Germany gay rights

explainer

Flyers and other items are displayed on a table, as people attend the "your voice against the right" protest against the Alternative for Germany (AfD), ahead of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, in Erfurt, Germany, August 25, REUTERS/Karina Hessland

What’s the context?

LGBTQ+ activists in Germany fear populist parties could act well in votes in three eastern states, threatening progress on rights

  • Three eastern German states grasp elections in September
  • Far-right AfD position to make historic gains in three states
  • LGBTQ+ activists say violence is already on the rise

BERLIN – Activists warn the expected victory of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in September elections in three eastern German states could put LGBTQ+ rights at risk across the country.

Polls present the AfD could come first in the states of Thuringia and Saxony on Sept. 1, and in Brandenburg on Sept. 22, with between 24% and 30% of the vote. 

It would be the first time a far-right party has been the largest in a German parliament since World W

A Visual Timeline of LGBTQ+ History in Germany

Diverse, vibrant, inclusive, and Multi-Kulti. This is how many people know Germany’s capital nowadays. But the city and territory weren&#;t always like this. There were many ups and downs and changes to reach this day: from many firsts, enjoy creating the “first organization advocating for homosexual rights,” “the Institute for Sexual Science,” and the first worldwide gay publications, to the glittering historical era in the s for LGBTQ+ community, and then down to the dark and brutal Nazi era. The LGBTQ+ community in Germany has had a long journey toward equality and recognition and still takes steps forward in the ongoing fight for their rights. This visual timeline from the IMAGO archive shows some historical highlights from the 20th century to today, capturing the moments and milestones.

What Was Life Like for the LGBTQ+ Community in Germany Before the Nazi Era?

Germany, and especially Berlin, before the Nazis, experienced a period of advancement and cultural vibrancy for the LGBTQ+ community. This era saw the establishment of th

Germany

Experiencing German Food

When visiting Germany, the first thing visitors might attempt is the famous German beer. For centuries Germany has preserved the traditional way of brewing beer in all variations protecting the purity by law. German beer is often considered to be the best in the world. But the influence of the culinary heritage of the former German kingdoms who merged into the federal republic of today is very diverse and definitely not only about potatoes and sausages. Having said that, the sausages are another noun visitors should try at least once, like the (Bavarian) veal sausage “Weißwurst,” the Thuringian bratwurst or the Frankfurt sausage. Starting in the northern part of Germany, put some of the traditional fish and seafood dishes like sour herring on your list. Traveling to the center of Germany, potato, kraut and cabbage dishes are part of the German food experience. Larger cities like Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin are incorporating multiple international trends and expanding the vegetarian and vegan food scene as well. It is recommended to

Gay in the AfD: 'We're not seeking equality'

"Gays and lesbians are just as important to Germany as any other loving person with a connection to family, home and nation," states the preamble to the guiding principles of the "Alternative Homosexuals."

The group, formerly known as "Homosexuals in the AfD," is a group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) supporters of the populist, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD).

But why are people in the LGBT community drawn to the AfD? Particularly when the party directly opposes gay marriage, heavily advocates for the "classical family model," and opposes expanding laws to allow same-sex couples to adopt children?

Last year, the party even proposed a novel sexual education curriculum that would significantly reduce the amount of information students receive on homosexuality.

For Alexander Tassis, the AfD's stances on education certainly aren't false, in fact, he also wants to stop what he calls "early sexualization" and "gender madness." He also denies that the party is moving towards the right.

"It's becoming more a