Germany appoints its first-ever Commissioner for sexual and gender diversity
In the fight against gender discrimination, the European country Germany appointed its first-ever LQBTQ+ commissioner. The 42-year-old Sven Lehmann will now head as the commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity.
Sven from the German Greens was appointed by the new government to help Germany “become a pioneer country in the fight against discrimination”, said the government officials. Further said that the plan has been taken under the new coalition government. Germany has faced an election months ago and replacing Angela Merkel, Olaf Scholz became the new chancellor.
The 42-year-old MP will be in charge of preparing a “national action plan” to promote acceptance and protect diversity, according to the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs. “Everyone should be able to live freely, safely, and with equal rights,” Lehmann said after accepting the role. The lawmaker will also be the driving force behind the government’s National Action Plan for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
Germany has the reputation of being progressive on sexual equality, but it allowed same-sex marriages only in 2017. However, there are some laws still in action to discriminate against same-sex couples. In Germany, children born to two women still only have one legal parent. Until the other go through a tough adoption process.
Lehmann said, “The protection of people because of their sexual and gender identity must be guaranteed in the Basic Law.” With this move, the country believes and makes sure that there would be a push for cultural modernization.
Read Also: Germany’s new era begins as Olaf Scholz formally sworn in as German chancellor
The new ministerial delegate position was welcomed by a number of LGBT+ groups in Germany, including the Lesbian and Gay Association(LSVD). Meanwhile, two transgender women, Tessa Ganserer and Nyke Slawik were also elected as MPs in Germany’s most diverse parliament yet after last September’s election.
