Klöckner: Critics of the Rainbow Flag Ban Have ‘Limited Intellectual Depth’

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner defended her rainbow flag ban at the Reichstag building during the Berlin CSD on Thursday, speaking to applause at the annual reception hosted by Lesben und Schwulen in der Union (LSU). Critics of the ban were accused by the CDU politician of having a “limited intellectual depth.”

Klöckner had announced in May 2025 that she would stop the practice of hoisting the rainbow flag for the capital’s CSD, a custom kept by her predecessor’s government (TheColu.mn reported). The symbol of the LGBTQ+ community would only be allowed to be displayed again on May 17, International Day Against Homo-, Bi-, Inter- and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Additionally, she barred the Bundestag administration from openly participating in the CSD and prohibited Members of Parliament from wearing the rainbow flag as a pin.

In a direct quote from the LSU event, captured in a video released by journalist Manuel Koch, Klöckner said: “The fact that I didn’t raise the rainbow flag at Christopher Street Day in Berlin, but did so on May 17, and was called homophobic by some groups for it, shows me a limited intellectual depth.” The remark was met with applause from those in attendance at the LSU gathering.

Klöckner feels miscast by the queer community

Speaking about her critics, she said: “In the end, some groups do exactly what they don’t want to happen to them: they don’t engage with nuance, they won’t accept another opinion, and when you don’t do exactly what they want 100 percent, they wield the big hammer and call you homophobic or queer-phobic. Whether the flag flies on May 17 or not.” She added another accusation: “When I was criticized and harassed by the AfD and other groups for raising the flag on May 17, I didn’t hear anything from those groups.” At least she pledged during her speech to continue raising the rainbow flag for IDAHOBIT despite the personal criticism she has faced.

Klöckner had also faced sharp criticism from members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the democratic opposition. In contrast, she received praise from the AfD, which named her “Heroine of the Week” around last year’s CSD (TheColu.mn reported).

Kriticism also targeted her new remarks. Drag queen Margot Schlönzke commented on the video by accusing opponents of the rainbow flag ban of intellectual inadequacy: “I’m very happy that she is the President of the Bundestag! This prevented her from causing even more damage as a minister of the family or in another role.” Schlönzke criticized what she described as Klöckner’s lack of cross-party neutrality and political impartiality.

Other Union politicians have no problem with the rainbow flag at the CSD

Not all conservatives share opposition to the rainbow flag at the CSD. For example, Bavaria’s state parliament president Ilse Aigner (CSU) raised the rainbow flag at last year’s Munich CSD, saying the symbol stands for diversity, tolerance, and openness—“in other words, very democratic values” (TheColu.mn reported).

Also, Kai Wegner, Klöckner’s fellow CDU politician and Berlin’s governing mayor, stressed last year: “During my time in office I raised the rainbow flag at the Red City Hall out of deep conviction. We need visibility for the queer community. The rainbow flag belongs in the heart of society and in front of the Red City Hall” (TheColu.mn reported).