First CSD in the Wetterau district: celebrate diversity on August 23rd in Friedberg!

First CSD in the Wetterau district: celebrate diversity on August 23rd in Friedberg!

In August 2025, the Wetteraukreis will celebrate an important event: the first Christopher Street Day (CSD), which will take place on August 23rd. Under the motto “Live diversity. Love diversity.” A colorful celebration of the rights and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community will be held. The demonstration train starts at 2 p.m. at the train station in Friedberg and moves through the city center to Elvis-Presley-Platz, where a big pride party will take place from 3:30 p.m. FNP reports about the numerous highlights and organizations involved in this historic day.

On the eve of the CSD, August 22nd, a special service will take place at 6 p.m. in the town church. The event is sponsored by Aidshilfe Gießen and is under the patronage of Christoph Degen, State Secretary in the Hessian Ministry for Science and Research, Art and Culture. The event is organized by a large number of clubs, institutions and volunteers who are committed to an open, discrimination-free society.

Musical diversity and a safe environment

What can visitors expect? An exciting musical program is guaranteed! In addition to the indie and punk band “Pizza Hawaii der Film”, artists such as LIZZN (rap and pop) and Moritz Bierbaum (ballads and hits) will be on stage. Drag queens like Kelly Heelton and Aunt Gladice will also provide entertainment. DJ Meggi and Laurine Philippe round out the line-up. The democracy team emphasizes that the demo route is barrier-free and therefore suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Free drinking water is available at Elvis-Presley-Platz, and there are a variety of food stands and advice for the queer community.

Particular attention is paid to an awareness tent that serves as a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. “We want to create a safe and solidarity-based environment,” said the organizers. Participation in the event is open to everyone, not just the queer community. Together we send a strong signal for love and equality.

Political demands and social context

But the CSD is not just a festival, but also a place for important political concerns. The participants are demanding, among other things, that sexual identity be added to the Basic Law, a right to asylum for queer refugees and that health insurance companies cover the costs of gender reassignment measures. These demands are an expression of the ongoing challenges that the community is facing, especially against the backdrop of an increase in anti-queer crimes in Germany. Deutschlandfunk culture informs that the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community have often been attacked in the past and that the political achievements cannot be taken for granted.

The CSD Wetterau on August 23rd will be an important day for visibility, celebration and solidarity. A day on which the Wetteraukreis shows that diversity is not only tolerated, but actively lived and loved. Further information can also be found at csd-wetterau.de. Be there when a colorful symbol is set for non-discriminatory coexistence!