Berlin's annual Pride march, part of the two-day Christopher Street Day festival, is expected to draw hundreds of thousands as organisers warn of a tougher climate for LGBTQ+ people. Board member Thomas Hoffmann said legal protections are being rolled back in places and hate crimes are increasing, and he called for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities. Mayor Kai Wegner and, for the first time, Berlin's state government will join the parade while police prepare for a small far-right counter-demonstration. Organisers said they remain in close contact with police but described the rise in opposition to Pride events this year as worrying.
Berlin Pride Draws Hundreds of Thousands as Organisers Warn LGBTQ Rights Are Under Pressure
FILE PHOTO - People take part in the 47th Berlin Pride, the demonstration for Christopher Street Day (CSD). (is associated with: «Berlin Pride organizers say LGBTQ rights under increasing pressure») Carsten Koall/dpa
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected in Berlin this weekend for the city's annual Pride march, but organisers say the social climate for LGBTQ+ people has hardened and they intend to use the event to push back.
Thomas Hoffmann, a board member of Berlin Christopher Street Day (CSD), warned that "queer people are under increasing pressure worldwide," with legal protections being rolled back in some countries and hate crimes on the rise.
"We're not getting quieter, we're getting louder — and we'll keep it up until everyone in Germany can live freely, safely, and on their own terms," Hoffmann said.
The two-day festival, held locally as Christopher Street Day, carries this year's slogan: "Having convictions is hot." Berlin CSD is among the largest LGBTQ+ gatherings in Europe and combines celebration with political advocacy.
Calls For Stronger Protections
Hoffmann urged authorities to adopt effective measures to counter hate crimes and better protect vulnerable groups. He said organisers are watching political developments closely, in particular polling for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt, where voters will elect a new state parliament in early September.
"This party's positions are clear, and the queer community is afraid," Hoffmann said, stressing the need for concrete protection rather than just statements of support.
FILE PHOTO - A view of a Pride flag. (is associated with: «Berlin Pride organizers say LGBTQ rights under increasing pressure») Fabian Sommer/dpa
Security And Participation
Mayor Kai Wegner is expected to join the parade, and for the first time Berlin's state government will participate with its own float. Police say they are preparing for a small far-right counter-demonstration during Saturday's events, with roughly 100 participants registered.
Organisers say they are not currently alarmed and noted that a similar right-wing rally in Berlin last year attracted limited support. "We are also in close and trusting contact with the Berlin police," Hoffmann added.
Even so, organisers described the broader trend as worrying: "In the past, there were no counter-demonstrations against Berlin CSD or other Pride events," Hoffmann said. "But in 2024, the far-right was able to mobilize significant opposition to Pride marches in cities such as Bautzen and Leipzig."
Historical Context
The CSD commemorates the 1969 police raid on the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in New York, which triggered several days of protests by gay men, lesbians and transgender people and helped spark a global rights movement.
As attendees gather to celebrate visibility and demand safety and rights, organisers say the message is clear: continued vigilance, stronger protections and broad societal support are needed to safeguard hard-won freedoms.
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