2

Thousands of LGBTQ+ activists gathered in 50 cities across Germany in mid-February to protest against rising political hostility. Carrying rainbow flags and holding signs reading “Choose Love,” the rallies were organized just days before a crucial election in which the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is expected to make significant gains. The protests were a demonstration of strength and unity in the face of growing political and social tensions.

Rising Hostility Towards LGBTQ+ Rights

The protests were organized by LGBTQ+ groups and activists who are concerned about the increasing anti-queer and anti-trans rhetoric in Germany. Organizers warned that “many queer people feel unsettled by the current social and political climate.” They emphasized that the rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community is becoming harsher, with liberal democracy itself coming under pressure.

For years, the AfD has been vocal in its opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, including marriage equality, safe community spaces, and access to healthcare and reproductive services. However, the upcoming elections have raised concerns that the situation could get worse. Polls suggest that support for the AfD could double, which would represent a dramatic shift in postwar German politics.

Alva Träbert, a board member of LSVD (Germany’s LGBTQ+ Association) and the Federation Queer Diversity, spoke out against the AfD’s policies. She warned that far-right politicians were openly including anti-queer and anti-trans policies in their campaigns. “They scapegoat marginalized groups for broader social problems, while legitimizing discrimination and hate,” Träbert said.

The AfD’s manifesto has been criticized for its restrictive stance on family structures, defining family as “father, mother, and children” while excluding other types of families. The party also calls for protecting minors from what it terms “the trans cult, early sexualization, and gender ideology.”

Increasing Violence Against LGBTQ+ Community

As the AfD’s support grows, incidents of violence against the LGBTQ+ community have also risen. Activists reported at least 26 violent incidents targeting Pride events last year, highlighting a disturbing trend.

“This trend is heartbreaking but not surprising,” Träbert said. “We’ve seen it before—violence starts with words, and words turn into actions.” Despite the growing fear, the LGBTQ+ community has also witnessed a surge in solidarity, with many people attending Pride events across Germany. New activists are stepping up, and the community is rallying to defend their rights.

Polls show that the conservative CDU/CSU bloc could win around 28% of the vote, with the AfD potentially securing second place. This shift is a major turning point in German politics, and CDU leader Friedrich Merz has already ruled out a coalition with the AfD. However, Merz recently relied on the AfD’s support to pass a border policy resolution, breaking a long-standing political taboo.

Träbert expressed concern over this development, warning that centrist parties might be adopting AfD rhetoric and policies in an attempt to win back voters. “We’re seeing centrist parties trying to win back voters by adopting AfD rhetoric and policies,” she explained.

Both the CDU/CSU and the AfD have pledged to revoke the Self-Determination Act, a law that went into effect in November 2023. The law made it easier for trans, non-binary, and intersex people to update their legal name and gender. “Rolling back this law would be a serious threat to our community,” Träbert said.

Contradictions Within the AfD

One of the most striking contradictions within the AfD is its position on LGBTQ+ rights in relation to its chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel. Weidel, who is a lesbian, is raising two children with her Sri Lankan-born wife. This has led to a paradox within the party, which often makes homophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ statements.

Political scientist Constantin Wurthmann from the University of Mannheim called Weidel a “fig leaf” for the party. “If people call the AfD racist, they point to her non-white partner. If people call the AfD homophobic, they say their top candidate is a lesbian. But Weidel does not share the identity or values of the LGBTQ+ community,” Wurthmann said.

In a past interview, a senior AfD official attempted to justify Weidel’s position by saying, “She is gay by biology, but not by political conviction.” Weidel’s alignment with anti-LGBTQ+ figures, including Elon Musk and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has raised eyebrows. Musk, known for his controversial comments about the “woke mind virus,” has publicly criticized the trans community. Orbán has led a harsh crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, making it increasingly difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to access basic rights like adoption and fertility treatments.

Weidel’s Hypocrisy Exposed in Hungary

During a recent visit to Budapest, Weidel was confronted by Labrisz Lesbian Association, a key organization behind Budapest Pride. In an open letter, the group criticized Weidel for her support of Orbán, who has overseen a campaign to undermine LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary. The letter pointed out the contradiction in Weidel’s actions, writing, “Welcome to a country where lesbians cannot access fertility treatments, cannot adopt children, and if they already have children, only one of them is recognized as a legal parent.”

The association accused Orbán and his allies of ignoring Weidel’s status as a lesbian for political reasons. “For political reasons, Orbán and his allies will conveniently ignore that you are a lesbian. He won’t tell you that you’re unfit to raise children or that you’re corrupting them. And you, in turn, will ignore your own family while smiling for the cameras and shaking his hand,” the letter read.

The letter ended with a pointed question: “Alice Weidel, what message are you sending to Hungarian lesbians?”

The Global Implications of Germany’s Election

The upcoming German elections and the rise of the AfD have implications beyond Germany’s borders. The increasing acceptance of far-right rhetoric in European politics threatens to embolden similar movements in other countries, including Hungary, Poland, and beyond. In these nations, LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly under attack, and the support for far-right leaders is growing.

Germany’s LGBTQ+ community, like many others around the world, is facing a challenging period as political hostility and violence against marginalized groups intensify. The ongoing struggle for equality highlights the need for continued activism and solidarity, both in Germany and across the globe.

For more updates on LGBTQ+ rights and the political landscape in Germany, visit Financial Mirror.