Following Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU)’s justification for not flying the rainbow flag at the Bundestag during this year’s Christopher Street Day, stating the parliament “is not a circus tent” the federal government is now voicing sharp criticism.
Sophie Koch, the German government’s commissioner for equality, told “Tagesspiegel” that Merz’s statement implied queer individuals were “circus animals” performing for public amusement. The SPD politician emphasized that LGBTQ+ people are an integral part of society and that flying the rainbow flag at the Bundestag would be a “powerful commitment of the state” to protecting their dignity. She suggested such understanding would be appropriate for a Chancellor.
Felix Banaszak, leader of the Green party, also criticized the Chancellor’s choice of words. Speaking to “Tagesspiegel” he suggested Merz’s remark revealed more about him than the occasion itself. Banaszak stated the flag symbolizes decades of struggle for equal rights, recognition and safety, a fight he noted had largely been against the CDU and CSU. He observed a “cultural battle” against diversity and equality, asserting that “there can be no neutrality” on this issue.
In contrast, Jens Spahn, the CDU’s parliamentary group leader, defended the Chancellor’s comments, echoing support for Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU), who intends to fly the rainbow flag on May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Spahn told “Tagesspiegel” that “black, red and gold stand for our democratic republic and thus also for equality and respect for minorities”. He argued that prolonged symbolic debates are detrimental to the freedom and security of gay and lesbian people in Germany.
Criticism has also emerged from Lesben und Schwulen in der Union (LSU), the LGBTQ+ group within the CDU. LSU chairman Sönke Siegmann told “taz” that the rainbow flag represents what the democratic state stands for – human dignity, diversity, equality and social cohesion. He deemed Merz’s wording “unfortunate” and confirmed that he would be speaking with the Chancellor personally, noting a meeting had already been scheduled.
