*Includes pictures *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading “To think what is true, to sense what is beautiful, and to what is good, hereby the spirit finds purpose of a life in reason.” – Johann Gottfried Herder, 18th century German philosopher and poet In 2012, the German capital recorded a staggering 700,000 people at its CSD Parade, with about 500,000 making it all the way to the end of the joyous march, which is said to have been the biggest and most well-attended pride parade of the year. Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, among the first openly gay politicians in Germany, famous for uttering the now locally iconic phrase, “Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so (I'm gay, and that is a good thing),” inaugurated the splendid march. Elaborately decorated floats carrying both muscular men in flamboyant period costumes and fabulous queens in their best lace-fronts and drag, wield rainbow flags and dance to techno music as they lead the tremendous party from the Kreuzberg District to the Pariser Platz. There, a live concert performed by a star-studded cast of DJs, singers, and other local legends entertained the blissful crowds until midnight. As the members of the LGBT community, local and from out of town, surrounded by their friends, family, and allies, grooved into the night, the Brandenburg Gate was converted to a colossal rainbow flag.