Status: 04/13/2022 12:44 p.m
In the future, the rainbow flag may be hoisted in front of federal buildings on certain occasions. Interior Minister Faeser gave permission to replace the “completely outdated previous practice”.
In future, the rainbow flag may be hoisted on federal government buildings on certain occasions. The Federal Ministry of the Interior announced that the corresponding approval had been granted. Without this approval, there have been frequent discussions in the past, according to the ministry.
“We want discrimination against people based on their sexual identity to come to an end in all areas of society,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. “We want to show solidarity with everyone who still has to experience exclusion. The rainbow flag is the symbol known worldwide for this.”
According to the ministry, the reason for setting the rainbow flag must be a specific date such as “Christopher Street Day” (CSD) or another local or regional event such as “Pride Week”.
Exceptions on general flag flying days
The Ministry of the Interior explained that flags on public buildings with the rainbow flag in combination with the federal flag touch on the question of the use of state symbols. The federal flag has constitutional status. “In order to get the acceptance of state symbols in the population, the maintenance of state neutrality is absolutely necessary.” These considerations informed the decision to allow the rainbow flag to be raised on certain occasions.
The flag may therefore not be flown on certain days, for example if a special display of flags has been ordered or on a so-called regular general display of flags. These include the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism on January 27th, Labor Day on May 1st, the Day of German Unity on October 3rd and days of federal or European elections.
Rainbow flag as a sign of tolerance
“Christopher Street Day” (CSD) is a festival, commemoration and demonstration day for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans people. On this day, demonstrations are held for the rights of these groups and against discrimination and exclusion. The day commemorates the first known uprising by homosexuals and other sexual minorities against the arbitrary police force on New York’s Christopher Street on June 28, 1969.
The rainbow flag stands for tolerance towards gays, lesbians and transgender people. Faeser called the ban on hoisting them on federal buildings a “completely outdated previous practice”. She explained: “We are a modern and diverse country. It is high time that we also show this more clearly as state institutions.”