[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-4px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udd25 The Berlin Pride Association (Berliner CSD e. V.<\/strong>) is launching its campaign<\/strong> for Pride 2026. At its heart is this year\u2019s campaign slogan and the Pride motto: \u201cTAKING A STATEMENT IS HOT<\/strong>.\u201d This is complemented by various sub-slogans such as \u201cYour voice suits you,\u201d \u201cGreen Flags go vote,\u201d and \u201cHoney, being apolitical is so yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Taking a stand is sexy. Taking a stand is cute. Taking a stand is hot. Together, we\u2019ll take a stand at Berlin Pride 2026. In a diverse campaign, the Berlin Pride Association is drawing attention to the 2026 Berlin House of Representatives election and encouraging civil society, businesses, the city, and the community to take a stand. The campaign deliberately uses \u201cdating language\u201d to motivate young people to vote. For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote in this year\u2019s election to the House of Representatives. The campaign will run throughout Pride Month and beyond, leading up to the election.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83d\udce2 With the launch of its campaign, Berlin Pride is sending a clear message ahead of the Berlin House of Representatives elections: for an open society, for democratic values, and for equal rights for queer people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are facing an important election in Berlin. Therefore, we call on all Berliners to vote for parties that respect human dignity as inviolable and want to preserve and further develop Berlin as a rainbow capital. Our goal is for everyone who comes to Pride to also exercise their right to vote,\u201d says board member Julia Miosga of Berlin Pride e.V.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A key innovation in 2026 is the expansion of the Pride program: In addition to the demonstration and closing rally on July 25, 2026, Berlin Pride will, for the first time, hold a gathering at the Brandenburg Gate with three stages on Friday,<\/strong> July 24, 2026<\/strong>. A diverse evening celebrating democracy is planned from approximately 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., featuring music, artistic performances, and political contributions. The exact program will be announced shortly before Pride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f This means Berlin Pride will dedicate an entire weekend to democracy and diversity \u2013 kicking off the biggest Pride weekend in its history. This year, Pride will express democracy in all its forms and celebrate the diversity of our society on both days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f \u201cSome forces wish we would become quieter or smaller. Quite the opposite is true: With the additional Friday, we are making history and will do everything in our power to defend democracy and human rights more strongly than ever,\u201d adds board member Thomas Hoffmann.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83d\udccd On Saturday, July 25, 2026, the CSD demonstration will take place, followed by a rally at the Brandenburg Gate. The demonstration will once again proceed from Leipziger Stra\u00dfe via Potsdamer Platz, Nollendorfplatz, and Klingelh\u00f6ferstra\u00dfe to the Brandenburg Gate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With its expanded activities and campaign, Berlin CSD underscores its commitment to strengthening Berlin as a rainbow capital and simultaneously sending a message beyond the city limits. In a time of social polarization, we need unity and visible, confident, and supportive responses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u270f\ufe0f Demands of the Berliner CSD e. V. zu CSD 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”1. The Time Is Now: WorldPride 2032 in Berlin” open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||14px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Berlin is the City of Freedom and a global symbol of queer visibility, diversity, and community. However, this international resonance is not something to be taken for granted; it requires political support, long-term investment, and a clear strategy for the future. Any city that aspires to be the international “Rainbow Capital” must also create the necessary conditions to permanently safeguard and foster queer life.<\/p>\n To strengthen its status as the Rainbow Capital and to send a political signal as a City of Freedom, the Berlin CSD e. V.\u2014with the support of the *Lesbisch-schwule<\/span>s Stadtfest* (Lesbian -Gay City Festival) and Folsom e. V.\u2014will submit a bid to host World Pride 2032. Hosting World Pride would be far more than just a major international event: it would serve as a visible affirmation of freedom, diversity, and democracy, as well as a catalyst for the sustainable expansion of queer infrastructure, international networking, and social inclusion. Furthermore, the local economy and tourism sector would benefit significantly from hosting the event. At the same time, a bid offers the opportunity to initiate long-term investments in culture, community spaces, and democratic civil society, thereby further reinforcing Berlin\u2019s standing as an open, inclusive, and diverse metropolis.<\/p>\n Therefore, we demand:<\/p>\n Political and financial support for a bid to host World Pride 2032, and the inclusion of this objective in the upcoming coalition agreement.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”2. Protect Queer Spaces” open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||14px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Queer spaces serve as safe havens, cultural institutions, venues for celebration, meeting points, and integral parts of Berlin\u2019s urban history. However, an increasing number of queer venues are disappearing due to rising rents, displacement, and a lack of long-term security. The goal must be a city where queer life remains visible and where new spaces can emerge\u2014spaces that are safe, accessible, and secure in the long term.<\/p>\n Therefore, we demand:<\/p>\n A sustainable protection and development program for queer spaces, aimed at securing existing venues for the long term and creating new spaces for social interaction, culture, and community. [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”3. Greater Safety for Queer People” open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||14px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Queer people in Berlin must be able to live visibly and safely\u2014on the streets, in schools, in nightlife venues, in public spaces, and in the digital realm alike. At the same time, anti-queer violence, digital hate campaigns, and disinformation are increasing perceptibly.<\/p>\n Therefore, we demand:<\/p>\n Support for the community in establishing its own safety and support structures\u2014fostering community self-empowerment\u2014specifically through the funding of self-defense courses, safety protocols, victim support services, and low-threshold channels for communication and reporting within the community. The Berlin CSD welcomes the constructive cooperation between community stakeholders and the Berlin Police aimed at enhancing the safety of queer people. At the same time, queer individuals continue to report negative experiences in their interactions with security authorities. The objective must be to strengthen trust, effectively expand protective measures, and jointly develop sustainable solutions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”4. Strengthen Diversity in Education” open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||14px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Educational institutions shape the society of tomorrow. Therefore, they must be places where diversity is visible, where respect is a matter of course, and where queer people can learn, work, and thrive in safety. Discrimination must be consistently countered, and the free development of gender and sexual identity must be enabled.<\/p>\n Therefore, we demand:<\/p>\n The mandatory inclusion of queer lived realities in classroom instruction and teaching materials. [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”5. Expand Queer Health Services” open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||14px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Queer people continue to face structural barriers, gaps in care, and discrimination within the healthcare system. At the same time, there is a heightened need across many areas for psychosocial support, mental healthcare, and accessible, queer-competent services. Healthcare must be accessible to all people\u2014free from discrimination and tailored to their actual lived realities\u2014regardless of their place of residence, income, or gender identity.<\/p>\n Therefore, we demand:<\/p>\n The expansion of local, accessible, and queer-competent healthcare services\u2014particularly in underserved districts\u2014to ensure that support is available regardless of one\u2019s place of residence. [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”6. Adequately fund major queer events.” open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#E31179″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||14px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Pride parades, street festivals, cultural events, and community gatherings are far more than just leisure activities. They generate visibility, strengthen social cohesion, and enable democratic participation. In doing so, they also contribute significantly to Berlin\u2019s queer infrastructure.<\/p>\n At the same time, they represent a major economic and tourism factor for Berlin: they attract millions of visitors from both home and abroad, generate revenue for the hospitality, gastronomy, cultural, and retail sectors, and shape Berlin\u2019s international image as an open and diverse metropolis.<\/p>\n While the city benefits economically and in terms of tourism from its queer visibility, event organizers often bear significant financial risks and shoulder the burdens of organization, security, and infrastructure with limited resources and a high degree of voluntary effort. As a result, many organizing associations are pushed to their absolute limits and find themselves increasingly unable to fulfill their core missions regarding community support, cultural work, and political advocacy.<\/p>\n Therefore, we demand:<\/p>\n A significantly larger share of the revenue generated by the City Tax to fund major queer events and the organizations that host them, given that these events contribute substantially to Berlin\u2019s appeal as a tourist destination and its international standing. [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-4px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \ud83d\uddbc\ufe0f Graphics & Shareables<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll find a toolkit with templates, logos, assets, and other documents<\/strong> to support you in creating your own designs follow soon.<\/p>\n \n \u270a Get Involved!\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Whether at the demo, in working groups, in the forum, or online \u2013 the political direction of CSD depends on participation<\/strong>. Stay up to date via our social media channels or sign up for our forum newsletter.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\ud83c\udf89 Berlin Pride to Take Place Over Two Days for the First Time<\/strong><\/h2>\n
That queer projects be given greater priority in the leasing and rental of state-owned properties, in order to strengthen community-oriented and low-threshold initiatives.
Support from the state government for the establishment of a major community center to serve as a hub for culture, education, social interaction, and nightlife.
Free access to public spaces for non-commercial queer projects and events (e.g., town halls and municipal venues).
Increased financial support for queer organizations and initiatives in the outer districts, where queer infrastructure remains underdeveloped in many cases.
That the state government utilize a Bundesrat initiative to advocate for making the federal program “Demokratie leben!” (Living Democracy!) permanently queer-inclusive, and for further developing the funding program “Queer leben” (Living Queer).<\/p>\n
That the state government advocate at the federal level for stronger regulation of digital platforms. Furthermore, platforms and perpetrators alike must be consistently held accountable under applicable law in order to effectively combat online hate, anti-queer incitement, and disinformation.
The fulfillment of the state\u2019s pledge of protection to the queer community, ensuring that queer people can move freely, visibly, and safely in public spaces.
The binding implementation and adequate funding of the measures outlined in the 2025 State Strategy for Queer Safety and Against Anti-Queer Hostility, thereby translating political announcements into tangible improvements in the daily lives of queer people.<\/p>\n
Reliable financial support for external educational, prevention, and counseling services that schools can access with minimal barriers and bureaucracy.
Independent and easily accessible complaint mechanisms for pupils, students, and teaching staff who experience or witness discrimination.
The recognition of gender identity in all documents, regarding the use of restroom facilities, and in forms of address.
Support for diversity working groups in Berlin\u2019s schools.<\/p>\n
Significantly increased financial funding for psychosocial counseling services and mental healthcare for queer people, specifically to reduce waiting times and close existing gaps in care.
That the future state government make a binding commitment to continuing and implementing the United Nations\u2019 goals for ending AIDS, and that it secure the necessary long-term funding for the associated prevention, testing, and support services.
That the state government advocate at the federal level to ensure non-discriminatory access to gender-affirming and gender-confirming treatments, and to guarantee reliable cost coverage by statutory health insurance providers.<\/p>\n
A permanent funding program to safeguard major queer events\u2014and the associations behind them\u2014that provides multi-year planning security and moves beyond the limitations of short-term project-based funding models.
The recognition of queer events as an integral component of Berlin\u2019s cultural and tourism strategy, and their appropriate inclusion in the city\u2019s funding and location-based development policies.<\/p>\n