Criticism of Klöckner: Bundestag boycotts CSD and rainbow flag!

Criticism of Klöckner: Bundestag boycotts CSD and rainbow flag!

The decision by Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) that the Bundestag administration will not take part in Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin this year is making waves and causing widespread criticism in the LGBTI community. Klöckner prohibited Bundestag employees from taking part in the demonstration as a recognizable group and also did not allow the rainbow flag to be hoisted on the Reichstag building on the day of the event. She linked her actions to the requirement of neutrality and pointed out that the Bundestag administration was not allowed to take part in political demonstrations and public meetings, while off-duty employees could of course take part. This decision was made despite the previous tradition that the Bundestag administration has always shown a strong, visible presence at the CSD in Berlin in recent years. The Berliner CSD association emphasizes that the withdrawal is seen as an “active rejection of queer visibility” and is demanding that Klöckner make a public statement to clarify her position. [SWR] reports that Klöckner sees this as part of her duty of neutrality.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the reaction to Klöckner's decision is just as clear. The association of LGBTI groups, Queernet-RLP, sharply criticized the action, with Joachim Schulte, spokesman for Queernet-RLP, stating that Klöckner's decision serves a social trend that restricts people's freedom. In addition, Koblenzer's queer representative Patricia Pederzani noted that LGBTQI is not an ideological construct, but rather part of identity, thus questioning Klöckner's view of neutrality. The President of the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament, Hendrik Hering (SPD), also takes Klöckner seriously. He sees the CSD as an indispensable symbol of equality and respect and as part of the state's duty to protect queer people. This importance for society as a whole is also underlined in Bad Kreuznach, where city administrations such as Mainz, Nierstein and Bingen support the CSD. Stefan Butz, CSD organizer in Bad Kreuznach, describes Klöckner's decision as a wrong signal.

The roots of Christopher Street Day

Christopher Street Day has its roots in the protests of the LGBTI movement that began in Germany in the early 20th century. A key moment was the police disturbance at the Stonewall Inn in New York in 1969, where LGBTI people were resisting discrimination. A year later, on June 28, 1970, the first “Christopher Street Liberation Day” took place, which is considered the first Pride demonstration and is now celebrated worldwide with hundreds of thousands of participants. June, the official Pride Month, makes a strong statement about the visibility and rights of LGBTI communities. Even though the legal situation has made progress in many countries - such as marriage for all in Germany - there are still many outstanding demands. These include, among other things, the introduction of a self-determination law and reforms in parentage law. Attacks against LGBTI people remain a serious problem, making continued protest and solidarity during Pride events essential. [Amnesty] points out that despite some positive developments, such as the largest Pride parade in Moldova, there are deep repressions against LGBTI activists in other countries such as Russia and Turkey.

Against this background, at a time when the visibility and protection of the rights of LGBTI people are more important than ever, Klöckner's decision is perceived as a step backwards. The CSD not only offers a space to celebrate diversity, but is also an essential forum for protest against discrimination and for equality. The demand for complete equality and respect for the identity of all people therefore remains central and relevant.