# Merseburg Pride: Queer Life and Far-Right Hate in Rural Germany

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2068805576495112553
- Source account: [@AldousHuxIey](https://x.com/AldousHuxIey)
- Source language: German
- Target language: English
- Duration: 2:01
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Machine translated. Check the original before quoting.
- Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany
- Original-language version: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/de/csd-in-merseburg-queeres-leben-und-rechter-hass-auf-dem-land.md

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany) We see swastikas and graffiti everywhere. We see the looks directed at us, when we wear anything that isn't just pants and a T- shirt.

[0:08](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=8) It's getting more and more far- right, more and more right- wing. 14- year- old kids attack you. Ultimately, it's misanthropy, because it's hatred of people against people.

[0:21](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=21) A drag show at the CSD in Merseburg. Under police protection, the queer community celebrates in rural Saxony- Anhalt.

[0:31](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=31) It's only the second CSD in the 36,000- resident town of Merseburg.

[0:37](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=37) I'm taking to the streets in Merseburg today so that I can feel more accepted, that it's normal that I'm queer, that I have a girlfriend or don't conform to gender norms. The more queer people move away from rural areas, the more difficult it becomes to maintain the already sparse services for those who stay.

[0:57](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=57) Ole Wittkamp knows this problem only too well. The 29- year- old works at the coordination office funded by the state of Saxony- Anhalt, working to also maintain support for LGBTI people in rural areas. Saxony- Anhalt is simply a sprawling state.

[1:14](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=74) Most people don't live in the big cities, meaning Magdeburg, Halle, and Dessau, but in rural areas.

[1:21](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=81) There is little infrastructure there, few services, and that, of course, also makes it more dangerous for people to be visible on the street.

[1:26](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=86) It's about being there for each other. If this state, if this country, if this government fail at this task, as has already been the case for too long. Mika wants to fight. He is also worried.

[1:40](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=100) He has also already thought about moving away, says the 25- year- old student from Halle. But so far, his radical optimism has always kept the upper hand. When push comes to shove, or when it gets harder and harder, as is the case now, then we draw closer together,

[1:53](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/pWYXxyZGFl06/en/merseburg-pride-queer-life-and-far-right-hate-in-rural-germany?t=113) and we stay together, and we fight together.