Cologne Pride draws 1.5 million in record CSD turnout as politicians warn of rising queer hostility
Around 1.5 million people celebrated Christopher Street Day in Cologne on Sunday, making it the largest edition of the parade in the city's history. Politicians used the occasion to voice alarm over growing hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Record turnout
Cologne's Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade drew an estimated 1.5 million visitors on Sunday, according to organizer Cologne Pride. Around 60,000 participants marched in 250 groups through the city centre, accompanied by a multi-day street festival. The association said the city had never been so full during a CSD demonstration. Police reported no incidents by Sunday afternoon.
Political presence and warnings
North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) attended for the first time, citing growing concern.
He stressed that the police protect everyone, regardless of lifestyle.I am here because I am increasingly worried. We have more and more people who claim the right to dictate how others must live. That is a mistake.
Former Culture State Minister Claudia Roth (Greens) called the CSD the largest demonstration for democracy in Germany and said the signal was being sent to "enemies of democracy" gathering at an AfD party conference in Erfurt. Former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) said the CSD had never been more important, as queer rights were under growing pressure.
If rights are abolished and those affected are invisible, we will go under. Cologne shows that, fortunately, this is not the case.
Voices from the crowd
Participants described a mix of celebration and anxiety. One marcher, Martin, who travels to 20 CSD events each summer, recounted everyday hostility: insults, spitting, and intimidation. He also spoke of finding community in a queer church group in Giessen. The parade's motto was "Für Queerrechte – Viele. Gemeinsam. Stark!" (For queer rights – Many. Together. Strong!).
A peaceful, colourful statement
The parade, one of Europe's largest, traces its roots to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York. Organisers emphasised the demonstration was peaceful but loud in defence of queer rights. The event concluded without any security incidents, according to police.
