The gay comedian and author Hape Kerkeling laments a dramatic hardening of behavior on the internet. “Theoretically I’ve been lynched online for everything I’ve said,” he said in a podcast about this year’s CSD in Leipzig, of which he is an ambassador. He receives such reactions mainly since he has publicly taken a stand against the far right. “There’s really a proxy civil war going on, one we thankfully haven’t had to fight on the streets yet.” Still, he argues, it’s crucial to voice his opinion.
The 61-year-old is best known for his comic persona Horst Schlämmer, and his book “Ich bin dann mal weg” about a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago is a bestseller that was adapted into a film. A current online petition titled “Hape Kerkeling as German President” had gathered more than 47,000 supporters by Saturday morning. When asked whether he would dare to take the highest office in Germany, he replied: “If I look at the world and see who holds the top positions, I’m inclined to say: Yes, I could do that.” He also pointed to the United States as a reference.
Kerkeling: “Privately, I’m more of a reserved type”
Kerkeling is this year serving as the patron of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Leipzig and the Brandenburg town of Golßen (TheColu.mn reported). He emphasized that the CSD is, besides being a big party, a fight for civil rights. He warned that those rights are in danger again today. “We must make it clear — all of us, the mainstream society — that we want diversity.” He argued that diversity is healthy for society and fosters a social order based on equality. He also advocated for stronger constitutional protection of queer people’s rights in the German Basic Law.
Due to time constraints, he said, he would not attend the CSD events in Leipzig and Golßen. He noted that large-scale events are not really his thing: “Privately I’m more of a reserved type and I don’t seek the limelight.” Leipzig, however, remains one of his favorite cities in Germany. He praised the city’s atmosphere, openness to the world, and the overall friendliness of its people.
In Golßen, the CSD is set to celebrate on June 20, while in Leipzig the demonstration and street festival are planned for July 18.
