CSD Stuttgart is bigger than in Berlin: "We are the most political CSD in Germany"

Created: 07/28/2022, 10:10 am

By: Sina Alonso Garcia

Record number of participants at the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Stuttgart: Never before have so many formations registered as in 2022. © Simon Adomat/Imago

For the CSD parade in Stuttgart on Saturday, July 30, 100 formations have announced - that's more than in Berlin.

CSD spokesman Detlef Raasch spoke to BW24 about the background.

Stuttgart - The anticipation is great: For the first time since 2019, the CSD in Stuttgart can be celebrated again without restrictions.

After almost a year of preparations, the big political demonstration will take place in the city center on Saturday, July 30 at 3:30 p.m.

Like CSD spokesman Detlef Raasch in an interview with

confirmed, a total of 100 formations have registered - that's more than in Berlin, where 96 formations marched through the city last weekend.

The organizers expect 300,000 visitors in Stuttgart.

"We are the most political CSD in Germany," says Raasch.

"As CSD Stuttgart, we are politically visible all year round and active in working groups." One cannot overemphasize how important the commitment is for the LGBTTIQ* community.

In 2020/21 alone, hate crimes against queer people increased by 50.6 percent compared to the previous year.

Not to forget the dark figure.

"More and more members of our community feel they need to stand up and be visible."

Queer community in Stuttgart: "There are those who don't dare to show themselves hand in hand with their partner"

Although Stuttgart has a large, committed queer community, according to Raasch there are still many uncommitted people here.

"For fear of hostilities, many still hide their sexual identity," said the CSD spokesman.

"There are even those who don't dare to show themselves hand in hand with their partner in public." The fears are apparently no coincidence: "In Stuttgart I often hear: 'We are so tolerant.'

But when someone in your family comes out as trans, gay or lesbian, tolerance suddenly drops.”

Compared to other countries in Europe, Germany is in a much better position when it comes to LGBTTIQ* rights.

In countries like Hungary, Poland or Romania, the situation is even more devastating.

"In Romania, a law was recently called for that would prohibit gays from becoming organ donors," says Raasch.

"For fear that whoever receives the donation will also become gay." The increase in right-wing populism in Europe is also playing into the hands of anti-queer groups.

Raasch is convinced: "We have to look far beyond the boiler in our activities." It is not for nothing that the motto of this year's CSD is: "Community.Power.Europe."

CSD Stuttgart: Large supporting program with "Rainbow Tour" and cultural events

In addition to the political demo on July 30th, there have been many other CSD events in Stuttgart since July 15th.

People in the city were able to network at cultural events, workshops and more.

The “Rainbow Tour” (July 17th to 28th) also set a good example: for a fee of twelve euros, participants had the opportunity to bar hop and strike up a conversation in various pubs.

In each participating queer bar there was a "rainbow shot" - each time in a different color.

Half of the proceeds went to Stuttgart Pride and half to the Aids Hilfe Stuttgart.

CSD demonstration in Stuttgart + supporting program on July 30th

The political parade starts at 3:30 p.m., and the formations are out and about in the city until around 6:30 p.m.

From 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be a rally on the Planie.

There is also a supporting program on the cultural stage on the market square, and party fans can let off steam in an open-air disco on Schillerplatz.

Raasch is particularly proud of the fact that he and a 28-strong team set up the CSD on a completely voluntary basis.

“Some of us even took vacation time to prepare.

Sometimes we worked 14 hours a week, often late into the night.” There is a small subsidy from the city and state.

However, the CSD team has to raise a very large proportion of the 400,000 euros that accrue for the CSD itself.

The event is financed to a large extent by membership fees in the association and advertising partners.

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CSD Stuttgart: In 2022 it will be the second largest CSD in Germany

In Germany there is only one CSD in 2022 that is larger than Stuttgart in terms of its formations: Cologne.

There, at the beginning of July, 190 formations took part in the political parade.

Not only has the number of formations increased in Stuttgart compared to 2019 (91): the number of participants within the formations has also doubled compared to 2019, according to Raasch.

While three years ago there were still 25 to 50 participants per formation, this year there are an average of 50 to 100 per formation. Numerous companies will also be involved: "From Mercedes-Benz to Porsche to Bosch - everyone from Stuttgart is at the CSD Companies visible that you know,” says Raasch.

In addition, the CSD spokesman is happy about Muhterem Aras (Greens) as patron.

"She is exactly the right patron, with whom we also know