In October 2025, Heidelberg launched the first “Rainbow City Heidelberg Lecture” with speaker Prof. Sabine Hark (TU Berlin) in the Old Auditorium of Heidelberg University. The lecture also marked the start of the new Gender & Queer Studies Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) – developed jointly by the city and the university. The CAS combines academic expertise with practice-oriented modules and internships provided by the City’s Office of Equal Opportunities. This strong cooperation makes gender and queer research visible, connects academia and society, and underlines Heidelberg’s role as a Rainbow City fostering diversity.

City Profile: Heidelberg