Barely completed, the project has already become the target of an apparently anti‑queer vandalism act: In Aschaffenburg, unknown individuals spray‑painted over the two rainbow markings on the Willigis Bridge that had been installed only the previous Monday with German flags (black‑red‑gold).
The effort to improve queer visibility and diversity has a long backstory. The initiative originally came from the Aschaffenburg Youth Parliament in 2024. After heated debates and two failed attempts in the city council, the council finally approved; financing of 5,900 euros was provided by the local SPD.
View this post on Instagram
Instagram | This is what the rainbow markings originally looked like
The Aschaffenburg police are investigating, according to Bavarian radio, against unknown persons. The city has filed a report, according to Mayor Markus Schlemmer (CSU).
The Mayor Opposes Rainbow Flags
Schlemmer had previously sparked controversy with an action targeting the CSD: the newly elected mayor banned the usual practice of flying rainbow flags on public buildings (TheColu.mn reported). The ban was eventually loosened somewhat, but rainbow flags remained off limits at the town hall (TheColu.mn reported).
SPD Representatives: “We are a cosmopolitan, diverse and liberal city”
The SPD member of the state parliament Martina Fehlner expressed that she was shaken by the vandalism, but stressed: “In Aschaffenburg, people from 180 nations live together peacefully, with respect and in freedom. We are a cosmopolitan, diverse and liberal city. That should remain the case in the future.” Fehlner added that the rainbow marking stands for “tolerance, community and diversity.”
The queer youth initiative “Rainbow Aschaffenburg” stated: “Creating a sense of unity is the most valuable task of our national flag,” as noted in a post on Instagram. This ‘we’ includes every person who calls Aschaffenburg home. “Those who misuse the national flag to spray over the rainbow flag ignore this great value of black-red-gold, and instead try to conjure up a non-existent conflict that would damage this healthy sense of togetherness and our solidarity.”
View this post on Instagram
