On July 1st, the Senate of Berlin adopted an initiative to introduce new legal protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation into the German constitution (Grundgesetz). The proposal was submitted by Social Democrat Cansel Kiziltepe, Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination.
The amendment would affect Article 3 of the Grundgesetz, which currently states that “No one shall be discriminated against or given preferential treatment on grounds of sex, origin, race, language, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or political opinion.” The Socialist senator’s initiative would add the concept of “sexual identity” to this list.
According to Cansel Kiziltepe, Berlin is committed to being the ‘Rainbow Capital’ of Europe’, so they feel full responsibility to work at the federal level to ensure that the Grundgesetz protects LGBT persons. She added that “action against discrimination will provide clear guidelines for policymakers and public administration that can contribute to a better protection of queer people.”
Frank-Christian Hansel, MP of the right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has sharply criticised the proposal. According to Hansel, it is a dangerous diversionary tactic to distract attention from the growing homophobic violence in cities, especially in Berlin, perpetrated by individuals of Islamist and Muslim backgrounds.
The AfD politician stressed that real protection requires the courage to speak the “unpleasant truths” that the Senate is hiding, betraying citizens who trust in the protection of the state.
