The Daily IIJ

Hundreds of thousands of people on Saturday paraded at Berlin’s Victory Column to mark Christopher Street Day Celebration (CSD).

The occasion is also known as Gay Pride in English speaking countries. This year’s celebration was under the theme “Step for step into homo-happiness- all rights for all”.

Gays and lesbians were dressed up or ‘dressed down’ in a march to protest against discrimination in society.

A local website, The Local Germany’s news in English estimated this year’s participants of the event to 550,000.00, a ten percent above last year’s participants.

The carnival which kicked off at 12 noon saw the Mayor of Berlin City, Klaus Wowereit (a gay) leading the protest.

There were calls for constitutional amendment by the homosexuals to include sexuality among other features in the German’s Constitution which fundamentally kicks against discrimination.

The Mayor was reported to have added his voice to the call for constitutional amendment but admits it will not be easy since it requires about two-thirds of Parliamentarians to support his claim.

“We cannot and will not forget what happened (referring to the pre-1969 German laws). We have to fight everyday that people are not discriminated against and excluded”, Mr. Wowereit was quoted as saying on the website of The Local Germany’s news in English.

He however called for rehabilitation and compensation of gays who were prosecuted under the pre-1969 German laws.

The crowd was entertained by musicians drawn from all corners of the country. There was merry making all over the place. Partners were seen kissing and hugging each other.

It was also a day for reconciliation as some partners were seen settling scores between them.

There were more than fifty decorated floats of which the costumed crowd followed.

It was a field day for drink producers (beverage and non-beverage) as they capitalized on the occasion to boost their sales by positioning themselves along the streets.

Marketers of other produce also used the occasion to promote their products.

Local Police, Red Cross and other security agencies were there in their numbers to offer assistance to the large crowd who trouped to the Victory Column.

Sympathizers of the event who shared their views on the occasion told this reporter about their happiness for people to come out and fight against discrimination.

“It’s a great occasion and there is nothing wrong with it. This shows that there is no discrimination in Germany. Of course, some societies may have their own reservations, the German Constitution approves it”, noted Carola.

Every year in June, Berliners raise their flag high to celebrate Christopher Street Day with a spectacular Gay Pride Parade. The festivities take place in the Tiegarten Park in Victory Column of Berlin’s district of Schoeneberg.

A week before the occasion, the city hosts the largest gay and lesbian street festival in Europe.