As Pride celebrations grow and proliferate, they often become sites of controversy. Ahmed Awadalla examines the ever-evolving landscape of LGBTIQ+ Pride in Germany.
Politics
The private sphere is political! Find out about the latest developments and stories from politics and society.
The number of registered anti-queer offences is on the rise - in Berlin too. Manu Abdo spoke to Bastian Finke from the gay anti-violence project MANEO about the latest MANEO Report 2022, the significance of the figures and what you can do if you yourself become a victim of queer-hostile aggression.
Federal Government Commissioner for Queer Issues: "I take a clear stance on incitement to violence!"
On 5 January 2022, Sven Lehmann was appointed as the German government's first queer commissioner. Our author Philip Eicker met with him to talk about queer violence, acceptance in the scene and living with HIV.
At the Cologne office of the Bundesinteressenvertretung schwuler Senioren e. V., Jan Bockemühl advises people who want to apply for compensation for convictions under Section 175 (FRG) and Section 151 (GDR). According to estimates, 5000 people are still entitled to this. Our author Jörn Valldorf spoke to him and asked him for all the important information.
People who have been convicted under § 175 (FRG) or § 151 (GDR) have a legal right to compensation. In principle, an informal application is sufficient. However, the deadline for applying for such compensation is coming to an end. Applications can only be submitted to the Federal Office of Justice until 21 July 2022. Klaus S. found out for himself how this works and received a lot of support from BISS, the federal organisation representing the interests of gay senior citizens in Cologne.
At the Berlin CSD 2019, the Russian LGBT network was honoured with a Soul of Stonewall Award. We spoke to activist Tatiana Vinnichenko.
Thilo is the first openly HIV-positive mayor in Germany. The HIV activist was elected mayor of the municipality of Sieversdorf-Hohenofen on Sunday.
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
