Gaycation Editorial

Berlin CSD Expands to Two Days for the First Time in Its History

Berlin's Christopher Street Day will take place across two days for the first time in its nearly 50-year history. The organisers announced that the 2026 Pride weekend will begin on Friday 24 July with an evening rally at the Brandenburg Gate, followed by the traditional parade through the city centre on Saturday 25 July. The Friday programme is billed as a democracy-themed evening featuring live music, artistic performances and political contributions across three stages on the Strasse des 17. Juni. The event is scheduled to run from 18:00 to 23:00. Full programme details will be announced closer to the date.

By Derek

Dominik Krause Elected First Gay Lord Mayor of Munich, Ending Decades of SPD Rule

Munich has a new lord mayor. On Sunday, 22 March 2026, Green Party candidate Dominik Krause won the run-off election in Munich, unseating incumbent Dieter Reiter of the SPD. With this result, Krause has broken the SPD's grip on the city's leadership, which had lasted for over four decades. Since 1948, the post had been held almost continuously by Social Democrats, with the sole exception being a brief CSU tenure from 1978 to 1984.

By Derek

Poland Must Recognise Same-Sex Marriages Celebrated Abroad. A Landmark Ruling Explained

A Warsaw court has ordered Poland to transcribe a same-sex marriage certificate into its civil registry for the first time. Here is what happened, why it matters, and what it means for LGBTQ+ people in Poland today.

By Derek

EU Top Court Rules Member States Must Allow Legal Gender Recognition

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has today delivered one of the most significant rulings for trans rights in the history of the bloc, finding that EU member states are legally obliged to provide functioning legal gender recognition (LGR) procedures for their nationals who have exercised the right to move and reside freely within the EU. The judgment in case C-43/24 Shipova sets a clear precedent that will reverberate across the Union and puts three member states — Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia — on direct notice that their current laws are incompatible with EU obligations.

By Derek

EU's Top Court Rules Poland Must Recognise Same-Sex Marriages from Other Member States

A landmark ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has confirmed that EU member states are legally obliged to recognise same-sex marriages lawfully concluded in other member states — a decision with far-reaching consequences for LGBTQ+ couples living in countries such as Poland and Hungary, where same-sex unions have no legal standing.