Christopher Street Day sparks activites in Munich's gay community
Christopher Street Day ’99 — an annual four-day celebration of gay rights won after a street riot in New York in 1969 — begins July 15. An estimated 70,000 gays, lesbians and heterosexuals are expected to participate in the festivities, which have the support of Munich Mayor Christian Ude. According to event coordinators, it is with help from the town council that Munich is becoming one of the most “gay friendly” cities in Europe. Pre-parties and exhibitions sponsored by various gay and lesbian bars and organizations will kick off the long weekend on Thursday. A “summer night’s party,” complete with barbecue, beer garden, DJ and go-go dancers, will be held at the Praterinsel on Friday. Colorful floats and live music highlight Saturday’s parade through the city, which ends in a nine-hour street festival at Marienplatz, at which Ude will speak. The Colosseum at KPO will be the venue for performances by The Weather Girls, Dancing Drags and will have a DJ at its Rainbow Party on Saturday night. The popular “pumps race,” in which participants must complete a variety of tasks while wearing high heels, brings the vibrant festival to a hilarious end. A complete listing of activities can be found at www.csd-munich.de, or in the local gay magazine Our Munich.