CSD Bernau defies the rain and the right - a celebration of diversity!

CSD Bernau defies the rain and the right - a celebration of diversity!

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, the city of Bernau, northeast of Berlin, was transformed into a colorful center of diversity at the third Christopher Street Day (CSD). Under the motto “Queer stays here,” around 600 to 700 people gathered to demonstrate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The event started at the train station and moved through the streets of the city, accompanied by a happy atmosphere despite the constant rain.

Mayor André Stahl from the Left Party welcomed the peaceful course of the demonstration and was pleased with the high number of participants. “The support is great,” he said, while the police reported no clashes between the demonstrators. It was a good sign at a time when CSD events nationwide are increasingly threatened by right-wing extremist provocations.

Counter-protests and security

But the joy was marred by a right-wing extremist counter-demonstration. About 40 people from the “German Youth Forward” group held a banner with the inscription “German Youth Forward”. However, the police took precautions and separated the two groups spatially. According to police spokesman Roland Kamenz, everything went smoothly, even if the atmosphere was tense due to the protest. The CSD participants didn't notice much of the counter-demonstration, but there was still a feeling of threat that dampened the character of the festival somewhat.

The police have now launched an investigation against two members of the right-wing extremist counter-protest for using “forbidden symbolism”, including SS runes on a belt. The pressure on the LGBTQ+ movement is increasing - not only in Bernau, but also in other cities such as Bad Freienwalde, where a festival for diversity was recently disrupted by a violent attack, or in Gelsenkirchen, where a CSD event was canceled shortly before it started due to the threat of violence.

A nationwide phenomenon

The increasing attacks on CSD parades are part of a worrying trend in Germany. Kai Bölle, a board member of the CSD Germany association, said that there was a massive increase in online threats. Young, right-wing extremist groups are increasingly calling for counter-actions, which is putting additional strain on the security situation for such events. Reports confirm that this pressure also affects local CSDs in cities like Regensburg and Emden, where even routes have been shortened due to abstract threat situations.

Nevertheless, the CSD in Bernau remains a symbol of resilience and community. Despite the challenges, the participants enriched the day and set an example for acceptance and diversity. The deployment of the police and the positive response from local authorities helped ensure that the event remained largely peaceful, which represented a small light in an often bleak reality for everyone involved.

To find out more about the CSD in Bernau, you can visit rbb24 and Visit Tagesspiegel. For a more in-depth context on the current security situation at CSD parades, also read the Süddeutsche.