Thousands celebrate CSD: A strong sign of diversity in Lower Saxony!

Thousands celebrate CSD: A strong sign of diversity in Lower Saxony!

Thousands of people set a colorful example of diversity and tolerance at Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Oldenburg and Hildesheim on June 21, 2025. In summer temperatures of around 30 degrees, around 10,000 participants took to the streets in Oldenburg, while in Hildesheim around 5,000 people demonstrated for queer rights and visibility at the first CSD. These two events show once again how important it is to advocate for respectful coexistence and to show that love counts in all its forms. How NDR reported that the celebrations in Oldenburg and Hildesheim were peaceful.

The CSD in Oldenburg, which was taking place for the 31st time, started with a cultural festival in the morning, followed by an impressive parade through the city center. After the first CSD in her city, the spokeswoman for the Hildesheim CSD, Ray Wieber, was pleased with the large participation and emphasized the important message behind the event. At a time when attacks on queer people are seeing a worrying increase, as recently occurred in Emden and Burgdorf, it is even more important to maintain and promote visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community.

A symbol of tolerance and respect

However, the events at the CSDs were not without challenges. The organizers pointed out the need to stick together even in difficult times. At a CSD in Hanover in May, violent incidents, including assaults and sexual harassment, greatly disturbed the participants. Some participants were also injured here, which further exacerbated the already tense situation in the community. In this situation, events like the CSD, which commemorate the 1969 protests in New York, take on a new urgency. Well-known media like daily news report on the increasing threat that queer life is exposed to, especially in East Germany.

At the same time, the CSD in Düsseldorf, where the motto “Love unites – hate destroys” was in the foreground on the same day, shows the positive side of such events. Around 7,300 people brought their message of love and acceptance through the city, accompanied by a colorful street festival. More than 50 groups took part in the demonstration, underscoring the collective quest for greater visibility. For the organizers, it's not just about celebrations, but also about advocating tolerance, especially with a view to upcoming local elections.

Strong together for queer rights

These CSDs are not only a place of celebration, but also a victory of courage and solidarity against the increasing attacks from right-wing extremist groups. The Federal Government's Queer Commissioner, Sven Lehmann, recently warned of the danger to LGBTIQ* people from authoritarian and right-wing extremist forces and emphasized the need for ongoing commitment against hostility. The community is beginning to network more in order to present itself more strongly at a time when visibility and educational work for queer life are important, especially in rural regions.

In the end it can be said: The high number of participants in Oldenburg, Hildesheim and Düsseldorf show that the queer community sticks together despite adverse circumstances. In Osnabrück and many other places, the CSD was colorful and peaceful, and that is a sign that love will always win.