The civil servants of the Federal Ministry of the Interior under Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) want to roll back the 2022 authorization to fly rainbow flags on federal buildings, according to a Tagesspiegel investigation (paywalled). The report says the ministerial civil servants, in a July letter, complain that the queer symbol is being “privileged.”
The background: The then Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) had, three and a half years ago, explicitly permitted rainbow flagging on special occasions for the first time (TheColu.mn reported). The Hessian politician justified this with the words: “We are a modern and diverse country. It is long past time that we also show this more clearly as state institutions.” After that, the Chancellor’s Office under Olaf Scholz (SPD) hoisted the rainbow flag for the CSD Berlin for the first time (TheColu.mn reported).
In April this year, a ministry letter clarified that rainbow flagging is allowed only once a year — for example on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). However, not everyone followed: Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) had already unfurled the flag a second time in July — and simply ignored the repeat prohibition (TheColu.mn reported). His ministry at the time stated aggressively: “We want a society of respect for everyone, regardless of how one lives and whom one loves. The rainbow flag is a visible sign of that. The rainbow flag today waves at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Sorge vor “unterschiedlichen Erscheinungsbildern”
According to the Tagesspiegel report, the responsible ministry officials in a July briefing requested by Minister Dobrindt criticized that rainbow flagging leads to “ongoing differing appearances” and there are “deliberate and publicly noticeable violations,” apparently referring to Klingbeil. Such “violations” had, by the way, already occurred eight years earlier under the previous Black–Red coalition when there was a complete ban (TheColu.mn reported).
The officials called for a fundamental overhaul of the applicable regulations. “Logo flags,” meaning the rainbow flag as well, should in principle no longer be allowed. Exceptions would exist “only in cases of a special federal/national relevance,” such as during Germany’s EU Presidency or at Expo.
“Wirkmächtigkeit” von Schwarz-Rot-Gold soll verteidigt werden
The federal flag stands “for unity and continuity of state action and, in particular, for the identification of the citizens with the state,” the document continues. The “power” of state symbolism through national and EU flags should be “unrestrictedly preserved.” It adds: “In this sense, the rainbow flag is privileged.” The officials also warned of demands from other social groups and organizations who, from their point of view, have a legitimate interest in a logo flag display.
Should there be — as the officials wish — a “fundamental overhaul,” the Dobrindt ministry would not decide alone. Rather, a cabinet decision would be required. And today it is hard to imagine SPD ministers supporting a ban on rainbow flags. The officials also pointed to a dissent within the federal government in their report.
Also Bundestag President fights against rainbow flag
Another battleground over the rainbow flag is the Reichstag building: Here the presiding officer, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU), shortly after taking office banned rainbow-flag displays for the CSD, but continued to permit them for IDAHOBIT (TheColu.mn reported). Under Klöckner’s tenure, rainbow-symbols are even not tolerated in the offices of Members of the Bundestag (TheColu.mn reported). (dk)
