Peaceful CSD in Hanover: 6,500 celebrate for more tolerance!

Peaceful CSD in Hanover: 6,500 celebrate for more tolerance!

in Hanover, Christopher Street Day (CSD) took place on June 7, 2025, an important event to strengthen the right -wing people. According to the organizers and the police, around 6,500 people took part in the colorful demonstration train. These are more participants than at the last rally, in which around 5,500 people were counted. The event was peaceful and in a good mood, as a police spokesman confirmed. Nadine Rochlitzer, board member of the CSD, was pleased with the positive atmosphere and at the same time pointed out the increasing hate crime against queer people who are associated with a decline in tolerance.

Prime Minister Olaf sent a greeting in which he clearly spoke out for diversity and equality. This message was also heard on the opera field, where the rally began. The participants actively defended themselves on Saturday afternoon for more tolerance and visibility. After the rally, the elevator moved through the city center and set a strong sign for the support of the LGBTQ+community.

a solemn ambience and future events

The festival in the city center continues until late in the evening with music, information stands as well as food and drinks. In addition, the queer community plans another celebration on Pentecost Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The CSD has a profound historical meaning. He commemorates the events of June 28, 1969 when police officers stormed the well-known gay and lesbian "Stonewall Inn" in New York. This incident led to protests several days and is considered to be one of the greatest emancipation movements in the history of the United States and worldwide. In Germany, too, the CSD has become more important since its first parade in Berlin, which was organized by Bernd Gaiser in 1979 and has become an integral part of the annual program in many cities.

The political dimension of the CSD events remains a central topic. According to Klaus Jetz, Managing Director of the Lesbian and Gay Association of Germany (LSVD), the political content is still of great importance despite the grown commercialization of the events. The LSVD is also committed to supplementing the ban on discrimination in the Basic Law, while violence against lesbians and gays increases steadily.

Return to the roots of the movement remains an important concern for many activists. Some have launched the “Transgenial CSD” to represent alternative topics and perspectives. Bernd Gaiser demands more attention for older lesbian and gay people in future CSDs.

Overall, this year's event in Hanover shows that the struggle for the rights of the LGBTQ+community is still relevant and is strengthened by broad social support. The experiences and fights of the past must not be forgotten how the history of the CSD impressively instructs.