Beatrix von Storch insulted Tessa Ganserer during a speech. The Green politician received support from all other parties - apart from the AfD. Things suddenly got very emotional in the Bundestag - in many respects.
But what had actually happened?
Beatrix von Storch's insults - homophobic and full of contempt
Among other things, von Storch frequently referred to Tessa Ganserer as a man and refused to address her by her real name. This quickly led to angry interjections from the audience.
In the end, Britta Haßelmann, the head of the Green parliamentary group, also took the floor and expressed how important it was to stand up against such homophobic behavior - even across party lines. The scenario quickly became very emotional and rarely have the members of the different parties - apart from the AfD - seemed to be in such agreement that it simply cannot be tolerated to insult a person in such a way on the basis of their own identity.
Von Storch once again - as often in the past - apparently had problems with the rights of transsexuals. She called their supporters "abolishers of women" and people who would "adhere toagender ideology". Ganserer would dress like a woman, but would still remain a man. Therefore, she says, it is illegal for her to be counted in the women's quota. She does not seem to consider herself "transphobic." This would apparently just be another word for "not stupid".
An emotional riposte by Britta Haßelmann
The counter-speech, given by Britta Haßelmann, was often interrupted by applause. Since democracy prevails in Germany, it is possible for von Storch to express herself in this way. But the whole thing was "deeply inhuman" and "vile". Tessa Ganserer is "one of us". She is one of the women who are part of the women's quota and no one has the right"... To judge or talk about or decide how this woman exercises her right to self-determination."
The AfD politicians seemed little impressed by this. She again used Ganserer's deadname after Haßelmann's speech and again referred to her as a "man".
Despite the emotions running high, Ganserer eventually managed to remain calm and deliver her own speech without commenting on the homophobic attacks.
Sven Lehmann also reacts
Sven Lehmann, the first Queer Commissioner of the Federal Government, underlined in this context once again that trans women are women. He called the words of Beatrix von Storch "misanthropic agitation" and even this agitation would not ensure that the TSG will eventually be abolished.
However, it remains to be seen when this will finally happen. Until now, trans people who want to change their personal status have to undergo a discriminatory procedure, for example, by being questioned in detail about sexual issues and the like. The transsexual law is already several decades old and should - if it goes according to the community and many politicians in the Bundestag - be abolished as soon as possible, so that it is made easier for trans people to stand by themselves and their gender.
The grand coalition, among others, has already committed itself to finally taking action here - even, of course, if such fierce headwinds continue to come from the ranks of the AfD.
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