Visible and in solidarity at Christopher Street Day

• Kick-off to Pride Season with a thank-you party for volunteer engagement
• Employees of Commerzbank and comdirect fly the flag at CSDs in Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg and Magdeburg
• Attack on the Berlin CSD leads to strong solidarity within and with the queer community
• With the motto "United and loud. Because you matter." the bank sent a clear signal for solidarity and a society without hate

With rainbow colours in their logo, Commerzbank and comdirect entered Pride Season in early June full of hope. The high-rise building in Frankfurt was illuminated – and high above the rooftops of Frankfurt, a Pride Party was held for the first time on 1 July 2026. HR Board Member Sabine Mlnarsky had invited everyone who volunteers throughout the year within the Bank to promote diversity, acceptance and inclusion.

This also includes a great deal of organisation behind the scenes. Once again this year, Commerzbank took part in Frankfurt’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) with its own float. Under the motto "Loud together. Because you count." more than 100 employees showed – both on the float and in a walking group – that every single person is important and right just as they are. Divisional Board Member Hans-Georg Beyer and Supervisory Board members Heike Anscheit and Maxi Leuchters were also visibly present in support.

The need for such a commitment became shockingly clear immediately afterwards. The attack on the Berlin CSD, which left one person dead and 31 injured, caused deep grief and dismay. Shortly before, employees had also been demonstrating for diversity and openness on the Commerzbank float there. That evening, this very freedom was attacked.

"When we took to the streets together at the Berlin CSD, one thing above all was palpable: we were all people standing up for one another – people who demonstrate, celebrate and take a stand. The fact that this day took such a dramatic turn because of the terrible events left me stunned," says Sabine Mlnarsky. "But now more than ever, it is imperative that we take a stand – for a society in which people can be themselves without fear."

For that very reason, one week after the attack, around 140 employees took to the streets in Hamburg with even greater resolve than before. "Many came with mixed feelings," reports Eva Balzer, member of the board of ARCO, Commerzbank's Pride employee resource group. "That made it all the more moving and important to see how Hamburg's CSD became a powerful symbol of solidarity and cohesion." A memorial banner and black ribbons commemorated the victims in Berlin. At the same time, the comdirect float and the motto "Love, self-determined" sent a strong signal for love, acceptance and self-determination.

"We will not be intimidated. We are committed to a free, open-minded and diverse society," emphasised comdirect Divisional Board Member Sabine Schoon-Renné, who attended in Hamburg together with Matthias Füssel, Divisional Board Member HR at Commerzbank AG.

This stance was reinforced by more than 20 colleagues from Commerzbank and ComTS, who took part for the first time with a walking group at the CSD in Magdeburg last Saturday. "Choose love – for democracy and humanity" was the motto there, shortly before the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.

"After Bautzen last year, it was particularly important to us again this year not only to be present at the major CSDs," says Fiona Briscoe, Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Employee Listening. "Visibility is not a trend; for many people, it is a risk. In Magdeburg it became especially clear once again why we need Pride: for freedom, protection and human rights."