The actress, comedian, and satirist Maren Kroymann has been chosen to receive the Hamburg Pride Honorary Award for 2026. The prize recognizes public figures who stand as role models for Germany’s LGBTQ+ community.
Maren Kroymann publicly came out in 1993 — at a moment when queer life realities were barely visible in the media. “Since then, she has brought topics like equality, gender roles, and diversity to the center of society through a blend of humor and resolve,” praise from Hamburg Pride notes. At the same time, the organization adds, Kroymann demonstrates that humor can be a political instrument.
In the 1990s she made television history with “Nachtschwester Kroymann,” one of the first satirical programs in Germany led by women. Later she returned with her acclaimed sketch-comedy series “Kroymann,” and, according to Pride, proved that feminist perspectives and LGBTQ+ topics are not only relevant but also broadly engaging. Kroymann also contributed to the #ActOut initiative, where more than 180 actors publicly revealed their sexual orientation and urged greater openness within the industry.
Talking about her coming out, she later said, “It was clear that, career-wise, it wasn’t exactly helpful.” Yet she added, “What matters more to me is advancing the rights and visibility of lesbians, gay men, and people who live differently than to chase after a few lighthearted lead roles in a TV show.”
The Pride Award will be presented on July 25 during Pride Night, the official opening event of Hamburg’s Pride Week, at the Curio-Haus. In recent years, the honor has gone to individuals such as Susanne Baer, a former judge of Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court; influencer Fabian Grischkat; activist and entertainer Riccardo Simonetti; the #outinchurch initiative; and WDR journalist Georgine Kellermann.
This year’s Hamburg Pride Festival centers on the motto “Solidarity in Queerness. Stand Up for a Future Without Fear.” Pride Week runs from July 25 through August 2 and culminates with the large demonstration on August 1.
