FC Bayern stand for tolerance and openness at Christopher Street Day

With their huge red and white flags bearing the FC Bayern crest, they were impossible to miss in the colourful chaos of Christopher Street Day. The 50 or so women and men from 'Queerpass Bayern', the first queer FC Bayern fan club, sent a clear signal for diversity, tolerance and openness during the parade through Munich city centre in conjunction with the German record champions. "Football is everything - even gay" was written on their accompanying float, and this year their t-shirts were adorned with the message: "Football is for everyone". Mayor Dieter Reiter was also presented with one, posed for a group photo together - and also wore the shirt at the end of the event during his speech on Marienplatz.

Herbert Hainer, FC Bayern president: "We are happy to have once again sent out a statement for tolerance and diversity alongside our queer fans. Christopher Street Day is about making the equal rights of the LGBTIQ+ community visible. As a cosmopolitan club, we stand up for freedom and self-determination." CEO Oliver Kahn said: "Mia san bunt ['We are diverse'] - we underlined this once again at Christopher Street Day. We live values such as diversity and tolerance. For us, it is a matter of course that all people feel welcome, valued and comfortable in our FC Bayern family."  

"It was a very, very nice day for all of us and our club put on a great display overall. After a two-year pandemic break, it was special for us to finally be able to celebrate Christopher Street Day again," said Tom Ponetsmüller, one of the board members of Queerpass Bayern. His colleague Marcus Janke added: "Berni in particular was once again super with the people, everyone wanted photos with him. It's great that we have such togetherness with FC Bayern, not only on Christopher Street Day. We are looking forward to further joint projects and already now to the joint Christopher Street Day next year."

The parade travelled a good four kilometres through Munich's city centre, from Mariahilfplatz in the Au via Gärtnerplatz, Sendlinger Tor and Oberanger to Rindermarkt and Marienplatz. This year, Christopher Street Day had the overall leitmotif "Less me, more we". Before the start, the Queerpass members served cake for refreshment - of course with strawberries in FC Bayern red and a club emblem made of marzipan. A cheeky dachshund in an appropriate tulle costume also sniffed with interest, but he didn't stand a chance - the cake was quickly devoured. The way to (Bavarian) love is through the stomach.