Pride

Pride parades

Although June is Pride month, several prides are happening in different cities in Germany! 

For the first time, I went to a pride parade, which I always wanted to go to since I arrived in Germany! I attended the Pride Parade in Mainz, which took place at the end of July.

First of all, I was a little bit confused, because here it’s not exactly called „Pride,“  but Christopher Street day (CSD). The CSD commemorates the Stonewall riots, the first major uprising by LGBT individuals against police violence. These events occurred at the Stonewall Inn, a bar located on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, on June 28, 1969. So that’s why here in Germany the pride month/day is called Christopher Street day. 

My first pride

My first pride was everything I expected and even more!

It was so nice to see everyone just being themselves, and I knew I could be myself!! So many colors, so much music, people laughing, giving gifts to one another… but something that really made me feel emotional was seeing people just watching us walk and clapping or dancing with us. I know that in many countries, something like this is unthinkable, and just seeing how people here are so accepting and caring makes me really happy.

I was so happy!

I was so happy to be there, although it was raining for almost all the parade, it felt exactly like home, and it’s so inclusive! I felt happy because my friends were happy and I felt happy because maybe some of those people can’t be themselves outside of pride, so that was their moment to be free and happy. I still can’t put into worlds what a magical moment it was.

 

I will definitely go more times!

I will go to every Pride I can! The feeling is unbelievable to describe, and I want to be part of something like this again!

There was also a party after it with queer djs and nice music! 

If you are still wondering if you should go or not, you should! You feel like you are at the right place!