Green Party chief Felix Banaszak has sharply criticized Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) over significant cuts to funding for the queer community in the Brandenburg town of Rathenow, following the Islamist terrorist attack on the Berlin Christopher Street Day (CSD). In an interview with “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Wednesday edition), Banaszak noted that Merz and Prien had pledged protection and solidarity to the queer community after the incident. He lamented that now, with the immediate crisis having passed, they were withdrawing the financial foundation for a CSD. These funds, he stressed, are essential for smaller demonstrations to ensure safety and a smooth running event.
Banaszak stated that the action could only be interpreted as meaning, “Mrs. Prien does not care about queer visibility, cohesion, and local democracy.” He pointed out that in rural areas, CSDs serve as living expressions of freedom and are often the only public voice for queer people. He urged Prien to swiftly reverse the decision, warning that otherwise she has forfeited all public trust.
Dennis Driebusch, the organizer, confirmed the loss of funding for the Rathenow CSD in an interview with “Märkische Allgemeine” (part of “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”). He reported that approximately €1,000 in funding has been withdrawn. Previously, the event, which is a demonstration for diversity, democracy, and the rights of queer people, had been supported through the local “Partnership for Democracy” initiative under the federal “Democracy Lives” program. Driebusch, who has organized the event multiple times with the Youth Parliament, was unable to account for the sudden removal of the funding.
