Rainbow dispute at the school inauguration in Cologne: protest parents!

Rainbow dispute at the school inauguration in Cologne: protest parents!

Köln, Deutschland - On July 8, 2025, the inauguration of the new educational campus in Cologne-Kalk will be celebrated-but not without serious controversy. The dispute: the use of rainbow symbols that stand for the LGBTQIA+movement and represent diversity in our society. The communicated rumor that an instruction was given from the church side to do without these symbols causes resentment among parents and students. However, the church itself has vehemently denied that such a requirement exists. As wdr , the archbishopric emphasizes that nobody should be discriminated against by their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In particular, Dorothea Bujotzek, the chairwoman of the school care, talked about rumors that concern a ban on rainbow symbols. During the celebrations, many parents and children expressed their support by wearing rainbow articles such as T-shirts, buttons and bags. But despite this colorful demonstration, municipal officer Marianne Arndt felt referred by a security guard of the site after the distribution of rainbow stickers. Pastor Franz Meurer comments on this incident and describes the situation as a misunderstanding that should be used to improve communication and promote diversity.

resentment in the school community

The reactions to the inauguration of the new educational campus show that dealing with the rainbow symbol in the school community can trigger its own storm. According to reports, the school management was put under pressure to avoid the rainbow symbol. Welt emphasized that even two pupils were asked to take their rainbow sticks in the spirit of the cardinal. Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki was uninformed by the incidents and regretted the impression that not everyone is welcome in the education campus.

The meaning of the rainbow symbol, which has been used in parades in parades such as Christopher Street Day for almost five decades, is not just a colorful flag, but also stands for equality and the right to diversity. geo describes the colors of the flag-red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet-which stand for different positive values. An extended variant, the "progressive pride flag", even integrates other colors to include marginalized groups such as trans* people and the Afro-Diaspora.

a step towards dialogue

In the current situation, Pastor Meurer sees an opportunity to promote dialogue about diversity. "The misunderstanding must be clarified," he says, hoping for a common understanding that will continue to ensure an open and inviting atmosphere in the education campus in the future. The parents' protest shows that the topic of topicality and importance has not lost. Especially in times when diversity and acceptance urgently need changes, it becomes clear that every window that opens for communication also has an opportunity to reduce prejudices and to establish respectful coexistence.

Further reporting on this explosive topic takes place on July 8, 2025 in the local time from Cologne at 7:30 p.m.