Journalist Bettina Böttinger, a prominent television moderator, has expressed skepticism towards the queer politics of the current German federal government. In an interview with the German magazine “Stern”, she criticized the government’s stance on queer issues, stating that she is “very critical” of the government’s approach. Böttinger took particular issue with the fact that many current cabinet members voted against same-sex marriage in 2017.
The moderator also targeted Alice Weidel, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, accusing her of living a lie by claiming to be accepted without reservation by her party and voters. Böttinger argued that Weidel’s portrayal of herself as a victim of the AfD’s patriarchal structures is a clever ploy, as the party is able to present two conflicting images of women: the traditional 1950s housewife and the assertive woman.
Böttinger, who is openly lesbian, has personal experience with the consequences of public ridicule. In 1996, comedian Harald Schmidt outed her on his television show without her consent. The incident had a profound impact on her life and she recalled that her father first learned of her sexual orientation from the television broadcast. Böttinger lamented the lack of consideration for the private consequences of such public humiliation, asking how one could not think of the long-term effects on the individual.