German Government’s Queer Commissioner Sven Lehmann (Greens) has sharply criticized the plans of CDU and CSU to repeal the recently enacted self-determination law. “I warn strongly against making an election campaign on the back of transgender people” Lehmann told the news portal “Watson” on Wednesday. The proposal is a “slap in the face of the queer community.”
Lehmann pointed out that the self-determination law strengthens fundamental rights such as the free development of personality, respect for privacy, and non-discrimination. “Transgender people have been waiting for this law for decades. I receive incredibly moving messages from transgender people every day, saying they finally feel recognized and equal for the first time” he explained. Their protection and support are essential, not least for young people. Even the Child Protection Association explicitly supported the law.
Lehmann criticized the Union’s plans to force transgender people to undergo psychiatric evaluations again and to exclude them from violence protection measures, saying, “The Union can take a slice off its solidarity with transgender people, as shown by women’s organizations.”
He also sharply criticized the Union’s further plans, such as a ban on gender stars. “This shows who is the speech police here and who wants to dictate how to speak and write to others. Gender diversity is a societal reality” the Commissioner said. This diversity must be made visible.
At the same time, Lehmann again advocated for amending Article 3, Section 3 of the German Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual identity. This initiative is now receiving broad support, including from the Child Protection Association and the Central Committee of German Catholics. “In the face of the societal regression, it is crucial to protect LGBTQ people explicitly through the Constitution” Lehmann said. Even prominent CDU politicians like Hendrik Wüst and Kai Wegner have expressed support for such an amendment. LGBTQ or similar abbreviations serve as a collective term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer people.