Germany

From Trans World Express
Revision as of 22:04, 4 February 2025 by SHUT ooff wrow (talk | contribs) (Added some new content and resources)

Political situation for trans people

Germany is doing pretty ok at the moment. There's a law on self determination, meaning you can choose your gender marker and given names, once a year and after a three months waiting period. However, elections are coming up in February 2025, and the conservative and far right parties look strong in polls. We could end up in a Trump first term kind of situation, bad people in power, but no plan yet how to dash out evil like Trump second term.

Access to trans health care

In Germany, it is compulsory to take out health insurance. A distinction is made between statutory and private health insurance. These are two different systems and you cannot switch between them freely. Both pay for Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). You can get HRT from either endocrinologists or ob/gyns, the latter often being easier to work with. You do need an official diagnosis in most cases (a liability thing), so if you have paperwork with an ICD-10 diagnosis of F64.0, bring that with you, it will make your life easier. If you don't, the usual way to get one is through sessions with a specialized therapists. There are some who will help you out after a single online session, names are available from your local trans peers.

Getting access to surgery has been difficult, but has become especially difficult after a recent court case. Details are out there, for now, don't count on getting any.

DIY hormone therapy is accessible, sellers exist that ship from within the EU (and thus without any customs interfering).

Immigration (work in progress)

The routes are:

Citizenship Pathway

There are two main pathways to obtaining German citizenship as an immigrant, each with specific requirements:

Naturalization

  • Standard Residency Requirement: As of June 27, 2024, the required period of legal residency in Germany has been reduced from eight to five years. Applicants must demonstrate B1 proficiency in the German language, pass a citizenship test, declare allegiance to the German Constitution, prove financial self-sufficiency without state assistance, and have no serious criminal convictions.
  • Accelerated Naturalization: The residency requirement can be further reduced to three years for individuals who have shown exceptional integration efforts, such as demonstrating excellent German language skills or engaging in voluntary work with non-profit organizations.

Citizenship by Marriage

Spouses of German Citizens: Spouses and registered same-sex partners of German citizens can apply for naturalization after three years of residence in Germany, provided they have been married or in the registered partnership for at least two years at the time of application.

Community & Social Support

LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

A lot has changed since then. Germany is one of the ten most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in Europe, and the situation has even improved in recent years. This is documented by the “Rainbow Map” published annually by the organisation Ilga-Europe.

Trans-Friendly Cities (descending in popularity)

  • Berlin: In most travel guides and online forums, the German capital is considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in Europe. Not without reason: the queer identity of the metropolis dates back to the Weimar Republic and is still openly practised today. In addition to the CSD, there are numerous other relevant city and park festivals, parades and demonstrations. The cinemas, bars and clubs, especially around Nollendorfplatz in Berlin's Schöneberg district, invite a wide audience to queer events. The so-called Tuntenhaus, an alternative housing project in Prenzlauer Berg, was saved from being sold to an investor thanks to the efforts of the residents and the borough. Queerness can also be found in local public transport: since the end of 2020, trans voice actress Philippa Jarke has been announcing the individual stops.
  • Cologne (Köln): Cologne is the queer centre of Germany. The best example: the annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) reliably attracts more than 950,000 people to the North Rhine-Westphalian cathedral city. According to a study commissioned by the city in 2019, 10.6 per cent of Cologne residents identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, i.e. as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This figure is also significantly higher than the national average (6.9 per cent). Unlike other cities, Cologne does not have a large club culture. The LGBTQ+ community is older and more established here, and queerness has always existed in the city on the Rhine, which is particularly affecting for the many annual CSD visitors.
  • Hamburg: Hamburg also has a lively LGBTQ+ scene. The St. Georg district is known for its queer bars and clubs. The famous Reeperbahn nightlife area is home to the drag queen Olivia Jones, who is known throughout Germany. The FC. St. Pauli, with its stadium right on the Reeperbahn, has welcomed queer people to the club for years and is constantly fighting for more visibility for the LGBTQ+ community in sport. It's no wonder that many queer people feel at home in the northern German Hanseatic city and drop anchor here.
  • Munich: Around 40 years ago, Munich was a metropolis for the LGBTQ+ community. Even the star and singer of the group Queen Freddy Mercury lived in Munich for a few years and was a regular guest in the bars and discos in the then down-at-heel Glockenbach district. The memory of this time can still be felt in some corners of the city and there are still cultural spaces and offers. But Munich's queer-friendliness is coming under significant pressure from conservative forces in Bavaria. Drag shows are being attacked, gender stars are being banned and former trendy pubs are being closed. However, none of this stops the queer community from organizing a CSD, which is always well attended. For the younger generation, however, Stuttgart in southern Germany has become the LGBTQ+ friendly center.
  • Frankfurt: As a major financial hub, Frankfurt is also known for its inclusive atmosphere, with a variety of LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and events catering to the community.

Support Groups

Bundesverband Trans* e.V.

The Bundesverband Trans* (BVT*) sees itself as an association of individuals, groups, clubs, associations and initiatives at regional, state and national level. The common endeavor is the commitment to gender self-determination and diversity. BVT* is committed to human rights in the sense of respect, recognition, equality, social participation and health of trans* persons and persons not located in the binary gender system.

CSD Deutschland e.V.

CSD Deutschland e.V. sees itself as an umbrella organization of all German Christopher Street Day - organizing associations, initiatives and projects, whose members form a Germany-wide network in which anti-discrimination work for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, transgender, intersexuals and queer people (LSBTIQ*) is a top priority.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V.

The dgti (German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality) is an association representing transgender, intersex and non-binary people. It is well known for issuing an additional ID document for LGBTQ+ persons, the supplemental ID, which has the correct name, gender and pronouns on it. It has been confirmed by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and is printed at the Federal Printing Agency of Germany. It is a document to prevent discrimination by authorities and can help to avoid uncertainty in security screening procedures with governmental bodies such as police, border patrol, and more.

Trans-Ident e.V.

Trans-Ident e.V. is a non-profit association that has set itself the goal of supporting and caring for transident people and their relatives as well as being the association of affiliated self-help groups. The association is closely associated to the German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality (dgti).

Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland

Federation Queer Diversity in Germany (Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland) is the biggest LGBT-NGO in Germany.

Jugendnetzwerk Lambda

Jugendnetzwerk Lambda (Youth Network Lambda) is a nationwide youth association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, trans*, non-binary, inter* and queer youth in Germany. In addition to the generally known offers of youth associations such as national and international youth meetings, camps, youth groups, youth centers and youth education, the offers of the youth network Lambda include in counseling projects.

Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V.

The Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V. or TRAKINE e.V. (Trans Children’s Network) is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender children and their parents, young people, and their families. The organization aims to raise awareness of the needs and rights of transgender children and young people, and to provide them with a safe and supportive environment. They offer a variety of services, including counseling and legal support, as well as resources and information for parents and other caregivers.

TransMann e.V.

Transmann e.V. is a German non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender men. The organization aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for transgender men, and to raise awareness of the needs and rights of this community. They provide a range of services and resources, including counseling, legal support, and information on transitioning-related medical care. They also offer opportunities for socializing, networking, and self-empowerment.

Further resources

This is a list of resources and service providers in Germany: https://trans-resources.info/en/resources/europe/germany


Ideas for additional topics:

Legal Rights & Protections (work in progress)

Anti-Discrimination Laws

  • Legal Protections: Overview of protections for transgender individuals in employment, housing, and public life.
  • Reporting Discrimination: How to report instances of discrimination and seek legal recourse.

Legal Gender Recognition

  • Process Overview: Detailed guide on changing gender markers and names in official documents.
  • Recent Legal Developments: In April 2024, Germany passed a law allowing transgender and non-binary people to modify their legal documents through an administrative procedure based on self-identification.

Workplace Rights

  • Transitioning at Work: Guidance on navigating the workplace during transition.
  • Legal Protections: Information on laws protecting transgender employees.

Housing & Cost of Living (work in progress)

Trans-Friendly Housing

  • Finding Safe Housing: Tips on locating safe and inclusive living spaces.
  • Housing Rights: Information on legal protections against housing discrimination.

Cost of Living

  • Expense Comparison: Comparison of living costs between major U.S. cities and German cities.
  • Budgeting Tips: Advice on managing finances in Germany.

Safety Considerations

  • Regional Safety: Overview of safety for transgender individuals in different regions.
  • Legal Protections: Information on hate crime laws and reporting mechanisms.

Culture & Integration (work in progress)

Cultural Attitudes Toward Trans People

  • Societal Acceptance: Discussion on how acceptance varies across Germany.
  • Historical Context: Brief history of transgender rights in Germany.

Bureaucracy & Paperwork

  • Navigating German Bureaucracy: Tips on handling paperwork and understanding administrative processes.
  • Common Challenges: Overview of potential hurdles and how to overcome them.
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