We are heartbroken by the tragedy at Berlin Pride last night.

Pride has always been more than a celebration. It is a declaration that LGBTQIA+ people deserve to be seen, live safely and experience joy without fear.

Today we mourn the woman whose life was taken, everyone who was injured, their loved ones, the witnesses and the entire Berlin queer community.

We also extend our gratitude to the emergency responders, organizers and community members who acted quickly to protect and care for other attendees during an unimaginable situation.

No one should have to risk their life simply to stand proudly in who they are. We deserve to be proud. We deserve to experience joy. Our humanity must be treated as sacred, and our safety must never be conditional.

We must also acknowledge the broader climate in which LGBTQIA+ safety is being compromised. Far-right politicians, movements and media figures continue to turn queer and trans lives into political targets.

Dehumanizing rhetoric never remains abstract. It erodes empathy, legitimizes hostility and makes our communities more vulnerable. We refuse to allow violence against LGBTQIA+ people to take hold in the spaces that have long represented safety, visibility and freedom of expression.

At the same time, this tragedy cannot be exploited as an excuse for racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia or collective blame. The actions of an individual are not the responsibility of an entire nationality, religion or migrant community. We cannot defend one marginalized community by endangering another.

Our safety is interconnected. Our solidarity must be unwavering. Sapphic Insider Publication stands with the Berlin LGBTQIA+ community and with LGBTQIA+ communities everywhere.