Cologne's CSD becomes the European Championship: Where is the tolerance? Criticism grows!

Cologne's CSD becomes the European Championship: Where is the tolerance? Criticism grows!

Köln, Deutschland - Cologne faces major challenges, especially with regard to tolerance and security in the queer community. Hape Kerkeling and his husband return to the Rhine metropolis in 2024 after ten years in Berlin. In view of the "clearly homophberic" atmosphere in the capital Cologne, the popular comedian describes as a place that is shaped by a "life and life" mentality. But this reputation is increasingly being put to the test.

Uwe Weiler, the chief organizer from Cologne Pride, is concerned about the current developments. He reports of an increase in attacks in the Cologne scene, such as insults and even spit. These worrying tendencies are underpinned by the recent statistics of the Cologne public prosecutor, which determines an increase in hate crime against queer people: 156 procedures were initiated in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 17 percent compared to the previous year. In the CSD 2024 there was also an incident with rioters who wanted to tear down right -wing extremists and wanted to tear down rainbow flags; Fortunately, the police could intervene quickly.

The future of the CSD in Cologne

In order to ensure the security and the smooth running of the parade, Weiler praises the close cooperation with the police, which even lets queer police officers ride to the parade in their own cars. Cologne's strong cohesion is also evident in cooperation with organizations such as AIDShilfe and the participation of urban employees, who are already active at the CSD for the seventh time this year. Financing is secured by sponsors such as Rewe, RheinEnergie and Ford as well as by supporting the respective workforce.

An important topic that the city of Cologne currently employs is the relocation of Christopher Street Day (CSD) in 2024, since the event gets in its way because of the UEFA European Football Championship. This takes place from June 14th to July 14th, 2024. City director Andrea Blome has already indicated in a response to a citizens' request that the CSD cannot take place as usual on the first weekend in July. During the European Championships on the Heumarkt and a cultural program on the Roncalliplatz and the old market, the city has pending the city, which makes it impossible to carry out the CSD in these locations.

discussions about the orientation

The discussion about a temporal or local shift is already running between the city and the organizer, with Blome favoring a temporary shift, while the organizer prefers a local laying. But as press spokesman Hugo Winkels confirms, the exact details are still in the stars: an agreement will only be expected in the coming months. In addition, a local relocation could result in additional costs for the organizer.

Cologne has an excellent reputation in the queer community and produces many prominent supporters, including Kerkeling. A study from 2019 shows that around 10.6 percent of the Cologne population between the ages of 18 and 75 are queer, which corresponds to more than 87,000 people. But the pressure on this community is growing, and the renewed criticism of Weiler makes it clear that tolerance and security in this colorful city must be preserved.