North Rhine-Westphalia’s Family Minister, Josefine Paul (of the Green Party), has voiced concerns regarding escalating pressure on LGBTQ+ individuals from both right-wing and Islamist groups ahead of Cologne’s Pride parade. In an interview with the “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung”, Minister Paul emphasized that the issues extend beyond the rights of queer people, encompassing broader concerns about diversity and the fundamental principles of the liberal democratic order.
Paul strongly criticized the recent decision by the German Bundestag’s President to prohibit the display of the rainbow flag on the parliamentary building, citing neutrality concerns. She asserted that neutrality is untenable when safeguarding democracy and an open society. “When it comes to protecting democracy and an open society, I am not neutral” she stated, adding that she unequivocally supports human and civil rights, including the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
