10 Demands of the Hirschfeld-Eddy Foundation for the 2025 Bundestag Elections
In a world where queer people continue to face discrimination, persecution, and violence, the Hirschfeld-Eddy Foundation calls on the next German government and democratic parties to commit unequivocally to a human rights-based approach in foreign policy and development cooperation. For a long time, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, trans* and intersex people, and other queer individuals (LGBTIQ*) were a criminalized and marginalized minority in Germany. Out of responsibility for its own painful history, Germany must be a strong voice for the enforcement of human rights for LGBTIQ* people.
We are witnessing attacks on democratic structures both nationally and internationally. Minorities, including the LGBTIQ* community, are particularly affected. This makes the upcoming Bundestag election a decisive turning point. It is about defending our democracy. We call on all democratic parties not to be influenced by populism and extremist rhetoric. LGBTIQ* rights are human rights and are not up for negotiation. This applies to national policy as well as to Germany’s global responsibility. That is why Germany must defend and strengthen human rights in its foreign policy and development cooperation.
The Hirschfeld-Eddy Foundation’s Demands in Detail:
1. Support for LGBTIQ* Communities Abroad
At least 0.5% of bilateral state development cooperation funds must be allocated to LGBTIQ*-specific projects. Germany must live up to its human rights responsibilities and role in the world while aligning with other donor countries.
2. Special Envoy for LGBTIQ* Rights
The German government must follow the example of France and the UK by appointing a Special Envoy for LGBTIQ* Rights and Human Rights at the Federal Foreign Office.
3. Commitment to the Equal Rights Coalition
Germany’s commitment within the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) must continue. The ERC aims to strengthen international human rights protections for LGBTIQ* people and to combat violence and discrimination. It must be adequately funded, its structure strengthened, and its sustainability ensured.
4. Closer Cooperation with Civil Society in Partner Countries
Germany must ensure that civil society in partner countries is actively and comprehensively involved in all phases of project funding—before, during, and after implementation. This is essential for making projects effective and sustainable.
- Do-no-harm principle: All measures must be designed according to the do-no-harm principle to prevent unintended negative consequences for queer communities.
- Strengthening local actors: Collaboration with local partner organizations should focus on capacity building and sustainability. Small LGBTIQ* organizations, in particular, need low-threshold and bureaucracy-free access to direct funding to effectively carry out their work.
- Involvement of German NGOs: Domestic organizations must not be excluded from the application process. Their expertise can help local LGBTIQ* organizations apply for funding. Civil society partnerships must be strengthened.
5. Securing the LGBTI Inclusion Plan
The German government’s LGBTI Inclusion Plan for foreign policy and development cooperation must be strategically and financially secured in the long term and anchored within human rights-based foreign and development policies.
- Implementation plan: A concrete implementation plan for the Inclusion Plan must be developed and adequately funded.
- Integration across ministries: The plan should be known across all relevant ministries and established as a cross-cutting responsibility.
- Budget allocation: The government must ensure that sufficient financial resources are available for implementing the measures outlined in the plan.
- Training and awareness: Staff in foreign and development policy must receive comprehensive training on the specific challenges and needs of LGBTIQ* people.
6. Continuation of the “Queer Leben” Action Plan
The LGBTIQ* civil society had long demanded an action plan for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity. The previous government fulfilled this promise, making significant progress in queer policy. Now, the resulting recommendations and action plans must be secured for the long term and integrated across all federal ministries with dedicated financial resources. This also applies to the recommendations of the International Working Group.
7. Reform of BMZ Funding Regulations
Current regulations of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) create significant obstacles for small organizations, especially LGBTIQ* groups.
- Reducing bureaucratic barriers: Requirements for applying for funding and implementing projects, as well as co-financing obligations, must be reformed to improve access for small organizations.
- Access for LGBTIQ* organizations: Many LGBTIQ* organizations in the Global South cannot register due to criminalization and shrinking civic spaces. The BMZ should establish flexible structures to enable support despite these barriers.
8. No Support for Persecution and Stigmatization
Germany must ensure that state-funded development cooperation does not support organizations involved in the persecution or stigmatization of LGBTIQ* people.
- Quality controls: All implementing organizations and recipients of public funds must be thoroughly vetted to ensure compliance with human rights standards.
- Zero tolerance for discrimination: Any collaboration with organizations that pursue anti-queer agendas must be ruled out.
9. Critical Reflection on Missionary and Colonial History
A critical examination of missionary and colonial history is necessary to acknowledge historical responsibilities and promote human rights-based approaches in foreign policy.
- Incorporating historical perspectives: Local history, life stories, and traditions of LGBTIQ* people must be considered essential aspects in the planning and implementation of projects.
- Promoting decolonial approaches: Germany must continue strengthening decolonial and intersectional perspectives within its feminist foreign and development policy.
10. Creation of a Special Fund for Small LGBTIQ* Organizations
A core element of funding must be a fund explicitly dedicated to small, local LGBTIQ* organizations.
- Low-threshold access to funding: These organizations are particularly vulnerable and play a crucial role in local human rights work. The fund should provide them with easy and bureaucratic-free access to financial resources.
- Flexibility: Funding conditions must be adapted to the specific challenges faced by LGBTIQ* organizations in persecutory states.
- Long-term perspective: Support must be structured for the long term to create sustainable change.
- Target group-oriented approaches: Projects must specifically address the needs of LGBTIQ* people, particularly trans* and inter* individuals and lesbian women.
- Added value through cooperation: Involvement of German NGOs can leverage their networks and expertise in international LGBTIQ* human rights work, lower barriers for local organizations, and foster long-term collaborations beyond the scope of direct funding.
These demands must be supported by the parties, anchored in the coalition agreement, and implemented in government action. Only through binding commitments and consistent implementation can Germany assume a responsible and leading role in the international fight for LGBTIQ* rights and sustainably strengthen them.