Hape Kerkeling named ambassador for Leipzig Christopher Street Day, warns of 'colder wind' for queer rights
The actor, comedian and bestselling author will serve as one of two official ambassadors for the 18 July event, using the role to warn that hard-won freedoms are once again up for debate.
A prominent voice joins the cause
The Christopher Street Day (CSD) demonstration and street festival in Leipzig has secured a high-profile supporter. Organisers announced on 10 June that Hape Kerkeling, the 61-year-old actor, comedian and bestselling author, will serve as one of two official ambassadors for this year's event. The identity of the second ambassador has not yet been disclosed. The CSD is scheduled to take place in the eastern German city on 18 July.
Kerkeling is among the most recognisable queer personalities in Germany. The term queer is used by people who do not identify with the heteronormative majority, including those who are gay, bisexual or transgender. His involvement brings significant public attention to the Leipzig event, which combines a political demonstration with a street celebration.
A combative message for 2026
The 2026 CSD Leipzig motto is "Keine Ruhe, kein Zurück - Queere Rechte Stück für Stück!" ("No rest, no going back — queer rights step by step!"). Kerkeling addressed the tone of the slogan directly.
Our motto this year, 'No rest, no going back — queer rights step by step!', sounds combative, and it has to be. Because we can all feel that the wind is getting colder. When achievements we thought were secure are up for debate again, when people have to be afraid to walk through our city centres holding hands, that is an alarm signal for all of us.
He added that freedom must be nurtured and, at times, defended. The remarks reflect a broader anxiety within Germany's queer community about the political climate and the durability of rights won over recent decades.
The legacy of Christopher Street
The Christopher Street Day tradition traces its origins to the 1969 uprisings of the queer community on Christopher Street in New York City. Across Germany and beyond, CSD events serve simultaneously as a celebration and a day of remembrance for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and other queer individuals. The gatherings are designed to promote visibility and advocate for full equality.
Leipzig's 2026 edition continues that tradition, with Kerkeling's ambassadorship lending the event both cultural weight and a sharper political edge. Organisers have framed the day as a protest as much as a festival, a stance the new ambassador clearly shares.
