After the act of violence in Emden: Gay couple fights for CSD participation!

After the act of violence in Emden: Gay couple fights for CSD participation!

After a shocking incident on the edge of Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Emden, who occurred on June 17, 2025, not only the affected community remains a queasy feeling. A gay couple, Panda (31) from Hamburg and Christian (29) from Wuppertal, was attacked by a group of young people when they discussed their disguise. The two are part of the "Puppy" scene and wore masks; But when Christian decreased his neoprene mask, the situation quickly escalated. NWZ-Online Permission photos and videos of them took what the attacker's aggression triggered.

The brutal attack ended with an injury to Panda, which suffered a laceration and a raged nose that had to be treated in the Emden Clinic through kicks and blows. Despite this bitter experience, the couple plans to take part in the CSD in Rendsburg next weekend. Panda emphasizes how important it is to point out such attacks and to encourage others not to hide. They spent the night after the incident in the "Grusy" pub, where the organization team of the CSD supported them.

The reactions of the community

The incident did not only leave the traces affected. Organizer Stefan Bergmann expressed his dismay about aggression, especially since there were no similar incidents in the previous two years. The Emden police are now investigating and looking for witnesses, while the attacker's motif remains unclear. According to NDR this year was a strict security concept that even the event on the new market was on the new market Please be switched off of the organizers to give the participants a better feeling.

Unfortunately, this incident is not alone. This year an alarming trend came to light: attacks, disorders and hostility occurred in over 23% of the CSD parades. stern reports that violence and hate crime against transpersonen has increased significantly in the past few months. Sven Lehmann, the Federal Government's queer officer, has sharply condemned the increase in queer hostility.

struggle for acceptance

In society, an ambivalent picture shows: Although acceptance has increased for queer people, the fear of discrimination has also increased. Political campaigns that are directed against the visibility of transpersonen are particularly worrying. In Neubrandenburg a rainbow flag was replaced by a swastika flag, another sign of the challenges in front of which the community is facing.

panda and Christian are planning to marry civil registry this year and in the church at the CSD in Rendsburg. Their determination of not being able to get a one -off assault is a strong signal for others in the community, actively fighting for their rights and visibility.