Importance/meaning and history

It all started like a routine raid – on that very morning of June 28 1969

Police cars stopped in front of the “Stonewall Inn” in New York , the “pigs” spread to all entrances, raided the rooms and checked the guests IDs and urged them to go outside. But this time the approx. 200 gays, lesbians and transsexuals wouldn't let themselves be bullied so easily. In front of the pub located in the Christopher Street more and more “queers” gathered, discussed what was happening and shouted “Hi sisters! Come here, there are guys over here!

The police did not expect this kind of resistance – Up until that time, the “gays” had preferred to be anonymous. Defeated for the time being, the cops retreated. From this day on the gay and lesbian movement gained importance, the spark of “gay liberation” spread from New York , throughout the U.S. , to South America , Europe and Australia .

In many big cities and even in smaller ones in our republic, and alll over the world “Christopher Street Day” reminds of the significance of that day “ June 28 1969 ”.

With parades and parties on the street, gays and lesbians can freely go out on the street and celebrate. The issues at hand were and still are the current politics and demands (Abolishment of §175, judicial equality of treatment, “gay marriage” among others) as well as the parade participants having more and more fun presenting themselves. For many people it is also an important step during their coming out.

This text was taken from the site: www.stadt.gay-web.de

We are still working on our own galleries – so here are some links that have CSD image galleries: