD and the events have grown in size and visibility, critics are concerned about the loss of the original political message. Nevertheless, various actors within the community advocate not losing sight of the political content.

Current challenges and successes

Despite the successes, there are still challenges to be overcome. In some regions, especially in eastern Germany, CSDs are disrupted by right-wing radical groups. Violence and hatred have also been a theme at recent events. For example, at the CSD in Münster, a fatal incident from 2022 was remembered, in which the perpetrator was sentenced to five years in youth custody. This shows that sensitivity to violence and discrimination remains high and that we must fight to create a safe environment for all participants daily news reported.

However, the CSD events are more than just demos. They are also a meeting place that accommodates broad group participation. There are also church communities, sports clubs and fire departments that are actively involved. All of this promotes integration and the recognition of diverse identities within society.

In conclusion, the CSD is not only a historical legacy, but also an ongoing symbol of the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. The demonstrations connect people through love and solidarity and set a clear tone against hatred and discrimination.