Berlin's first Drag* March coincides with Dyke* March, sparking scheduling debate

*For the first time, a Drag March took place at the start of CSD weekend in Berlin – simultaneously with the traditional Dyke March. This has drawn criticism.*

26 July 2026 | 09:59 Uhr

Drag* March: A Historic First

"Dear gender benders, drag kings, queens, and in-betweens!" With these words, roughly 200 participants were welcomed as they gathered on Friday afternoon at the Platz der Republik in front of the Bundestag for the first Drag* March in Berlin's history.

Only about 20 of them were dressed in drag – most as queens, a handful as kings. The march was organized by Berlin CSD e. V., Travestie für Deutschland, and the Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

The route led from the Bundestag along Scheidemannstraße, Yitzhak-Rabin-Straße, and finally onto Straße des 17. Juni, heading toward the Brandenburg Gate. The march was deliberately kept short, just over a kilometer long. The reason: "You have to think of all the people in stilettos," said one queen. A live big band led the march – the first trumpet was played by a queen in a wedding dress – and set off to "Bella ciao."

For many, the march was also a personal first: "It's the first time I've shown myself in drag in public," said one queen.

Political Context and Motivation

The fact that drag performers are increasingly becoming targets under the current rightward shift motivated many to participate.

• "I do notice that the wind is blowing stronger against drag and fetish than it already does against queer people," said one queen.
• Another felt the Drag March was long overdue: "That we haven't had this yet is almost shameful."
• Sister Daphne from the Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence had cautionary words on stage at the Brandenburg Gate: "We didn't fight against discrimination for decades just to let ourselves be hidden away again!"

Scheduling Concerns

The topic of the Dyke March also came up in conversations on the sidelines of the march.

• "Like in New York City, there should actually be four marches, on different days so they don't overlap," said one queen.
• In New York, the Drag March traditionally takes place on Friday, the Dyke March on Saturday, and the big CSD and the smaller Queer Liberation March on Sunday.
• "I'd prefer it if next year one event flowed into the other and the timing was better divided," said another queen.

Still, those present enjoyed it. One queen's verdict: "It was almost better than CSD!"

Lesbian Takeover in Berlin

In front of the Red Town Hall, tens of thousands of people gathered on Friday evening to take part in the Dyke* March. The sun beat down on the asphalt, and a gentle breeze set the rainbow flags on the town hall in motion.

The planned start of the demo route at 5 p.m. was delayed by over an hour. In the meantime, colorfully dressed dykes stormed the nearest Netto supermarket to stock up on supplies for the heat. Beer, energy drinks, and the bakery section feared for their existence.

On the grass, in the shade, Karla sits knitting a pink-and-white scarf that says "Dyke." "It's for my girlfriend," she says. Her girlfriend laughs: "It's way too hot for that." They sit facing each other and play a homemade "Dyke Tattoo Bingo" on the side: For every motif typically tattooed on lesbians, you get a point – scissors, moths, fruit, a postage stamp.

Before the march through the city center begins, speeches are to be held. But they are so quiet that only the first ten rows can hear them.

Incident and Response

Suddenly, a murmur goes through one corner of the demo: It stinks. Two boys scurry away giggling, one shoving a fart spray back into his pocket. A queerphobic attack at elementary school level.

Luckily, the dykes have brought military backup: A stormtrooper with a handmade armor in pink, orange, and white – the lesbian flag – patrols the crowd.

Finally, it starts: Hundreds of "I love my girlfriend / lesbian sex"