Berlin CSD: Marriage equality debate at the fore
Berlin's Christopher Street Day has drawn crowds for 35 years. On Saturday (22.06.2013), the gay and lesbian parade made its way through the capital's streets once again - this time with a few new aspects.
Record-breaking
"50 vehicles took part this year in our parade," said Jens Meyer, spokesman for Berlin's CSD. In 2012, a few more than 40 made their way to the Brandenburg Gate. Prominent public figures like the SPD chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück also took part.
Contesting Merkel
This year's slogan included calls to demonstrate, vote and seek change - references to the reluctance within Germany's governing coalition to extend marriage rights to gay couples. "It should play no role in our society whether a person is homosexual or heterosexual - just like with gender or appearance," said Jens Meyer.
Diversity on display
People of all sorts and shapes took part: gay men, lesbians, heterosexuals - whether heavy-set, thin, tall or short. Everyone was welcome to the party, with one big exception: Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU was excluded due to the party's opposition to gay marriage policy.
Decked out
Organizers came up with a few ways to add some novelty to this year's event. "For the first time, our community awards took place," Jens Meyer said, explaining that, in addition to a jury, parade participants could vote via text message for the best parade vehicle.
Towering costumes
These two young men could have easily been in the running for a prize for their costume as Russia's Saint Basil's Cathedral. The church at Moscow's Red Square is a symbol of the city and country. The costume served as a protest against Vladimir Putin and the recent introduction of anti-gay legislation in Russia.
Colorful diplomats
CSD's opening ceremony also saw some new turns. "For the first time, diplomats from multiple countries spoke and went along for part of the parade," said Meyer. They included Denmark's ambassador Per Poulsen-Hansen as well as the US ambassador Philip D. Murphy (pictured).
Speakers' corner
And one other newcomer to the program: In the Pride Village along the parade's route, organizers set up a spot where anyone could hold a public speech, provided they registered to do so in advance. The signs shown here read "Hedonism rather than racism" and "Opening marriage for all."
Where it all began
Berlin's CSD takes its name from Christopher Street in New York. That street in Greenwich Village - popular with gays and lesbians - was the starting point on June 28, 1969, for protests against the police's treatment of sexual minorities in the city.
Stonewall Inn
To be more precise, the protests began in the bar Stonewall Inn, and they soon developed into street fights between homosexuals and the police that lasted for days. New York honors the occasion on the last Saturday in June with what it calls Christopher Street Liberation Day. The first gay pride parades took place in Germany in Berlin and Bremen in 1979.
Berlin and beyond
CSD has now become a global event. And many other German cities will host similar parades, including a large-scale CSD in Cologne (pictured above in 2012) from July 5 to 7. Erfurt and Wuppertal will host pride celebrations on June 29, while further parades will follow in Munich and at Lake Constance on July 13.