Politics — General-news

Rural Isolation - "Individuals Express Loneliness"

Smooth operation of initial CSD in Balingen, yet concerns persist among LGBTQ+ community over potential escalation with no assurance of support.

, and Administrator

2025 September 17 . 9:03 AM

2 min read

Rural Queer Experiences - "Individuals express feelings of isolation"

Rural Isolation - "Individuals Express Loneliness"

In the quiet town of Balingen, nestled in the southwest of Germany, a historic event is set to take place this Saturday. The first-ever Christopher Street Day (CSD) in the area will see hundreds of individuals coming together to celebrate diversity and self-acceptance, amidst a backdrop of rising tensions and increasing attacks against the queer community.

Balingen, home to 35,000 residents, will witness the arrival of the Dorfpride, a mobile Pride event that aims to bring inclusivity and solidarity to smaller towns and rural areas. However, the town's city council, led predominantly by the CDU, has rejected a joint application to fly the rainbow flag on the town hall on the occasion of the CSD.

Dominik Ochs, one of the organizers, estimates that 450 to 500 people will participate in the CSD in Balingen. This number, while significant for a rural town, pales in comparison to the over 161 formations that participated in the CSD in Stuttgart, making it the biggest CSD the city has ever seen.

The organizer notes a 'vibe-shift' since the federal election, particularly among people in the queer spectrum. This shift is also observed by others, including Pascal Conzelmann, one of the organizers from the SPD youth organization Jusos, who urges participants to find role models.

The first CSD in Balingen was motivated by the high election results of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the region. Participants were inspired to come out, hoping to make a statement against the growing intolerance in their community.

Unfortunately, the CSD in Balingen is not without its challenges. Dominik Ochs received emails from sponsors stating that their focus had changed, and they could not sponsor the CSD this year, after the federal election in February. Additionally, the Dorfpride organization reports an increase in hate messages online.

Elke Boernard, participating with her association Feuervogel Zollernalbkreis, expresses cautious optimism about the number of participants. She sees the CSD as an opportunity for "people to simply be there and not have to be ashamed of who they are."

Ramona Fuchs, SPD candidate for the state parliament in Sigmaringen, holds right-wing parties like the AfD and parts of the CDU responsible for the increase in reported attacks against the queer community in Baden-Württemberg. The number of attacks on queer people in Germany has been rising for years, according to figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).

Despite the rejection of flying the rainbow flag at the town hall, Dominik Ochs does not see this decision as the main problem. Instead, he emphasizes that in rural areas, there is no networking among queer people, and they often feel alone. The CSD in Balingen is a step towards addressing this isolation and fostering a sense of community.

Sabrina Zimmerer, a resident of Zeutern, has never spoken at home about loving women. The Dorfpride is making a stop in her hometown this Saturday, offering her a chance to find support and solidarity in her own community. For many like Sabrina, the CSD in Balingen is more than just a celebration—it's a beacon of hope in a time of growing darkness.