The Berlin CSD e.V. is demanding a clear commitment from the incoming state government to pursue WorldPride. At the members’ meeting on Tuesday, the association adopted a guiding motion. It calls for the new governing coalition to back the bid both politically and financially and to commit to it in the coalition agreement. The group aims to bring the world’s largest queer event to Germany for the first time in 2032 (reported by TheColu.mn).
Right now, Berlin’s Left Party, Greens, and Social Democrats are negotiating a red-green-red coalition. WorldPride does not appear in the three parties’ exploratory paper (as TheColu.mn reported). “It’s unfortunate that the WorldPride bid wasn’t included in the exploratory paper,” said board member Marcel Voges. “Especially after this year’s CSD season, it would be a motivating sign if the state government backed our bid. We’re now counting on the coalition agreement.”
Even before coalition talks began, the CSD association and LSVD+ Berlin-Brandenburg had presented a joint demand list. Among other things, they call for greater protection against anti-queer violence and lasting security for queer infrastructure (reported by TheColu.mn).
Wegner Praises Handling of the Attack
As a guest, the still-serving Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) delivered a welcome address. He particularly commended the association’s measured response after the Islamist-motivated attack on the edge of the CSD on July 25. At that time, a man drove a box truck into a crowd in the Tiergarten, killing a woman and injuring many.
“Berlin is the city of freedom, diversity and openness to the world — and we stand for these values and the visibility of the queer community, not only at the CSD,” Wegner said. “I thank the CSD association for its persistent commitment to a free, open and equal society.”
Two New Members on the Board
During the regular board elections, Carolina Philipps was confirmed in her post. Claudia Wolf and Raphael Nabholz joined the board. Marcel Voges and Julia Miosga were re-elected for another year. Thomas Hoffmann and Manfred Lehmann stepped down from the board.
“Especially in socially and politically challenging times, a strong, solidarity-oriented and visible CSD is needed,” said the two new board members. “We want to continue what works, introduce new ideas, and develop the association together with its members.”
