Friday, May 31
Queer community threatens to disinvite Berlin mayor from CSD
The Berlin CSD have issued Kai Wegner (CDU), the mayor of Berlin, with an ultimatum: either meet some of the longstanding demands from the queer community, or have his invitation withdrawn. A statement issued by the organisation begins: “In 2024, the queer Berlin community will not be fobbed off with warm words from politicians, but will demand the implementation of its demands with vigour.”
The statement then lists their six demands:
- Include queer people in the protections enshrined in the Federal Grundgesetz, Germany’s constitution (this is currently being blocked by the CDU at a federal level).
- Introduce measures against hate crime, and adequately fund their implementation
- Introduce compulsory gender and sexual diversity training for teaching staff
- Provide discrimination-free sports facilities in Berlin
- Ensure queer visibility in the media by earmarking 15% of all media funding to the queer community
- Include the queer community in debates over recognising multiple parenthood, with up to four parents officially recognised for a child
The governing mayor has traditionally been invited to open the CSD with a speech. But will Kai Wegner meet the demands? Marcus Voges from the board of the CSD commented: “He has until July 14th to present a complete plan of how and, above all, when these core demands will be implemented… We don’t need anyone who just comes to the CSD to wave, but a state government that implements our demands and keeps its promises.”
