Thilo is the first openly HIV-positive mayor in Germany. The HIV activist was elected mayor of the municipality of Sieversdorf-Hohenofen on Sunday.
Politics
The private sphere is political! Find out about the latest developments and stories from politics and society.
In my opinion, in recent years the reports about trans* people in the media have been too focussed on the physical. In the end, trans* people were even followed on camera onto the operating table to show how and what genital surgery is performed. I don't see any enrichment for cis people in this. It merely serves a base sensationalism rather than genuine enlightenment.
Queer refugees are verbally and physically threatened in initial reception centres and hostels. The attackers often come from societies in which homosexuality is more strongly rejected than in Germany, for example from the Balkans or the Arab world. So far, only a few federal states have introduced systematic help.
The political discourse has clearly shifted to the right, with hate speech against refugees, homophobia, transphobia and anti-feminism becoming socially acceptable and talk-show-ready - time to take a firm stand against this, says Elmar Kraushaar
Prison for consensual gay sex: the last 175 prisoner was only released from prison in 2004 after serving a ten-year sentence. Manuel Izdebski on an incredible story and the insanity of criminalisation.
6,000 people in front of the Brandenburg Gate to commemorate the victims of Orlando, show solidarity with their families and set an example against homophobia and transphobia - Margot Schlönzke and Ryan Stecken are to thank for this moving action last Saturday, 17 June 2016.
It's a rainy day as I ride my motorbike into the East Berlin district of Treptow. Commercial areas, railway tracks, old buildings and gloomy corner pubs. My destination: a visit to Germany's first home for LGBTI refugees. As I make my way past parked lorries and building sites, I look for the home and am more than surprised when I suddenly find myself standing in front of a bright new building. After a check by the security staff, I am greeted in a friendly manner by Stephan Jäkel.
Mahmoud flees the Syrian civil war and eventually ends up in Germany. As a well-known gay activist, he is quickly granted asylum. Here he explains why he felt more helpless in the Berlin refugee centre than in Assad's secret prison.
As if the risky, often weeks-long flight was not stressful enough, gay refugees in particular are repeatedly subjected to homophobic hostility or even violent attacks by their flatmates in the collective accommodation centres.
They may have escaped persecution and oppression in their country of origin, but they are still far from being able to live freely and openly gay or lesbian lives in Germany. Homophobia in refugee centres and how the community can help.
