LGBTQI+ action plan aims to improve the situation for queers in Dortmund
Even though the situation of queers has continued to improve over time, it is still not possible to speak of full equality in many areas. Now, further steps in the direction of a more tolerant society are to be tackled.
The Dortmund City Council recently decided to work on an action plan. Among other things, not only the administration but also the community is to be involved in this.
The focus of the action is on the areas of equality and tolerance. The action plan is also supported by politicians, among others. Thus, the CDU and The Greens made a strong case to stand up more for the rights of queers in Dortmund in the future.
First steps - what's going wrong?
Admittedly, "action plan" sounds very vague at first. After all, there are - especially in connection with the situation of queers - many possibilities to start in order to provide for more equality and tolerance.
Therefore, one of the first items on the to-do list is to start looking for disadvantages. Accordingly, those responsible are addressing questions such as "Inwhich areas are queers - especially in Dortmund - still disadvantaged today?" and "What can be done to counteract this?".
What challenges does the queer community face in Dortmund and elsewhere?
Anyone who talks to queers - not only in Dortmund - often gets a detailed impression of the problems that are brought into focus almost every day. Even if a lot has already been done in the area of equal rights, for example in connection with marriage for all, there are still quite a few "construction sites" that show again and again that the community is far from being equal with the rest of society.
In addition, many queers are exposed to numerous verbal (and sometimes physical) attacks in everyday life.
Whether it's insults or the destruction of memorials intended to commemorate gay victims during the Nazi regime, for example, many members of the community never tire of emphasizing how important it is for the rest of society not to look the other way - not just in Dortmund, of course, but around the world.
Furthermore, it is expressed again and again - also in the social networks - that it is essential that a rethinking takes place in people's minds. For example, there are still adults (and children!) for whom it has become completely normal to use "gay" as a swear word. This makes it all the more important to focus on educational work and also to keep pointing those affected to counseling centers that can help them in an emergency.
The action plan comes at the right time
There are now many studies on how people's everyday lives changed during the Corona crisis. Among other things, there is always talk of psychological stress in this context. Queers are no exception. On the contrary!
During the Corona pandemic, one of the things that suffered was the accessibility of counseling centers. As a result, many people felt left alone with their problems and did not know where to turn. Fortunately, however, it now appears that these services - especially on-site and in person - can be used more flexibly again.
However, the fact that the pandemic has already left its mark can certainly not be denied. Maybe this is where the new LGBTQI+ action plan comes in? Either way: since many people can already identify with the efforts for more equal rights for LGBTQI+ people, it can be assumed that the influences for solution approaches will come from the most diverse areas and will (hopefully) be effective. The Dortmund scene should be pleased.
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