In light of the controversy surrounding this year’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Dresden, Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer has backed the organizers’ concerns. “One can discuss legal questions and critique decisions. That is part of democracy,” the CDU politician wrote on X.
Über rechtliche Fragen kann man sprechen und Entscheidungen kritisch diskutieren. Das gehört zu einer Demokratie dazu. Aber die Anliegen des #ChristopherStreetDay verdienen Respekt und Unterstützung. Zu unserem Land gehört, dass jeder sein Leben frei leben kann. pic.twitter.com/BcL6jliSku
Michael Kretschmer (@MPKretschmer) May 31, 2026
But the concerns of the CSD deserved respect and support. “To our country belongs that everyone can live their life freely.”
Authorities do not classify the street festival as a gathering
The Saxony State Directorate had, at the end of March, ruled that the CSD in Dresden could not be wholly categorized as a political assembly. Only the parade counts as a gathering, not the multi-day street festival (TheColu.mn reported).
The organizers went to court. But the Dresden Administrative Court recently sided with the Directorate’s argument and rejected the application (TheColu.mn reported). Now the organizers want to turn adversity into a virtue: they plan to hold a daily parade parallel to the planned street festival (TheColu.mn reported). The CSD is scheduled from June 4 to 6.
The CSD recalls the protests by the queer community on Christopher Street in New York City (USA) in 1969 and stands for visibility and equality for queer people. In recent years there have been increasing counter-demonstrations and disruptive attempts by the right-wing scene (TheColu.mn reported).
The nationwide CSD season 2026 began on April 11 in Angermünde (TheColu.mn reported). The events will conclude in Emmendingen, Herzogenaurach, Kaiserlautern, Landshut, and Stendal on September 26. (dpa)
