FC Bayern and QUEERPASS at Christopher Street Day

A single picture can tell entire stories: At this year’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) in the heart of Munich, there were several pictures that make a great motif together. For example, a member of FC Bayern fan club QUEERPASS walking side by side with a St. Pauli supporter. A corresponding post on social media received the following comment: “You’ll never walk alone.” The core message: Standing for values like tolerance and cosmopolitanism together.

As in the last few years, FC Bayern supported its fan club QUEERPASS with its Red against Racism initiative at Christopher Street Day to stand together for diversity and against discrimination of any kind. This year, members of FC St. Pauli also took part – there had been a joint Red against Racism workshop with the Bundesliga rivals at the FC Bayern Campus ahead of the match at the Allianz Arena in March, because despite the competition, they are on the same page in terms of social values. Mascot Berni took part again this year, tirelessly fulfilling selfie requests as he does at every CSD. There was a large banner with the slogan “Diversity wins – on and off the pitch”, and the logos of the fan club and of the German record champions as well as its Red against Racism initiative adorned the float provided by FC Bayern.

“We’re very pleased FC Bayern has been supporting us so well for years – not only at Christopher Street Day, but also in our interactions throughout the year,” said QUEERPASS representatives Tom Ponetsmüller and Marcus Janke. Be it with joint workshops, exchange formats or meet-ups with players like Pernille Harder or Magda Eriksson: “We feel part of a club and that we can actively participate. This helps to sensitise people when it comes to diversity. FC Bayern is cosmopolitan – and we feel at home here.”

The shirts designed by QUEERPASS for this CSD had the motto “Egalité, Diversité, Queerité” (equality, diversity, queer self-determination). A total of 75 fan club members were on site and joined by managing directors Benny Folkmann und Kiki Hasenpusch, staff and athletes from various sections. Already a tradition: the visit of Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter for a joint photo before the floats set off. A total of more than 250,000 people and 200 registered groups attended this year’s CSD in Munich. Reiter wore the QUEERPASS shirt at the closing rally at Marienplatz. The rainbow flags in front of the Town Hall are “a social symbol,” Reiter said: “Stay loud, stay colourful – that’s queer life! We won’t bow down!” FC Bayern lit up the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours at the end of the CSD again this year.