Berlin Pride 2025: A Look Back

A Massive Gathering to Celebrate Love and Diversity

This past Saturday, hundreds of thousands poured into the streets of Berlin, dancing to techno beats in a lively, colorful celebration of Christopher Street Day (CSD). Despite an overcast sky, the atmosphere remained festive and uplifting. The streets lit up with rainbow flags, joy, and powerful messages of love, equality, and solidarity.

Jessica Benitaz, who traveled from Miami, captured the spirit of the day perfectly:

“Pride is love, unity, and friendship. We’re here in peace, hoping for a better tomorrow.”

👉 Curious about the roots of this celebration? Discover the history and significance of Christopher Street Day and its place in LGBTQ+ activism.

A Deeply Rooted Historical Legacy

Christopher Street Day is far more than a parade. It honors the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City—a pivotal moment when the LGBTQ+ community stood up against police brutality and repression.

In Berlin, the pride march wound through historic city landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, an enduring symbol of freedom, and Nollendorfplatz, a cultural hub traditionally associated with Berlin’s queer identity. The very first Berlin CSD was held on June 30, 1979, in what was then West Berlin.

Record-Breaking Crowds Despite Rising Tensions

According to Thomas Hoffmann, a member of the CSD committee, attendance in 2025 surpassed that of previous years.

“We’re standing together to defend our rights.”

However, the celebration was not without contention. A small pro-Palestinian protest of around 30–50 participants staged a counter-demonstration, accusing the event of ignoring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Chants of “No Pride in Genocide” echoed alongside the celebration.

The Rainbow Flag: Caught in Political Crossfire

In the days leading up to the march, a political scandal made waves across Germany. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) made headlines by refusing to fly the rainbow flag atop the Reichstag, breaking with a tradition observed for over a decade. His justification raised eyebrows:

“The Bundestag is not a circus tent.”

The remark shocked many, especially in light of Merz’s controversial past comments, including a 2020 statement where he implied a link between homosexuality and pedophilia.

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Worrying Surge in Anti-LGBTQ Violence

This political backdrop coincides with a disturbing rise in anti-LGBTQ attacks. In 2024, authorities reported nearly 1,800 hate crimes targeting queer individuals—an 18% increase from the year before. Nyke Slawik, the Greens’ LGBTQ spokesperson, criticized the Chancellor’s remarks:

“Instead of putting out the fire, Merz is throwing fuel on it.”

As a bold act of protest, members of the Green Party formed a human rainbow flag within the Bundestag, standing up strongly for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion.

Berlin: A Global Stronghold of Queer Culture

Kai Wegner, Berlin’s conservative mayor, set himself apart by raising the rainbow flag at the state parliament, in direct contradiction to Merz’s decision. Alfonso Pantisano, Berlin’s queer affairs officer, emphasized the city’s leading role:

“Berlin is the rainbow capital of the world.”

Berlin earned its title long ago, having served as a queer refuge as early as the 1920s, with over 200 LGBTQ+ venues. That vibrant history was destroyed during the Nazi regime, which brutally persecuted LGBTQ people from the start of their reign.

“As Germans, we know all too well how things end when you start targeting LGBTQ people,” warns Thomas Hoffmann. “The fire spreads fast.”

👉 Discover more about the most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations across Europe and see where Berlin ranks globally.

Never Silent Again: A Message That Resonates

Amid rising hostility and political setbacks, CSD Berlin 2025 stood firm behind a strong, uncompromising slogan: “Never silent again”. These three words serve as a powerful reaction to political aggression, the rise of right-wing extremism, and those aiming to reverse gains in LGBTQ rights.

🏳️‍🌈 In Summary

• Berlin Pride 2025 drew record-breaking crowds despite growing political tension.
• The refusal to display the rainbow flag at the Reichstag reignited national debates on homophobia in politics.
• Berlin reaffirmed its long-standing cultural and historical role in the global LGBTQ+ movement.
• This year’s call to action: “Never silent again” in the face of backlash and intolerance.

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