Hamburg Pride Parade: Refugees Get LGBTQ Rights Denied in Homeland

Hamburg in Germany saw several refugees join the LGBTQ parade in an emphatic expression of freedom of sexuality.

The event saw participation from queer members of the refugee community seeking protection against discrimination. (Photo Courtesy: Shobha Rana Grover)

The sky was overcast, with a chance of rain. Such gloomy weather, however, didn’t deter any spirits. Thousands of members of the LGBT community and their supporters converged on the streets of Hamburg in Germany to celebrate diversity and raise voice against exclusion. 

With the motto “Normal is to respect people”, the participants of the ‘Christopher Street Day (CSD) – Hamburg 2016’ called for equality, tolerance and respect for all as they strutted down the street in rainbow colours on 6 August 2016. Thousands of onlookers, lining both sides of the streets, cheered the parade on the penultimate day of the annual week-long gala.

Thousands of members of the LGBT community and their supporters converged on the streets of Hamburg in Germany. (Photo Courtesy: Shobha Rana Grover)

The parade also paid homage to the victims of Orlando gay nightclub massacre – one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.  A group of participants walked in solemn silence as they carried photographs of each of the 49 victims bearing their name and age.  The group was followed by revellers of all ages, decked out in elaborate costumes, dancing to techno and pop beats, calling for the creation of a just and free society.

Yes, it’s amazing to be here. We are proud of what we have already achieved, but a lot more needs to be done.

Jason, a proud participant

A group of participants walked in solemn silence as they carried photographs of each of the 49 victims of the Orlando shootout. (Photo Courtesy: Shobha Rana Grover)

Germany enacted a law in 2013 that allows a third gender option on birth certificates enabling parents to choose “indeterminate” if the newborn shows both male and female characteristics. Germany became first country in Europe to come out with such a legislation –often hailed as a groundbreaking development for intersex community

I want to see a colourful Germany where you are respected and accepted irrespective of your gender, race or colour. We want the right to marry, to adopt children.

A participant

The event also saw participation from queer members of the refugee community seeking protection against discrimination. (Photo Courtesy: Shobha Rana Grover)

Same-sex marriages are not legal in the country. However same-sex civil partnerships are allowed, enabling such couples to enjoy many rights as married couples.

Child adoption is another grey area. Activists say a complex set of rules makes it cumbersome for members of the LGBT community to opt for adoption, and it’s not legal for same-sex couples to jointly adopt a child.

Same-sex couples’ demand for  marriage and adoption rights on par with their heterosexual counterparts has been a longstanding one.

The participants also extended support to refugees, condemning the growing resentment against them. (Photo Courtesy: Shobha Rana Grover)

The participants also extended support to refugees condemning growing resentment against them following a spate of violent attacks in the country. The event also saw participation from queer members of the refugee community seeking protection against discrimination.

The dazzling extravaganza was also an occasion for the community to celebrate the rights they have won over the years. (Photo Courtesy: Shobha Rana Grover)

The confetti flew through the air and spirits rose higher with the blasts of electronica  as the stream of revellers walked and rode on decorated truck-floats cheering, raising slogans, and calling for inclusion and acceptance. The dazzling extravaganza was also an occasion for the community to celebrate the rights they have won over the years.