The German government’s Commissioner for LGBTQ+ Affairs, Sophie Koch, is advocating for enhanced constitutional protections for sexual identity. This call comes in response to a Bundesrat initiative originating from the state of Berlin, proposing an amendment to Article 3 of the Basic Law.
Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Koch expressed concern over the rising incidence of attacks, hostility and hate speech targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. She emphasized the urgent need to enshrine their rights within the constitution, describing it as a “historical gap” that requires addressing.
Koch stated her clear objective is to ensure Article 3 of the Basic Law explicitly protects the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. She intends to engage in cross-party discussions with stakeholders at both the federal and state levels in the coming weeks and months to achieve this goal. Early indications from within the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group offer a degree of optimism regarding the prospect of progress.
Berlin’s initiative formally proposes amending Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Basic Law by adding “sexual identity” to the first sentence. A draft law reflecting this proposal was presented to the Bundesrat on Friday. The move seeks to provide a firmer legal foundation for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights within Germany’s fundamental legal framework.
