"Restricting LGBTQ Rights in the U.S."
"Europe Must Not Follow Suit"
Several American companies have reportedly withdrawn their sponsorship from the queer festival "Christopher Street Day" (CSD) held in Cologne, Germany.
According to WDR broadcast on the 29th (local time), the organizing body Cologne Pride Association announced the previous day that a "well-known" sponsor had withdrawn support, without disclosing the company's name. Local media speculated that the sponsor in question was the American automaker Ford. Ford has its European headquarters and production plant in Cologne and has sponsored the event for 28 years.
The association pointed out that the companies withdrawing sponsorship were reacting to the changed political climate in the United States. The association stated, "Europe must not follow the path of the Donald Trump administration in the United States, which is severely restricting the rights of sexual minorities."
Previously, President Trump, upon taking office on January 20, officially signed an executive order recognizing only two genders, male and female. In addition, his administration has been abolishing existing policies of inclusion for sexual minorities, such as banning athletes who have transitioned to female from participating in sports competitions.
Dominik Enste of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research commented, "In the United States, an increasing number of companies are abandoning diversity policies. This is often due to political pressure," adding that the impact is also being seen in Germany.
The Cologne CSD, held over three days at the beginning of July each year, is the largest queer festival in Europe, attracting 1.4 million visitors?more than the local population of 1.1 million.
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