The federal government’s queer commissioner, Sophie Koch (SPD), says there is no need to amend the Self‑Determination Act. Referring to an ongoing review of the law, she told newspapers of the Funke Media Group, “I am very optimistic that the outcome will be: this law was right and important, and it has helped many people”. She already says the Self‑Determination Act will remain in force and is “not merely a bargaining chip”.
Koch argues that attempts by right‑wing activists to undermine the act do not indicate the law’s vulnerability to abuse. “What is evident is that there are individuals who are antisemitic and queer‑phobic and want to attack the law” she explained to the Funke papers. She is frustrated that isolated cases are used to question the entire legislation, adding that just because some people evade taxes “does not mean we should scrap the taxes”. When members of the political right attack the act, Koch calls for calm and measured political responses rather than panic.