The parade was filled with loud music, lots of bubbles and even more free hugs. The other partner has to adopt in order to be given the same parental rights. In Germany, even if a lesbian couple are married, only the woman who gives birth is recognized as a child's mother. 'And,' she joked, 'it has better beer.'īoth women said how important it was to come out to the parade and continue to push for equal rights, especially when it comes to LGBT+ parents. 'It's also more multicultural,' added another woman, who gave her name as Hörnchen. 'Cologne is more tolerant than other cities,' said Birgit, a 55-year-old who is from the city.
When asked what makes Cologne's parade so special in Germany, many were quick to answer. In contrast to other pride parades in Germany, organizers in Cologne have made their event a political demonstration, purposefully limiting the size of the floats to maintain its protest atmosphere.īut the parade was also a celebration of the city itself. Carnival songs were peppered into the parade performances, which wound through Cologne's old town. People gathered early in front of the famed cathedral to march in the paradeĪround 150 different groups signed up to march in this year's parade.
