Erfurt (dpa/th) - Because of the energy crisis, the state parliament building in Erfurt will not be illuminated in the rainbow colors this year - however, the rainbow flag will be hoisted for the third time as a sign of solidarity. This was announced by the state parliament administration on Tuesday. A reception for the Thuringian Alliance around Christopher Street Day (CSD) is planned for the evening, to which Birgit Pommer, President of the State Parliament, and Bodo Ramelow, Prime Minister (both from the left), are expected.
"People who meet in dialogue in all their diversity make this Free State strong," said Pommer according to the announcement. Only a colorful Thuringia is a Thuringia worth living in. "Self-determined life and love have a firm place in our society." With the colors of the rainbow, the CSD alliance has been setting an example for equality, tolerance and the rights of people of different sexual orientations for many years.
According to the statement, Ramelow said that in view of the increasing spread of misanthropic worldviews, it was particularly important to publicly stand up for the acceptance of the various ways of life, for the freedom of individual sexual and gender identity and against any form of discrimination and disadvantage.
On August 27th the Thuringian CSD will take place with demonstrations and events in Erfurt. The movement goes back to an event at the end of June 1969. Police officers in New York stormed a bar on Christopher Street and triggered an uprising by gays, lesbians and transsexuals against the despotism.
