The slogan “We stay here!” is closely linked to the history of Leipzig and the whole of East Germany. In the autumn of 1989, it was shouted for the first time during the Monday demonstrations by thousands of people who took to the streets for freedom, democracy and human rights. They courageously, resolutely and peacefully defended themselves against the dictatorship of the SED. With their call, they wanted to express that they did not want to give up East German society by emigrating to “the West”. They wanted to stay here. To change something here and make a difference for the better.
It is precisely this idea that prompted us to organise Leipzig Pride 2025 under the motto “We stay here!”. We also want to make a difference for the better – here, in our home country. We too are taking to the streets for freedom, democracy and human rights. Against marginalisation, hatred, hate speech and discrimination. We demand a future in which it doesn’t matter who we love. A future in which it doesn’t matter what gender you are or whether you don’t want to be categorised by any definition of gender, sexuality or romance. A future that is becoming increasingly dangerous to fight for. A future for which we – especially in eastern Germany – are increasingly taking a risk when we publicly stand up for it.
When over 30 per cent of a society votes for parties that openly agitate against queer people and want to banish us back into invisibility, it must be frightening. We feel this fear too. Many queer people have already toyed with the idea of leaving “here” at least once. To another city, to another federal state or even to another country altogether.
But as understandable as we may find this thought at first glance, we must not allow this fear and feeling of powerlessness to paralyse us or drive us away. If we leave now, we leave everything we have fought so long and hard for to the queerphobes, anti-democrats and right-wing extremists. Then they would have won. We cannot allow this to happen! We must stand firm and seek allies. These are worrying times. But we must not fall silent. We must be all the louder, we must be more visible. So join us! Come to the CSD Leipzig demonstration on 28 June 2025. On the 56th anniversary of Stonewall, let’s stand up for queer rights together, loud and proud, armed with placards and Pride flags.
To all those who reject our existence: We will not be banished to invisibility again. You will not get rid of us!
We stay here!
