Sophie Koch, the Federal Queer Commissioner for the SPD, is calling for increased protections and improved rights for queer people across Germany. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post,” Koch stated that “we must create safe spaces for the queer community.”
She also proposed a concrete legislative measure: amending Article 3 of the Basic Law to explicitly include sexual identity within the prohibition of discrimination. While she acknowledged that this change wouldn’t prevent specific criminal acts, she emphasized its defensive value. Koch explained, “It would offer protection should forces come into power again who want to restrict the fundamental rights of queer people. If a prohibition of discrimination clearly named queer people in the Basic Law, such endeavors would be impossible.”
Furthermore, Koch strongly criticized the decision to cut federal funding for Lambda, Germany’s sole nationwide youth organization for the queer community. She described this as “a fatal sign,” asserting that government structures like Lambda need better support.
