Visibility and Safety: The Fight for Queer Rights at Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Oldenburg

2023-06-18 10:09:14

Status: 06/18/2023 10:09 a.m

According to the police, around 11,000 people took part in the central demonstration for Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Oldenburg. The motto: “Live queer diversity – visible and safe”.

by Anna Schlieter

According to the organizers, they wanted to point out that queer people could and wanted to make an important contribution to a diverse society in everyday life. Even if lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intergender, and generally queer people (LSBTIQ*) are part of everyday life, it should be up to each person how they live queer diversity, according to the organizing team. That is not always the case in Germany, and certainly not worldwide. That’s why the participants in Oldenburg want to campaign loudly and visibly for the rights of queer people.

AUDIO: After attacks: CSD Hannover adapts security concept (06/06/2023) (1 min)

Attacks at CSD Hanover: The topic of security is very topical

The motto of the 29th edition of the CSD in Oldenburg from the point of view of safety has been fixed since the beginning of the year, but could hardly be more up-to-date. There have just been two cases anti-queer hate crime at the CSD in Hanover at the end of May. A 17-year-old trans man and an 18-year-old non-binary person were insulted and beaten up. The state security police are investigating. In addition, it should there have been further bullying against participants of the CSD. The Oldenburg police did not report any incidents to the CSD until the evening.

Oldenburg: “A very queer-friendly city”

“It’s sad that something like this still happens,” says Andreas Gerbrand, Chairman of the Board of CSD Nordwest eV The association organizes the CSD in Oldenburg. “Fortunately, Oldenburg is a very queer-friendly city. As far as I know, nothing like this has ever happened at the CSD here.” This is also confirmed by the Oldenburg Police Inspectorate. Nothing was changed in the safety concept for Saturday after the incident in Hanover became known. Participants who feel uncomfortable in situations during the event could come to the association’s information stand at any time.

Further information