Germany gives proudly queer MP crucial government role defending LGBT+ rights and fighting hate

Germany has appointed Sven Lehmann its first-ever commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity.

Green Party politician, Sven Lehmann, will be overseeing a national LGBT+ strategy in his new position, which he took up on Wednesday (5 January).

Lehmann has been a member of the Bundestag, the German parliament, since 2017. Alongside fellow lawmaker, Ulle Schauws, he spent three years from 2018 as spokesperson for queer policy and social policy within the Greens.

Accepting his appointment, he asserted that “everyone should be able to live freely, safely, and with equal rights”. He also stated that the country “need[s] a broad strategy to combat hatred directed at groups — which explicitly includes ‘queerphobia’.”

As federal government commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity, the role’s official title,  Lehmann will work with different government ministries on policy projects which affect the LGBT+ community, as well as leading on the government’s National Action Plan for Sexual and Gender Diversity.

During the announcement of his appointment, Lehmann stated that the protection of all people, regardless of gender or sexuality, “must be ensured” according to the German constitution.

Trans rights are Human rights 🏳️‍⚧️💕✨

We will introduce a law for securing fundamental rights for trans people by providing self-determined access to legal gender recognition.

This is a great step.

Not only for trans people living in Germany.

But also a signal to Europe.

— Terry Reintke (@TerryReintke) November 24, 2021

The country’s current government, only a month-old, is currently made up of a coalition between the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the neo-liberal Free Democrats (FDP). Their action plan for inclusion and diversity was included within the coalition deal on the basis that “Germany should become a pioneer in the fight against discrimination”.

The new government’s plan includes extensive reforms for laws regarding trans people, ensuring that they can determine their own gender, as well as ensuring that statutory health insurance would cover all costs of medical care related to transition. 

As things currently stand, trans people are expected to go to court to have their legal gender amended. A spousal veto is also allowed, after which the trans person must wait three years before applying again to change their legal gender. They must also be evaluated by medical experts, and have lived as an openly trans person for at least three years.