Queer Berliners who are more politically active tend to march with the alternative CSD in Kreuzberg. Joey Hansom explains why this year, he's also joining the big “mainstream” Pride parade

Jul. 19, 2016 – For most expats and tourists, Berlin is a queer paradise, so it’s easy to forget that the Hauptstadt is a bubble within a country creeping toward the right – and even here in our city, there are still plenty of issues facing LGBTI* people, including couples, families, seniors and refugees.

Germany is somehow seen as the leader of Europe, but in terms of being gay-friendly, it's not that impressive. The country only ranked at #16 on ILGA-Europe's “Rainbow Index” (right behind Greece and just before Ireland). We have seen the right-wing party Alternative für Deutschland gain footing recently, and in June, the Universität Leipzig published the results of a major study showing that homophobia is on the rise in Germany, and not just on the fringes, but out in the open in the political center. For example, 40 percent polled said that they are disgusted by seeing homosexuals kissing in public, an alarming double the amount since the previous study in 2014. Not surprisingly, also on the rise are Islamophobia, xenophobia and authoritarianism.

There’s really not that much for LGBTI* people in Germany to celebrate this Pride season. CSD Berlin, the official parade and organization, has published their list of political demands for 2016, and it’s nearly identical to the one from 2015. Hence this year’s motto: Danke für Nix. In these times of austerity, the status quo reigns! So now’s the time to rally, not just for general visibility – which is also important – but for specific change.

While straights are allowed to make babies without a moment of forethought, loving and stable same-sex couples cannot legally adopt. Police are still keeping records on which citizens are HIV-positive. The government needs to stop reinforcing stigma! That's also true for the thousands of older men who retain criminal records, convicted under Paragraph 175 which punished homosexuality. The law was founded in 1871, broadened under the Nazis, and not completely deleted until 1994. Still, those prosecuted have not been pardoned. The official federal anti-discriminatory agency has stated that we cannot ethically or politically ignore the effects its victims have experienced – socially (you're ostracized!), financially (you're fired!) and psychologically (you're a criminal for life!). The topic has recently been brought back to the political table, but so far nothing has changed.

One thing that actually has improved since last year's Pride demands: Berlin now does have special housing for LGBTI* refugees, creating a safer space for them. However, it can only accommodate 120 of the estimated 3,500 asylum seekers who have ended up here. It's a good start and a reason to be optimistic, but we have more ground to cover. We also need to push for the government to reevaluate the so-called “safe” countries of origin, ones where there might not be full-blown war, but where queers and women face undeniably great threats to their safety. 

This month, don't just be proud – be pissed off! And take action – whether that's joining in the CSD parade, or finding your own way to fight.

Joey Hansom

CSD Berlin
Jul. 23, 12:00
Kurfürstendamm / Joachimsthaler Straße (find route here)