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 the “Tagesspiegel” that Merz’s remark 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 displaying 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, the leader of the Green party, also criticized the Chancellor’s word choice. Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” he stated that spontaneous remarks can be revealing and comparing the rainbow flag to a circus is more indicative of the speaker than the occasion itself. Banaszak highlighted the flag’s significance as a symbol of decades of struggle for equal rights, recognition and safety, a fight he noted was largely waged 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 parliamentary group leader, defended the Chancellor’s statements, telling the “Tagesspiegel” that Merz was “completely right”. He also supported Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU), who intends to fly the rainbow flag on May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Spahn argued that “black, red and gold stand for our liberal republic and thus also for equality and respect for minorities”. He added that prolonged symbolic debates on this matter do not contribute to the freedom and safety of gay and lesbian people in Germany.
Criticism has also emerged from the LGBTQ+ members within the Union (LSU). 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 described Merz’s language as “unfortunate” and stated that they would be speaking with the Chancellor personally, with a meeting already scheduled.