CSD in Frankfurt: Protest against controversial draft regulations!

CSD in Frankfurt: Protest against controversial draft regulations!

Christopher Street Day (CSD) will be celebrated in Frankfurt on July 19, 2025, an important event for the queer community that will take place on the banks of the Main between the Eiserner Steg and the Untermainbrücke until July 20. With colorful parades and festivities, the city sets an example for acceptance and diversity. But the celebration is overshadowed by concern. Heik Zimmermann from the Competence Center Trans* and Diversity Frankfurt (KTD) expresses alarm about increasing hatred and a tense mood within the queer population. The concern is not unfounded: the number of unreported crimes against queer people could be higher than many assume.

A central theme can be seen in a controversial draft regulation by the Federal Ministry of the Interior under the leadership of Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), which is causing a stir. This new regulation, which provides for the storage of old gender entries and first names, is seen by many as an attack on the rights enshrined in the Self-Determination Act (SBGG). According to tagesschau.de, the SBGG, which has been in force since November 2024, already ensures that people can change their gender and first name in official documents. The critics emphasize that storing previous identities endangers privacy and restricts the rights of those affected.

The echo from politics

The political reactions to the issue are diverse. On June 26, 2025, the Bundestag will discuss a proposal from the Alliance 90/The Greens faction to combat anti-queer hate crime, reports bundestag.de. Various factions, including the CDU/CSU, have spoken out clearly against the acts of violence that particularly plague CSD events. The Greens are calling, among other things, for increased protection of CSD demonstrations and for security authorities to be made more aware in order to curb the increasing violence. This shows how serious the situation is and that politics and society need to wake up to create a safer environment for everyone.

Luana Pesarini, a sociologist, gets to the heart of the issue by bringing into play the danger of a societal regression in the recognition of transsexuality. In the context of current developments, she compares the situation with the historical “Pink Lists” from the Nazi era, which were used to discriminate and persecute queer people. “Something like this must not happen again,” she warns, while highlighting the protest at the CSD.

Growing threat from extremism

The increasing numbers of anti-queer crimes in 2024, which have increased by 52 in Hesse compared to the previous year and are now at 135, also illustrate the challenges the community is facing. Attacks on trans, intersex and non-binary people are currently not recorded separately, which makes the prevalence of this problem even more difficult to understand.

Hate speech and threats from right-wing extremist groups at CSD events are another point that has come more and more into focus in recent months. The debate over the safety of the queer community at public events has become more intense, and it is clear that urgent action is needed. Heik Zimmermann is determined to take part in the CSD to show his colors and set an example for unity and acceptance.

The atmosphere in Frankfurt is both festive and combative. Amid the celebrations, the issue of hatred and discrimination is not forgotten. The queer community stands together to fight for their rights and take a strong stand against the growing threat.