CSD in Cologne: Around 1.5 million demonstrate for Christopher Street Day

Cologne, Germany, saw an unprecedented turnout for its Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebration, with organizers estimating around 1.5 million participants. The event, which included a parade with approximately one hundred floats, was described by Cologne Pride as the fullest the city has ever been for CSD. Participants marched peacefully but loudly, advocating for the rights and concerns of the queer community under the motto 'For Queer Rights - Many. Together. Strong!'.

Police reported no incidents by Sunday afternoon. The Cologne CSD, a major event in Germany and Europe, calls for equal rights for homosexual, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer individuals. Politicians, including former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and Green Party politician Claudia Roth, attended the demonstration.

The CSD commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Inn raid in New York City, which sparked days of clashes between activists and police. The demonstration in Cologne was accompanied by a multi-day street festival in the city center.

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the city of Cologne was never as full as this year for the CSD demonstration.