Sven Lehmann calls for more protection for homosexual minorities in the Basic Law
Sven Lehmann has not been in office long, but is already actively campaigning for the rights of homosexual people to be included even more in the Basic Law in the future. He criticizes, for example, that the prohibition of discrimination, which relates to the area of sexuality, has not yet been anchored.
During his visit to the ZDF-Morgenmagazin, the queer representative clarified the current problems in Germany and made it clear to the viewers that some things have to change here. He found clear words for this and also explicitly referred to the danger posed by neo-Nazis.
Which aspects are particularly important to Sven Lehmann and what does he criticize?
First and foremost, Lehmann criticized the fact that there is no prohibition of discrimination in the Basic Law for people who have a different sexual orientation from the "norm". He explained in conversation with the moderator that homosexual people are a group of people who were persecuted by the Nazis at the time, but who do not enjoy protected status.
The Queer Commissioner would consider it a big step if this addition were finally added to the Basic Law. But he himself also says that many more measures are needed so that everyone in Germany can enjoy the same rights and no one is affected by discrimination. But what exactly could these measures be?
A classic example, which has also been discussed again and again in the media and on social networks recently: homosexual couples are still disadvantaged with regard to the law of parentage.
One of the consequences of this is that in the case of a lesbian couple, only one woman is considered the mother and her partner "only" adopts the children. In addition to the fact that this is a clear form of discrimination, there is also the problem that if something were to happen to the registered, biological mother, the children would automatically be transferred to the care of the youth welfare office. The "second mother" would accordingly be excluded. Such regulations lead to confusion in practice... especially for the children concerned. Accordingly, there are still major construction sites at this point.
In addition, Sven Lehmann criticizes, or rather the queer commissioner wonders, whether every person who feels they belong to the opposite sex actually has to undergo a psychological assessment. He also sees this as a clear form of discrimination, which has already been abolished in other countries.
One of the main demands: Sexual freedom of choice from the age of 14
Lehmann wants young people to be able to decide for themselves from the age of 14 which gender they would like to have registered. It should not be a question of whether the young person wants to undergo gender reassignment surgery or not, but simply the gender on the ID card.
The politician is sure that exactly this would lead to an important extension of the youth right and in this way affected young people would be granted more rights and be heard more.
Following the broadcast, there was also discussion on social networks about what had been said. There was a lot of support, especially from the community. However, there were also some critical voices. Some viewers complained that a lot was always demanded, although the LGBTQI+ "already had so many rights". However, a look at the paper, including the Basic Law, shows that this is obviously not the case. And this is exactly what Sven Lehmann will be working on in the coming years.
Did you know? "Love who you want" is increasingly criticized