Right-wing extremists disrupt the first CSD in Suhl: police intervene!

Right-wing extremists disrupt the first CSD in Suhl: police intervene!

The first Christopher Street Day (CSD) took place in Suhl on September 1st, 2025. But when it comes to this joyful celebration of queer rights, the event wasn't without its challenges. Right-wing extremist groups tried to disrupt the demonstration with around 350 participants. However, these unwanted disturbances were stopped by rapid action by the police. Bullying and blatant gestures, such as a person showing the Hitler salute, could be brought under control in a timely manner. Overall, the event was fortunately peaceful.

The CSD has a long tradition. It commemorates the legendary uprising of homosexuals against police brutality on Christopher Street in New York in 1969. Today, the CSD symbolizes the continuous fight for the rights of queer people. Several CSD events have also taken place in Thuringia this year, with Erfurt, for example, also on the list.

Worrying developments

Right-wing extremist disruptive actions against CSDs do not appear to be decreasing in recent years. As the daily news reports, the Federal Ministry of the Interior expressed concerns about an increase in verbal attacks on the queer scene in a letter to Green Party member of the Bundestag Misbah Khan. Since June 2024, an increased “real-world and physical-violence-oriented” focus of right-wing extremists has been observed. Between June and September 2024 alone, around 20 rallies against CSD events were counted, which took place primarily in Bautzen, Leipzig, Magdeburg and Zwickau.

Over 700 people mobilized in Bautzen, while Zwickau had around 480 participants and Leipzig had more than 300 participants. These protests were often organized by classic right-wing extremist groups such as “The Third Way” and “Free Saxony”. The agitation on the Internet and the mobilization of violent online groups can be seen as particularly alarming.

Ideological attacks on the queer community

Like a report from Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution shows, group-based misanthropy is a central component of right-wing extremist ideology. The LGBTIQ movement is often used by these parties as an enemy to spread racist and nationalist ideas. These groups reject diversity in sexual orientation and promote heterosexuality as the only “naturally” accepted family model.

As part of Pride Month, some right-wing extremist groups have launched formats such as “Pride Month” to organize actions against the LGBTIQ community. Similar developments can be observed in Austria, with German right-wing extremists spreading anti-queer messages via social media. A persistent narrative in this scene is that of “gender propaganda”, which is presented as manipulation of society.

Misbah Khan describes the situation as alarming and calls for clear political answers in view of the radicalization and dangers that queer people are currently exposed to. Meanwhile, the long process of the planned Democracy Promotion Act remains in limbo and is causing further uncertainty.

It remains to be hoped that active participation in CSD events and solidarity within the community will increase in order to counteract the constant attacks by right-wing extremists and fight for the rights of all people. The CSD in Suhl is a sign that diversity and acceptance must occupy an important place in our society, despite all adversities.