Leading German left-wing representatives have urged the federal government to provide better protection for queer individuals, citing the upcoming International Day against Homo-, Bi-, Inter-, and Trans-phobias as the impetus for their demands.
MP Maik Brückner, the spokesperson for Queer Policy, told the “Rheinische Post” that in times when violent incidents and discrimination are increasing, and right-wing extremist groups are stirring up hostility against the queer community, the government must position itself as a protector of these groups.
Brückner launched specific criticisms of current ministers, highlighting that Minister Prien, for example, allegedly pushed through the “Queer Life” action plan in a secretive manner. Furthermore, he warned that Dobrindt’s new reporting regulations threaten transgender individuals with continuous forced outing.
On a broader level, Brückner stated that politicians like Klöckner and his colleagues fail to give the queer community the feeling of having genuine support. He emphasized that given the many pressing ongoing social issues and the increasingly oppressive social mood, the government bears shared responsibility for the failures.
The International Day against Homo-, Bi-, Inter-, and Trans-phobias serves as an annual reminder, held on May 17th, to decisively oppose all forms of discrimination and exclusion based on one’s sexual or gender identity.
