Today, #WorldPride 2026 reaches its grand finale with the #CanalPride in #Amsterdam.People often ask: Do we still need Pride today?My answer is clear: Yes.On Amsterdam’s Museumplein, 63 flags represent the countries where homosexuality is still criminalized. In some of them, people can even face the death penalty simply because of who they love.These flags remind us that the fight for freedom, human dignity, and equal rights is far from over.As a Christian Democrat, I believe that every person has the right to live and love freely, openly, and without fear. Human dignity belongs to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.Pride is far more than a colorful celebration. It is a visible commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights. It reminds us that equality should never be taken for granted.The fight for #LGBTIQ+ rights is not only a cause for those directly affected. It is a commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the inviolability of human dignity.Equal rights are not the responsibility of the LGBTIQ+ community alone. They are the responsibility of society as a whole. Human rights either apply to everyone—or they lose their credibility.As a gay Christian Democrat, this issue is deeply personal to me. It is not just a political debate—it is about my own life, human dignity, freedom, and equal rights. I know how important acceptance, respect, and the freedom to openly love the person you love truly are. At the same time, I know how fortunate I am to live in Germany, while people in many parts of the world are still persecuted, imprisoned, or even sentenced to death simply because of who they are or whom they love.As long as even one country persecutes people because of their sexual orientation, we cannot remain silent. We must continue to raise our voices—for respect, equal rights, and the freedom of every person to live and love openly.Love is not a crime. It is a human right. And I truly believe that, in the end, love will prevail.#HappyPride! 🏳️🌈
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