In the past two decades following the reunification of Germany, Berlin’s cultural diversity has made it the capital of the gay world and a very popular holiday destination among the collective. As the eclectic and tolerant city it is, Berlin hosts one of the most important and symbolic Gay Pride Festivals of Europe.

The Berlin Gay Pride, better known as Christopher Street Day, is held at the end of June (June 27th, 2009), coinciding with other notable Gay Pride Celebrations such as the New York Gay Pride, the San Francisco Gay Pride, the Paris Gay Pride , the Madrid Gay Pride along with other cities around the world.

In addition, during the weekend before the Pride parade, Berlin will host the annual Lesbisch-Schwules Stadtfest festival, turning it into the Europe’s longest gay event. So, from June 20th the German capital will be the centre of the gay cause.

The Gay Pride will take place in the Berlin’s popular gay district of Schöneberg. The heart of the LBGT movement, the Nollendorfplatz will be the scene of celebrations for both weekends (19th – 21st) and 26th and 28th respectively.

The Gay Pride Parade, which holds its 31st edition, will move through the Schoneburg area. It will begin at noon on the corner of Kurfurstendamn and Knesebeckstrasse and it will continue through Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz. Then it will turn left at Bülowstrasse and will go on along Potsdamerstrasse and Potsdamerplatz. After, it will continue till the Brandenburg Gate where it will turn west and go through the famous Tiergarten Park and directly to the Victory Column (Siegessäule). Once there, a very proud festival will be held.

The Christopher Street Day is celebrated in memory of the first major rebellion of the attacks against homosexuals by the police in Greenwich Village (New York, USA) on June 27th, 1969. The so-called Stonewall riots occurred at the Stonewall Inn bar. This way, the first German CSD was held in Bremen and Berlin in 1979.

You can’t miss this amazing gay festival of  the Berlin gay pride! Rent Apartments in Berlin and enjoy good, cheap, and gay-friendly accommodation.

Berlin is a liberal, modern and cosmopolitan city. Because of that it has become one of the most influential gay destinations in Europe. Its gay community is one of the three largest in the Old Continent, along with Amsterdam and London. Even the town’s mayor, Klaus Wowereit, declared himself openly gay when he assumed office. This way, it isn’t strange that the German capital has tolerance and sympathy for this community.

The gay scene in the city is highly diversified. Throughout all the neighbourhoods the rainbow flags are waving, so there isn’t just a single gay area, but they are scattered throughout the city.

There is a prominently male atmosphere and it is concentrated around the Nollendorf Square in Schöneberg, around the west area. At that place, a commemorative monument as a reminder to the homosexual victims of the Nazi regime was put up. In this neighbourhood the Mann-O-Meter – which is the most important male gay collective in Berlin is located. Moreover, there is a large concentration of gay and gay-friendly hotels and “men only” premises (Rob, Man’s, Jaxx, Mr.B). But not all the cultural and gastronomic offer is aimed at men in Schönefeld. There are plenty of mixed bars or pubs for straight people.

The East area (close to Schönhauser Allee) is much more alternative and peaceful, though it also has a large concentration of bars, restaurants and discotheques. Next to the Alexanderplatz square there are some popular pubs and premises such as Kinzer or GMF @ Café Moskau. And near Kreuzberg & F’hain there are renowned clubs like SchwuZ, Serena Bar, SO36 or Culture Club. The most popular areas for lesbians are Kreuzberg and Berlin-Mitte.

In addition, each year Berlinhosts one of the biggest Gay Pride days in Europe (known as “Christopher Street Day”). It began 25 years ago and today half a million people take part.

Rent Apartments in Berlin and discover the pink side of the capital. You’ll have a great time there!.