German Parliament President Julia Klöckner has defended her decision not to display rainbow flags at the Bundestag during the upcoming Christopher Street Day (CSD), commonly known as Pride.
Speaking to ARD’s Hauptstadtstudio, Klöckner emphasized the significance of the national flag, stating, “Our German parliament flies a flag that is difficult to surpass. Black, red and gold represent freedom, freedom of opinion, freedom of the press and individuality, including sexual identity”. She argued that maintaining neutrality is paramount, stating it is inconsistent to invoke neutrality when disagreeing with a cause, while abandoning it when supporting one.
Klöckner stressed the foundational principle of neutrality for the parliamentary administration. While acknowledging and respecting participation in the CSD, she clarified that involvement must remain personal and outside of working hours, with no special leave granted. “The administration must be neutral, even if the cause is honorable” she explained. “This applies equally to other demonstrations, such as Fridays for Future or the March for Life. We must maintain neutrality, even if it’s sometimes difficult.
When questioned about her personal attendance at the Berlin CSD, as requested by the Union of Lesbians and Gays, Klöckner remained noncommittal, stating she could not disclose her schedule. She did, however, confirm that she had participated in a CSD event in the past.
