"Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so." — Klaus Wowereit
Volker Beck is a German politician who has been a member of the German Parliament with The Greens since 1994. As a homosexual man, he has been active in the emancipation of homosexuals in Germany. He is an avid supporter of same-sex marriage in Germany. In 2001, he played a key role in drafting the civil union bill, which came into effect on August 1, 2001. He was the Chief Whip of The Greens until 2013.
Beck was the chief spokesperson for the LSVD from 1991 to 2004 and has dedicated much of his life to gay activism. More information on Beck can be found on his website. |
Source: Volker Beck
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#EheFürAlle is an initiative that began in May 2015 with the aim to campaign same-sex marriage in Germany. Their goal is to end homophobia in the Federal Republic of Germany and maintain equal rights for all citizens. They are currently partnered with over 60 other groups and organizations, all campaigning for LGBTQ rights.
One of their partners is Das Projekt 100% Mensch, which campaigns equality for all people in Germany regardless of sexual orientation. In 2016, 100% Mensch came together to produce a campaign song for #EheFürAlle called "Ich sage ja" (I Say Yes). More information on #EheFürAlle and 100% Mensch can be found on their websites (in German). |
#EheFürAlle offiziellen Kampagnensong 2016 (by Das Projekt 100% Mensch).
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The Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland (The Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany) is Germany's largest non-governmental LGBTQ rights organization. Formed in 1990 by Eduard Stapel, it became well-known in 1992 after its campaign for same-sex marriage. It has been a key group for homosexual emancipation since Reunification and has included many prominent LGBTQ figures, such as Volker Beck and Rose von Praunheim. It is part of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
More information on the LSVD can be found on their website (in German). |
LSVD Logo. Source: www.lsvd.de
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Klaus Wowereit was the mayor of Berlin from 2001 to 2014. Prior to his election in 2001, Wowereit came out as gay, coining the now famous phrase "Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so" (I am gay, and that's a good thing). Upon his election, he was one of three openly-gay mayors of large European cities, along with Bertrand Delanoë (Paris) and Ole von Beust, both of which were elected in 2001 as well.
Wowereit pushlished an autobiography in 2007 entitled "…und das ist auch gut so" where he speaks of his experience coming out as a gay politician. He also states that he wanted to come out as gay on his own terms, as the German tabloids were already questioning his personal life. He is in a civil union with his partner, Jörn Kunicki. Learn more about Klaus Wowereit: |
Klaus Wowereit, former Berlin mayor, comes out as gay in 2001.
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