Hundreds of thousands expected at Berlin’s Pride parade

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected in Berlin on Saturday for Berlin’s annual Pride parade, known locally as Christopher Street Day (CSD).

The demonstration is due to begin shortly before midday, with a route passing the Victory Column in the massive Tiergarten Park before ending at the Brandenburg Gate.

Singer Sarah Connor is due to perform in the evening.

This year’s motto is “Having convictions is hot.” The Berlin CSD is one of the largest events of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer community in Europe.

The CSD commemorates events in New York in 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn bar on Christopher Street, triggering several days of uprising by gay men, lesbians and transgender people – and sparking a global rights movement.

This year’s Berlin event runs over two days and began on Friday evening.

Police are expecting counter-protests from the far right on Saturday. A counter-demonstration has been registered with police, with organizers announcing 100 participants.