Dispute over CSD in Köthen: City excludes options for action!

Dispute over CSD in Köthen: City excludes options for action!

Köthen, Deutschland - On July 11, 2025, Christopher Street Day (CSD) will take place in Köthen. Under the motto "Never quiet again - Köthen l (i) Ebet diversity!" The organizers are looking forward to a large event with around 1,000 participants, which is a significant increase compared to the first edition in the previous year. But during the preparations, the conflicts between the city of Köthen and the organizers bloom. These were triggered in particular by bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of willingness to cooperate, which the anticipation of the event.

The city of Köthen has now announced that it will be able to rule out the cooperation with the previous CSD organizers. The reason is the circumstances of public communication before and during the event. The focus is particularly on the dispute over the establishment of toilet cars and supply stands, which have been discussed in advance. The city also rejected the allegations that it refused to provide necessary infrastructures. According to the city, there was a "good compromise proposal", but the organizers insisted on significant changes.

criticism from the organizers

The CSD organizers, led by Julian Miethig, have sharply criticized the editions of the city and the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, which prohibited sales stands and other infrastructures on the marketplace. Two days before the event, they called for an intervention by Mayor Christina Buchheim (Die Linke) against the requirements. Miethig described the conversation with Buchheim as difficult and emphasized that one would have preferred to avoid a legal dispute because security plays a central role for everyone.

Legal dispute and consequences

The decision about the toilet cars and supply stands was ultimately clarified and tipped over, but the conflict has already threw its shadows. The mayor even considers taking criminal steps. How to proceed remains exciting, because the CSD in Köthen exemplifies the challenges that gays, lesbians and queer people are still confronted with equality and visibility. The final rally should serve as a strong political signal of the day, followed by a separate celebration in the Mensa cellar.

for Köthen and the associated events are clear: the discussion about diversity and rights in society is far from over. The CSD could not only set a festival this year, but also an important sign of tolerance and inclusion, despite all the resistances that are still to be overcome.

Sources: mdr , Tagesschau .