Hamburg

Policy

Diversity, open-mindedness, and acceptance – this is what Hamburg stands for! As a forward-looking city in which all people can live freely and self-determined, we aim to actively foster equal opportunities and acceptance for all of our citizens. Therefore, we resolutely oppose discrimination of any kind.

Our objective: Every person in Hamburg should have equal opportunities to accomplish their goals and shape society, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

In times of increasing discrimination against queer people, Hamburg intensifies its joint efforts and supports measures for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity even more strongly and visibly than in previous years.

This is reflected in 2023’s action plan “Hamburg li(e)bt vielfältig” (Hamburg lives/loves diversely), which builds upon earlier strategies for equality and inclusion and focuses on an intersectional perspective on queer realities. The plan was developed in close collaboration with civil society, queer organizations, and community representatives.

The 150 measures of the action plan cover all areas of life and aim to strengthen legal equality, ensure protection from hate and violence, foster equal participation, and promote the empowerment of queer people across the city.

Focus areas and projects (selection)

Promoting, supporting and funding LGBTIQ* projects with an intersectional concept as well as improving the visibility of queer lifestyles in established structures are integral components of our work. Projects include, but are not limited to:

• “Refugee Sisters”: point of contact, counseling and empowerment of queer refugee women as well as trans* and inter* refugees
• “Älter werden unterm Regenbogen” (Ageing under the rainbow): project for the enhancement of queer-sensitive elderly work in senior gatherings
• “WELCOMING OUT”: initiative to promote allyship and raise awareness about the challenging coming out process for queer people
• “Antidiscrimination counseling: read”: personal counseling and support in cases of discrimination as well as legal counseling regarding the General Act on Equal Treatment for queer people
• 4Be InterHilfe: counseling and support for intersex people, their families, and professionals, including peer guidance, advice on bodily or legal questions, and workshops.
• All projects funded by the Authority for Science, Research, and Equality in the field of LGBTIQ+ can be found here.

Collaboration partners (selection)

• Intervention e.V.
• Magnus Hirschfeld Centrum e.V.
• Basis & Woge e.V.
• LSVD Hamburg e.V.
• Aidshilfe Hamburg e.V.
• Member of the Round Table “LSBTI* und Flucht” (LGBTI* and forced migration) and the Round Table “Transgender Norddeutschland” (Transgender Northern Germany)
• Commission LGBTI in sports
• National network of LGBTIQ* representatives (city network)

Please feel free to contact the Equality Authority Hamburg for additional information: lsbtiq@bwfgb.hamburg.de