Many queers who are interested in politics have not forgotten that Friedrich Merz had repeatedly condescended to the community in the past. And even if the last homophobic statement was made a while ago, it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. One of the reasons for this is that Merz was not afraid to bring homosexuality into the context of child abuse.
The Internet and the community do not forget
In the context of the election to the CDU presidency, it almost seemed as if Merz was holding back a bit with regard to statements against the queer community. There was no longer much talk of "defending the heterosexual family. The politician focused much more on other content in recent weeks.
Back then, about 20 years ago, same-sex marriages, among other things, were still a thorn in his side. He explained that the construct would attack classic families and that it was obviously the plan of the SPD and the Greens to overturn social structures from the ground up.
It is unlikely that Merz has changed his mind just because the issue of same-sex marriage has suddenly become less of a topic. His commitment to speaking out against same-sex marriage was too intense for that.
Shocking statements in interview
The outcry was particularly great when Friedrich Merz declared in an interview in 2020 that the sexual orientation of a person who wants to become chancellor, for example, is none of the public's business.
What was important was that the person concerned was "within the law" and that "it did not affect children. The statements that resonate here between the lines are not justifiable for the queer community and those who identify with it, and at the time caused a veritable shitstorm in the social media.
Merz himself then rowed back a little and complained about having been misunderstood.
Has Friedrich Merz changed his mind?
Granted: 20 years is a long time, but even IF Merz' statement from 2020 had also been expressed "somewhat unfortunate", this would not change the fact that again and again small "details" show how little the politician obviously can identify with LGBTQI+, gender and Co.
Accordingly, his demands for more respect for queers did not help to improve the tarnished image associated with him in terms of dealing with the queer community.
By the way: In order for Friedrich Merz to "officially" become chairman of the CDU, he still needs the confirmation of the federal party conference. This will take place online in mid-January and will then be repeated again by mail. Merz will then officially assume the chairmanship of his party in March.
It was not the first time that the politician had set out to become chairman of the CDU. Already in 2018, he ran for office. In 2021, he failed to prevail against Armin Laschet. Now he seems to have reached an important point in his career. Exactly what impact this will have on the queer community remains to be seen. What is certain is that many people here will be watching and listening very closely.
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