Gifhorn Pride 2027

Gifhorn has its own Pride. It is organised by Queeres Netzwerk Gifhorn e.V., the local queer association that also runs the queer centre Spektrum in the town. Gifhorn Pride takes place in July and combines a demonstration through the town centre with a street festival in the pedestrian zone.

The march sets off from Schillerplatz, loops through the centre of Gifhorn and ends at the Ceka fountain, where the street festival begins. There is a stage with speeches and music, along with stalls from regional associations, political parties and local businesses. Groups that want to join the march with their own vehicle, handcart or music can register in advance, and anyone can join the march along the way. In the evening there is an official after-show party in Gifhorn.

The organisers see Pride first of all as a political demonstration. Their message is that queer life is not just a big-city thing and that being visible in a rural area takes courage.

That background is very real in the district. The association reports rainbow flags being torn down and set on fire in villages in the north of the district, and Spektrum itself was the target of a far-right attack in which a swastika was taped to its shop window. For many people, Pride in Gifhorn is a way of showing that queer people in the district are not on their own.

Each year the association looks for volunteers to help with setting up, dismantling and stewarding. Date, route and registration are published in good time on the Gifhorn Pride website. The largest Pride in the wider region is held in nearby Braunschweig in August, over two days, with a march, a rally and a PrideNight party.