Berlin to become safer for queer people

The Berlin Senate plans to introduce a package of measures to better protect queer people. (File photo)

Queer people should feel safer in Berlin again. To this end, the Senate has adopted a "Berlin State Strategy for Queer Safety and Against Queerphobia". The document, which runs to more than 50 pages, sets out numerous ideas and measures. 

According to the Senate Department for Diversity, this includes providing better protection for queer people in places that have previously been dangerous for them. These include parks or certain meeting places where – one idea suggests – emergency telephone boxes could be installed. The strategy also includes improved security measures for major events and smaller gatherings, as well as raising awareness of the issue amongst police and security staff.

Local contact points and the specialist unit combating online anti-LGBTQ+ hate

A specialist unit to tackle online queerphobia is to be set up. Plans are in place to establish contact points in every district to protect against discrimination, offering a wide range of services. Gender-neutral showers and toilets are to be included in the design of new school buildings. According to the responsible Senator, Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), Berlin is the first federal state to adopt such a comprehensive strategy. More than 400 people contributed to a broad participatory process. The background to this is the recent sharp rise in anti-queer crimes and related violent offences. The document cites a figure of 588 incidents in 2023, including 127 violent offences.

Protecting diversity in Berlin

"With today’s decision, we are sending a clear message. The city-wide strategy for queer safety and against queerphobia permanently enshrines protection and safety for queer people in Berlin," explained Kiziltepe, the Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination. This will strengthen Berlin as a city that thrives on precisely this diversity. "Berlin should become noticeably safer and remain a city worth living in for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people." Berlin’s Queer Commissioner, Alfonso Pantisano, expressed a similar view: "With the state strategy, we are protecting the rights and everyday lives of queer people in a more targeted way – and thereby always our democracy as well."