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CSD Cottbus 2025: Peaceful march despite right-wing protests!
Cottbus celebrates Christopher Street Day 2025 despite protests from right-wing extremists, with demands for security for the queer community.
CSD Cottbus 2025: Peaceful march despite right-wing protests!
Christopher Street Day (CSD) took place in Cottbus on October 25, 2025, with the motto “United in Peace and Diversity”. Despite the peaceful mood among the approximately 400 to 600 expected participants, which the police estimated was in the mid-three-digit range, there were also right-wing extremist counter-events. Around 90 people from the right-wing extremist scene demonstrated against the queer community and carried banners that read: "No to the CSD! Our city remains heterosexual!" and showed corresponding flags. Security was increased due to these protests, and several criminal cases were filed because participants displayed signs of unconstitutional organizations. Fortunately, two people were excluded from the counter-demonstration because they were suspected of inciting crimes, as the Tagesspiegel reported.
The CSD is not only important locally, but is part of a larger movement for equal rights for the LGBTQI* community, an issue that has a long history. The roots of Pride parades, which universally fight for equality and visibility, lie in the Stonewall Inn riot in New York in 1969, suggesting the need to fight for the rights of queer people. This story is told again and again not only in Cottbus, but also throughout Germany. Deutschlandfunk highlights the ongoing challenges facing the community - ongoing discrimination and an increasing number of anti-queer crimes are alarming.
The memories and challenges
CSD spokesman Christian Müller emphasized that queer people are often afraid of coming out - a fact that is constantly being questioned these days. Despite the CSD celebrations, there remains a constant call for protection and safety for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. The CSD is not only a celebration of diversity, but also a central place to draw attention to discriminatory structures that unfortunately still exist.
In addition to the protests against the CSD, activities also took place on the same day in the Cottbus stadium, where an Energie Cottbus football match was played. So while the city experienced two different events at the same time, the alliance of the queer community and its supporters was particularly important in sending a clear signal of tolerance and acceptance.
The ongoing hostility against queer events clearly shows that the fight for equality is far from over in Germany. Historians warn of possible regressions in the rights that were fought for. Solidarity and a political commitment to defend these rights are therefore essential. It remains to be hoped that events like the CSD in Cottbus are not only an expression of joy and cohesion, but also provide an impetus for deeper social changes.