The Munich Christopher Street Day (CSD) wants to oppose the shift to the right in Germany and the world under the motto “United in diversity – together against the right” this summer. “Our democracy is in danger,” said the Munich CSD on Wednesday as justification. “Right-wing forces, especially the AfD, deny us citizens dignity, freedom and a self-determined life.”
The CSD in the Bavarian capital will take place on June 22nd and 23rd this year. The two-week “Pride Weeks” begin on June 8th with more than 100 events. “As a vulnerable group, queer people quickly sense when life and freedom are threatened,” said Thomas Niederbühl, city councilor for the Pink List and political spokesman for the CSD Munich.
There is growing transphobia and homophobia in society. According to CSD Munich, a total of 230 incidents were reported to “Strong!”, the LGBTIQ* specialist office against discrimination and violence in Bavaria, last year – 71 more than the previous year. The statistics show that it is not about “everyday friction” but about hate crime. “Transphobia and homophobia are not trivial offenses.”
According to police figures, Christopher Street Day mobilized a total of 520,000 people last year, more than ever before. 181 cars with 60,000 participants formed a queue several kilometers long from Mariahilfplatz to the opera. The first Munich CSD version, then called the Stonewall Demo, took place in 1980.