Christopher Street Day is now celebrated in about 150 places in Germany.

The number of homophobic crimes is rising in Germany – and the demonstrations marking Christopher Street Day (CSD) are also facing increasing hostility. "We're seeing a massive increase in online threats," Kai Bölle, board member of the CSD Germany association, told the German Press Agency. In addition, groups of young right-wing extremists are calling for counter-actions. Bölle said: "It's taken on a new quality." Police nationwide have been sensitized and are protecting the demonstrations.

According to the association, there were 150 Pride events last year with approximately three million participants. This Saturday, demonstrations under the rainbow flag are planned in Hanover, Saarbrücken, and Schwerin, among other cities. In 2024, 27 organized counter-actions by right-wing extremist groups were counted. Threatening emails to Pride organizers are being used to create a climate of fear, Bölle said. "Participants are becoming more cautious, meeting at the train station, and walking to and from the demonstration in groups."

Anti-queer crimes fall under the category of politically motivated crime. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, 1,765 cases (an increase of 18 percent compared to 2023) were reported last year in the area of ​​sexual orientation, as well as 1,152 cases directed against trans or non-binary people (an increase of 35 percent).

Andre Lehmann, board member of the LSVD (Association for Queer Diversity), said that anti-queer hate crimes have once again reached a "sad peak." However, the high numbers so far do not reflect the full extent. "There is a lack of uniform recording by the states, a nationwide reporting center, and an understanding of the number of unreported cases," Lehmann criticized. "Approximately 90 percent of crimes directed against queer people still remain unreported."