Pride in the East | Pride in the Province: Defending Queer Rights

The current political mood in eastern Germany, especially outside of the major cities, is reflected in the reactions to announcements of regional Christopher Street Day parades . These annual demonstrations for the rights of queer people take place. These parades are no longer limited to major cities like Cologne, Berlin, and Hamburg, but also in smaller towns like Wernigerode, Rheinsberg, and—for the first time this year—Pößneck in eastern Thuringia. Resistance to these marches is growing from right-wing extremist and conservative circles.

Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains is set to host its third Pride demonstration. Organizers have agreed with the city administration on Whit Saturday as the date. This has sparked discontent within the local CDU. CDU city councilor Michael Wiecker, owner of a café on the market square, told the local press that he and other restaurateurs and hoteliers are concerned about the city's image and fear a loss of revenue, and are therefore calling for a postponement. Visitors to the city could be deterred, as participants in the demonstration have been attacked in the past and the police have had to intervene. Instead of showing solidarity, the city wants to keep potential victims of violence out of the city. The organizers, as well as Mayor Tobias Kascha (SPD), rejected the postponement. Kascha sees the Pride as an asset to the city.

In Pößneck, eastern Thuringia, the first Pride parade will also take place on Whit Saturday. Under the motto "Home is where love is," the organizers want to set an example for equality, visibility, and acceptance. The call for action states that right-wing conservative forces are trying to reverse what has been achieved. The organizers intend to oppose this.

The publication in the regional press was followed by hundreds of reactions in the comment sections, mostly negative. Some suggested they were wishing for an assassination attempt. For the organizers, such statements demonstrate the necessity of the Pride. They also point to numerous positive comments. For example, former Thuringians announced they would travel from Berlin to their hometown for the demonstration.

Hundreds of people also plan to attend the Pride Parade in Rheinsberg, Brandenburg, on May 31st. Last year, the city hosted its first such demonstration. Mayor Frank-Rudi Schwochow (Free Voters) responded to the call with derogatory online comments. He also refused to raise the rainbow flag at the town hall. No one will be deterred by that this year either.