Berlin Pride kicks off with call for more LGBTQ+ rights protection

Berlin's 46th Pride demonstration kicked off on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands of people supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) communities took to the streets of the German capital, reported dpa.

Organizers expected up to half a million people to march through Berlin under the motto "Together we take a stand - democracy needs diversity."

Activist Sophie Koch opened the event with an appeal to politicians to include the protection of queer people in Germany's Basic Law.

According to the current law, people cannot be discriminated against or given preferential treatment because of their sex, ethnicity, race, language, home country and origin, faith, religious or political views.

Proponents of the law argue that sexual orientation should be added to this list. The queer community has long been calling for the article to be amended.

Family Minister Lisa Paus also spoke in favour of the amendment during her opening remarks. The Basic Law has a loophole, she said, and members of the queer community are not sufficiently protected.

In comments made ahead of opening ceremony, Paus also called for greater solidarity with members of the LGBTQ+ community in light of increasing violence against them.

"Across Europe, we are witnessing a socio-political backlash ... including here in Germany," the minister said. The response must be more solidarity, she added.

The Pride gathering in Berlin is one of the largest queer events in Europe.

The parade includes 75 floats, dozens of walking groups and a number of musicians, including German pop star Herbert Grönemeyer, a well-known celebrity in the country.