Rainbow flags, decorated trucks and garish costumes: According to the organizers, around a quarter of a million people campaigned for more tolerance at the Christopher Street Day demo in downtown Hamburg on Saturday. Accompanied by loud music, golden confetti and colorful balloons, the CSD parade of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals started from the long row in St. Georg.
The start was about 45 minutes later than planned. “It was so full that we couldn’t get through,” said Manuel Opitz from Hamburg Pride of the German Press Agency. Crowded, people stood in bright sunshine and celebrated exuberantly.
“Absolutely amazing!”, a woman shouted and pulled out her mobile phone camera as the 116 groups, including 50 trucks, marched past her to loud beats in the direction of the main station, Mönckebergstrasse and the Esplanade. Another woman held a sign that read, “Love whoever you want!” up.
Organizer: Hamburg sends a clear signal
“We are absolutely satisfied,” said Opitz during the demonstration, which lasted several hours. Hamburg has sent a very clear signal. The motto of the parade was “Self-determination now! Allied against trans*phobia”. “Hamburg stands for tolerance
According to Opitz, far more than 60 events during Pride Week were a new record. “The interest is very, very large, also because Pride Week is politically charged like seldom before.” This is already shown by the motto: “We demand a self-determination law for trans people, which also deserves its name and really enables a self-determined life,” he said.
Christopher Street Day takes place every year in many cities around the world and commemorates the events of June 28, 1969: At that time, police officers stormed the New York gay and lesbian bar “Stonewall Inn” on Christopher Street, triggering multi-day protests by gays, lesbians and transsexuals.
