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Parents complain: rainbow flag causes dispute in Berlin school!
Parents are suing against the hanging of the Progress Pride flag in a Berlin after-school care center. Court hears on June 25, 2025.
Parents complain: rainbow flag causes dispute in Berlin school!
What is currently moving people's minds in German school politics? A dispute over the “Progress Pride Flag” is causing a stir in Berlin. Parents of a student are suing against the hanging of this flag in a Berlin after-school care center. They are of the opinion that the flag represents a “politicization that is not suitable for children” and cite the state’s duty of neutrality in its educational mandate. The lawsuit is directed against the Berlin Senate Education Administration, which acts as a school supervisor. A court hearing is already scheduled for tomorrow, June 25, and a verdict is expected the same day.
The “Progress Pride Flag” is a further development of the traditional rainbow flag. It includes additional colors that symbolize different queer communities: black and brown wedges represent “people of color,” while the colors white, light blue and pink represent the trans community. A yellow arrow with a purple circle represents intersex people. This diversity illustrates the conscious approach to making all voices within the LGBTQI* community visible.
Political controversies and their roots
But the discussion about the flag is not just limited to Berlin. In Bavaria, the AfD has submitted a bill that would ban the hoisting of rainbow and EU flags on state buildings. Only the federal flag, the Bavarian state flag and the municipal flag should be allowed. This proposal has sparked strong criticism from other factions in the Bavarian state parliament. Doris Rauscher from the SPD said it was amazing how upset some people can be about a small, colorful flag. The motion was also clearly rejected by the CSU and Free Voters as it was seen as potentially divisive.
Florian Siekmann from the Greens sharply criticized the AfD's plans. He sees it as an attempt to banish the queer community from public space. This accusation is not unfounded, considering the historical context of the rainbow flag, which has symbolized the rights and visibility of LGBTQI* people since 1978. Originally designed by Gilbert Baker, it is also intended to commemorate the decades-long fight against discrimination.
Flag dispute in the Bundestag
The rainbow flag remains a central part of the pride of the LGBTQI* community. It symbolizes not only the diversity of ways of life and love, but also the unceasing fight against discrimination and for the equal rights of all people. The Bundestag will have to do without the bright colors, a decision that is often interpreted as part of conservative rhetoric.
As the discussions in Berlin, Bavaria and in the Bundestag show, we live in a time in which the symbolism of flags and their meaning are being questioned more than ever by the public. Even though there are no legal regulations requiring the flying of a flag, the desire for visibility and support for the LGBTQI* community remains strong and unwavering.
The discourse surrounding the “Progress Pride Flag” has received further impetus, particularly in the last few days. The developments promise to remain a topic of high relevance in the future.