LGBTQI+ Germany: Pride And Being Queer In Germany | Meet the Germans

What's it like to be gay, transgender or non-binary in Germany? For this week's Meet the Germans, Rachel flies the rainbow flag and looks at queer history, LGBTQI+ rights and "Christopher Street Day" (aka Pride) in Germany.
Rachel moved from the UK to Germany in 2016. As a relative newcomer she casts a fresh eye over German clichés and shares her experiences of settling into German life. Every two weeks she explores a new topic - from unusual bans to meaty cuisine or haunted castles. This week: LGBTQI+ life and Pride in Germany.
Where and how are you celebrating Pride this year?
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Watch more Meet the Germans videos here: bit.ly/MtG_KZbinPlaylist
#MeettheGermans #Pride
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[@jega6810]

True germans don't mind sexuality or gender things, because those don't affect the efficiency of someone's work

[@jennyh4025]

And the homophobic ones try to ignore their „fear“, because the co-workers, who are not heterosexual or diverse, are too good at their job.

[@arnoackermann6584]

That is so true

[@entesusauer6937]

Are you German?

[@jega6810]

@@entesusauer6937 Yep

[@entesusauer6937]

@@jega6810 Ich auch

[@mpmyprojects6687]

Frage mich immer noch und immer wieder, warum Menschen anscheinend "Angst" vor Mitmenschen haben, die sich der LBTGI+ zugehörig fühlen und so sind wie sie sind. Wäre so viel einfacher, andere Menschen so friedlich und unbelastet zu behandeln, wie man selbst friedlich und unbelastet behandelt werden will *träum*.

[@kilsestoffel3690]

Angst und Unverständnis. Es könnte ja doch ansteckend sein (ich weiß aus Erfahrung: ist es nicht, sowohl mein Bruder als auch ich sind hetero. Obwohl...

[@iche9373]

Das nennt man Xenophobie gepaart mit Homophobie.

[@thurianwanderer]

Kilse und Ichel haben bereits zwei genannt, es gibt jedoch einen weiteren: Wenn du ständig die Anspannung zu spüren bekommst, für das falsche Wort - vermeintlich amoralisch, vermeintlich unethisch eingestuft - sozial exkludiert/ausgesondert zu werden, trotz mitmenschlichem Wohlwollen. Insbesondere mit pathologischer Angststörung (ÄVPS) zu gefährlich, so lebt es sich in respektabler Distanz sicherer!

[@danielamaus]

Cis-Het-Männer haben Angst, dass schwule Männer sie genau so respektlos und übergriffig behandeln könnten, wie sie selbst Frauen behandeln.

[@Jonas-qg6jw]

@@danielamaus als cis-het Mann fühle ich mich von dieser Aussage auf mehreren Ebenen verletzt.

[@Kartoffelsack]

I'm a gay german and nobody said something homophobic to me ever and I'm very happy for that

[@appleslover]

I wish that was the case here too in Turkey, we are so close yet so far to reach European standards, I only hope that after university I could immigrate, but it'd have been nice if I was who I'm with my family and in my community instead of trying to adapt to a total different one huh 😞

[@jefflarin3774]

@@appleslover same here in Syria 💔❤

[@unamusedcaveman9235]

@@appleslover LGBTQ ideology is being systematically taught to young people all the way from kindergarten. This is why we see LGBTQ getting bigger with increasingly younger people. It's not a coincidence. You're not born LGBTQ, you learn it.

[@appleslover]

@@jefflarin3774 عايش/ة بسوريا؟

[@jefflarin3774]

@@appleslover ايه عايش هون للاسف💔

[@doreenbrandt3697]

Rachel and colleagues, I hope you don't read the comments on this one since they're already filling up with so much unpleasantness (paradoxically claiming that homophobia is totally over), but if you do: Great job as always! Empathetic, positive and nuanced. I especially appreciated the diversity of your interview sample (gender, identity, age and opinionwise)

[@RachelStewart04]

Thanks Doreen! We always read the comments 😋

[@kushal4956]

obviously homophobia is not completely over but it has been erased to a large extent especially in major cities. I don't see the point in organizing pride in the trendiest parts of NYC, London, SF, Berlin, LA etc. where pretty much everyone is accepting. at this point, it's not even a protest. it's just a celebration n there's nothing wrong with celebrating after all the struggles people have endured to get the right they have today but I think it's more important to organize pride in the form of a protest in countries where even sodomy is still considered illegal. we shud donate to lgbt organisations in those countries instead of mindlessly marching in the hippest areas of these very liberal cities

[@anshulpatel6232]

@@kushal4956 Pride is celebration. And if people feel empowered in having pride parades then you are no one to say they can't.

[@_o..o_1871]

@@kushal4956 You’d be surprised to see how the places you named are still rooted in discrimination.

[@cliffemall0404]

@@_o..o_1871 You see discrimination, hate, racism and etc. in everything that's why it well never go away for you

[@peterwhitehead2453]

Good for you Rachel for supporting LGBTQI+ & for bringing it to Meet the Germans. Nice episode with some interestingly diverse perspectives from people on the streets. 👏

[@RachelStewart04]

Thanks Peter! 🏳️‍🌈

[@tomendruweit9386]

What is LGBTQI I swear every time I look at LGBT it gets bigger

[@juanindojorgijanad782]

Merci, Pierre ! 🇮🇩❤️🇩🇪🏳️‍🌈

[@_o..o_1871]

@@shubhamtholiya6727 May I ask you the same question?

[@_o..o_1871]

@@night6724 So expressing as you truly feel on the inside is self mutilation??? Hate makes you guys so dumb.

[@Anonymous99816]

Very informative, thank you. Love from England.

[@jefflarin3774]

As a gay man from Syria (and yes my username is fake) I wish a bright and beautiful future for gays in Germany Happy pride month💜💙💚💛🧡🏳️‍🌈

[@appleslover]

عايش/ة بسورية؟

[@Doridantoni]

To you too! I hope that one day in the not too distant future every person of the LGBT+ community can live their life openly and without fear worldwide!

[@jefflarin3774]

@@appleslover ايه عايش بسوريا للاسف😂💔😢

[@jefflarin3774]

@@Doridantoni thank you for your kind wishes ❤️❤️❤️☺️☺️

[@cheems2992]

So ur gonna get burn? Cuz ur gay in syria?

[@christat5336]

German people remember your heritage

[@dweuromaxx]

@chris tat We certainly do. In our history, queer people were humiliated and persecuted and this must never be repeated.

[@christat5336]

@@dweuromaxx funny stuff should never be taken seriously..like the lgbd clan...

[@christat5336]

@übel it's an German channel?i didn't know that..i was putting random comments..all around...i had a thought and i just type it..

[@azwadahsan8549]

Slavery was a part of American heritage But that serves no justification to start it again in USA right?

[@christat5336]

@@azwadahsan8549 we are all slaves man... modern type ones...

[@bkk53]

I can relate to this specially donating blood…I remember years ago (15 years) I went to donate blood and when the nurse asked me if I was gay or straight and I told her I was gay she told me…WE DONT TAKE YOUR PEOPLE HERE….I was devastated and to this day I still remember that day…I am so glad things are changing….GREAT DOCUMENTARY…DANKE🥰🥰🇵🇷🇵🇷🌈🌈

[@lokiiago_x0x]

This is so amazing! x0x

[@kevinluong1018]

Hey Rachel! Danke dass du ein Video bezüglich LGBTIQ+ in Deutschland gemacht hast! Wie du sagtest ist Aufklärung und Visibility wichtig, umso mehr hat es mich vom Hocker gehauen dass meet the germans etwas in der Hinsicht kreiert hat😊ich gehöre auch zur queeren Gruppe an und ich habe noch paar Schwierigkeiten den Anschluss zu anderen aus der Community zu bekommen da ich dies vielen Menschen unter anderem meiner Familie geheim halte und ich erst mich spät damit abgefunden hab ich hoffe mal dass es sich in naher Zukunft ändern wird aber zu wissen dass wir nicht vergessen werden und dass sich viele Menschen sich dafür einsetzen erfüllt mich mit Hoffnung! Danke vielmals Rachel und das Meet the Germans Team👍😊solche Videos helfen mir und viele andere Menschen auch wenn es vllt zuerst noch nicht so scheint

[@RachelStewart04]

Danke Kevin, das freut mich zu lesen! Ich hoffe sehr, dass es für dich besser wird und, dass du offen leben kannst 💜

[@quinntessential._]

Hey! I just wanted to comment because I thought it was cool that we have almost the same names!!

[@spiritsswerve]

schäm dich

[@robbyt6336]

Wenn unsere Großeltern aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg wüssten, was heute passiert, würden sie sich in ihren Gräbern umdrehen...

[@floriannn1596]

​@@spiritsswerve halt die Klappe

[@skanwar1351]

I heard every single word you said & it's informative, thank you for the video.

[@nazarottto]

The comment section over here seem to be much nicer than the one in the DW Deutsch video.

[@gaysissyboy111]

"I'm gay and that's a good thing" i freaking love that quote, me as a Gay guy.

[@spiritsswerve]

Shame on you

[@gaysissyboy111]

@@spiritsswervei'm not ashamed and don't care, mind you're own life

[@the_bathroom]

@@gaysissyboy111 mind your gay grammar

[@Tentacoool]

​@@gaysissyboy111 well explains your name also be happy and don't care what others say! lol

[@tunahancavusoglu978]

Just as being straight is not a good thing worth mentioning, neither being a gay.

[@AngelicaSummer]

Rachel, I always loved you and Meet the Germans, but now I love you even more!

[@Victoria-qb3dr]

Keep up the good work Rachel! 👍🏻 It’s nice to see a fellow English woman that is passionate about learning German and the German culture 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️🇩🇪

[@spiritsswerve]

Keep lying. We all know that this is about the ****** lgbtq stuff, instead of german culture.

[@HelgeV.]

Guter Bericht ;-) Und ich find den Fritz Encke Park auch sehr cool!

[@DerekWilliamsMusic]

Thanks for this report!

[@alexanderharryraymond5710]

Hello handsome man

[@lisari6246]

I do not know when you filmed this, but the blood donor issue for gay men has been addressed a couple of weeks ago. As fa as I know the rules for them are getting closer to the ones for everybody else. We are making progress :)

[@seanmegan1278]

This was excellent and heartwarming. Wonderful job. I can't believe you did this. Much appreciated. Thank you ❤

[@RachelStewart04]

Glad you enjoyed it! Any surprises in there for you?

[@seanmegan1278]

@@RachelStewart04 Not really. I just moved away from Cologne after 6 years 😇 my feeling is that things are getting worse though, in the World and in Germany, and i am happy you used your voice for this purpose. Take care of yourself.

[@Baccatube79]

Rachel found two Franconians for her interviews - Happy Pride! Thanks for the great video!

[@ericderami]

Fabulous!!! Another Great video Rachel!! American Ally here living in Hannover!!! Much love and support!!

[@merthanoglu4956]

When is the new episode? We missed youuuuu :((((

[@trustmeiamgerman8249]

Merkwürdig. Nur zustimmende Kommentare. Keine Kritik. Es lebe die Zensur, um Stimmung und Meinungen für etwas zu erschaffen.

[@johnedward9948]

Dieser Müll nimmt überhand

[@maluigi2685]

Weil man sich hier für Menschenrechte einsetzt?

[@MichealjamesRooff]

​@@maluigi2685no they are committed to their extinction

[@deandage2703]

Komischetweise fallen viele der "Kritiken" unter solchen Videos unter KZbin's "hate speech" policy 😮 Frage mich, ob es einen Zusammenhang zwischen Kritik an der LGBTQ und Homophobie gibt...

[@captainhook1764]

Der letzte Satz war wunderschön, den merke ich mir

[@roshanantony64]

In your earlier video, you mentioned that the people working under church affiliated institutions like hospitals or schools, would be kicked out if they came out as gay. Is this still in force or has it been relaxed? Further, does Germany have any law that bans firing people due to their identity (like how Canada has)?

[@nurichniemandsonst9639]

We do have anti-discrimination-laws, but churches get exceptions to normal employment laws. I think the protestant and some catholic places wouldn't care much if you're gay - just maybe don't lobby while at work. Catholic places could definitely fire you over it, though.. people have also been fired for divorcing, for example.

[@roshanantony64]

@@nurichniemandsonst9639 thanks for your view. I'm wondering why such exemptions for the church are tolerated, since not many young Germans are religious. Also next door neighbor France has been strict on separation of religion from state, which is imo a good policy.

[@nurichniemandsonst9639]

@@roshanantony64 Eh. We have a loooot of 'that's how it's always been' things that are anachronistic by now. It's what you get when you are reigned by conservatives for most of your history. Funnily enough, I think it's more likely the churches themselves will change that than that the state tries to.

[@dirkspatz3692]

@@nurichniemandsonst9639 Old contracts (Third Empire, Weimar Republic, the Second Empire and older) with the churches that the successor Country (Germany) has to fulfill

[@BiancaSaphira]

Can you do a video explaining the different types of schools and its educational system in Germany? I still have problems explaining everything to foreigners 😊😅

[@spiritsswerve]

gymnasium the best one. that is all to know

[@untitledkingdom]

When is the next video coming? :(

[@tadeoguerrero7892]

I'm actually surprised that we have advanced laws about it here in Argentina. 🇦🇷🤔 Changing your name and gender is easy and free, marriage is legal since 2010 and few days ago the "trans job vacancy" was approved, guaranteeing job opportunities for trans people. It doesn't mean there is no homophobia, there is, a lot. As a gay person who grew up in the countryside I can tell. EDIT: Now we officially approved the non-binary gender on IDs.

[@RachelStewart04]

Yes Germany really was pretty late in making many decisions, e.g. same-sex marriage - and there's still a long way to go. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@faultier1158]

The way to marriage equality was done in many steps in Germany. Homosexual people could form live partnerships that then got more and more rights through constitutional court rulings over the years. But the law for full marriage equality (mostly about adoption rights and the term "marriage") got passed pretty late. Sadly, we've had a conservative party in charge for the last 16 years that has blocked most meaningful progress. As soon as we get a government coalition without that party, there *will* be progress again.

[@inotoni6148]

Yes, unfortunately that also comes from the story that was also shown in the video. In the 1920s, Berlin was one of the most open cities in the world. Maybe even the most open. But then the Nazis came and the great tragedy began. The war ended in 1945, but what many don't know is that the Nazis were still there. The same people were still sitting and making decisions in the authorities and the police. Often in politics too. That only changed with the 1968 movement. Another reason is that in the past 39 years, 32 years have ruled the Conservatives (the Christian Democrats, CDU). With this party it is of course difficult to define progressive laws. There are elections in Germany in September and if the Greens won, the laws would change pretty quickly. The CDU has already started an ugly campaign against the leader of the Greens (Trump tactics) and now the CDU is back in front.

[@dnocturn84]

@@inotoni6148 While I have to agree to some parts of your statement I do have to disagree with your political opinion. All major law corrections happened under CDU rule, even though they are conservative. When greens and SPD were in power, both of them did actually nothing for LGBTQI+. It's quite ammusing that green party followers just immediately connect greens with beeing progressive. Which they aren't. Baden Würtemberg is one of the most conservative states in Germany and it's ruled by greens for decades. And a changing force for German politics doesn't neccessarly have to come from the federal government. Each individual state does also play a major role and can influence German ploitics as a whole too. Which is propably why it all happened under CDU rule to begin with.

[@unamusedcaveman9235]

@@RachelStewart04 LGBTQ ideology is being systematically taught to young people all the way from kindergarten. This is why we see LGBTQ getting bigger with increasingly younger people. It's not a coincidence. You're not born LGBTQ, you learn it.

[@itslikerufus]

amazing and thoughtful video as always!

[@kurtiii]

Yaaay endlich wieder Meet the Germans ^^

[@puchokoffie8152]

Gaymany

[@ordafles5360]

So many

[@rotapander]

1:25 Timo Werner :D

[@tomendruweit9386]

Dont forget Friedrich the Great of Prussia, the very gay prussian king

[@brindade2004]

And also there was King Ludwig of Bavaria who commissioned the Neuschwanstein Castle.

[@aleatoirefrancais]

and his little blue boys (soldiers)

[@k.k.8394]

He could have been gay perhaps, but there is no conclusive historical evidence regarding his sexual preferences, he might as well have been pretty asexual. Voltaire alluded to it in some letters, but he also had a score to settle.

[@tomendruweit9386]

@@k.k.8394 he was very much gay, sure he never explicitly wrote that he was gay but that was cause terms like gay where not a thing. He wrote love letters to dudes and reportedly fucked with his personal guard

[@k.k.8394]

@@tomendruweit9386 'Reportedly' ... by whom? He had a disease (deformity) which made sex most likely impossible. It's all speculation.

[@danielsykes7558]

Such an amazing and open piece. 😍

[@AB-gw6uf]

Could I ask what happened to Rachel and Meet the Germans? I don't see a video for more than 3 months so was curious, apologies if the series is on a break

[@dweuromaxx]

Hey, Rachel and "Meet the Germans" were on a summer break. There is going to be a live stream with Rachel this Wednesday at 5pm CEST with updates on coming videos! ---> kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3fQkGOQht9kjZI

[@AB-gw6uf]

@@dweuromaxx thank you for the reply! Was wondering as to whether the series had been discontinued, very glad to see it hasn't. Honestly one of the most entertaining and informative insights into German culture on YT I've seen

[@monisha1080p]

3:14 Tbh, I've always hated the term "others" along with male or female. It's amazing here that they use the word "Diverse" ❤️

[@untergehermuc]

I don’t get why they haven’t used the word „inter“…

[@Dark__Thoughts]

Couldn't you use "divers / diverse" too? As far as I can tell it has the same meaning.

[@maksimnikiforovski2034]

I am on a binge with Rachel! Does anybody also know Florence Villeminot? She does similar videos for France. It is amazing! :)

[@gloryikuku8621]

Nick names or pet names are not common in Nigeria or African cultures. We just simply call our spouses by the language names for husband, di, and oyom in Igbo in Igbo, father, mai gida, in hausa and my wife, iyawo mi, my husband, oko mi, in Yoruba. For married people with children, the husband or wife simply calls the man or woman by the name of their first son or daughter.

[@dodojesuswg3089]

Tbh, I just watch this video to hear her voice and her brilliant English 😂

[@yellowtoad6803]

Thank you for this documentary and also about talking about some law issues with transitioning. I've recently seen an update on the struggle on british trans women to transition but never got an insight for the situation in germany (on a platform like KZbin). So this is much appreciated and we need more, thank you! :)

[@therealdeal1338]

It's interesting! When it comes to topics like this Germany always seems to lack after policy wice. As a swede they always feel 10 years behind in many ways. My impressions are that the people in Germany are far more progressive than the politicians ruling the country.

[@zorro315754442]

That's by far inapplicable. In fact the majority of the population isn't asked or considered when it comes to political decisions. As it doesn't concern the majority, this majority doesn't complain about most of those decissions. The truth is there is a very small group of people (probably

[@Dark__Thoughts]

Not too surprising, when most people who vote, which are especially people over 50, are voting for the conservative parties, which rule over the country for decades with only some exceptions here and there. Especially the Merkel era is kinda known for it's "Stillstand" (stagnancy / standstill), especially when it comes to digital topics or climate change related policies.

[@therealdeal1338]

@@Dark__Thoughts yeah in digital topics Germany really lack behind unfortunately.

[@zorro315754442]

@@Dark__Thoughts Wouldn't agree with that. In fact Merkel is Germanys frist green chancellor. One can easily research what the so called conservative party of Merkel did within their now 16 years (that's btw not even two full decades - still very long) of ruling the country: they decided to turn off nuclear power plant as well as power plants using hard or soft coal. Even power plants using natural gas should be powered off soon leaving only wind power and other so called green ways of producing energy, ignoring that there are times when there is no wind nor sunlight leaving the Germans at the mercy of their neighbours like Poland (leading in coal energy in Europe) or France (leading in nuclear power in Europe). But wait there's more! They also ban combustion engines in factory new cars by the year of 2050. The list goes on and on... And the real differnce compared to the german green party is the time by when those action should take place. E.g. the ban of combustion engines in new cars by 2050 vs 2045. End of coal energy by 2025 vs. 2022. *No one is arguing about the actions themselves, they only arguing about the exact time when it should take place and that's why Germany already has it's first green chancellor in person of Merkel.*

[@painglwinaungorgan8716]

I wanna know about Sweetened condensed milk and Tea. Also Tea shop.

[@satyam5970]

Happy PRide to you too Rachael !! This episode was very wholesome and sweet. Kudos to you to make an episode on pride .

Thank you so much for this episode! Germany is moving forward, yes, but it's a very slow progress. When that guy said "Germany never leads the way", that was a good quote to summarize the problem. Germany currently only changes things due to pressure and not because they see it as needed. Because of that, it is constantly lagging behind many other countries. Why is the land of the Enlightenment a trailblazer for economy and democracy but not for the everyday human rights of millions of its citizens?

[@awesomedude4428]

Idk which countries are you talking about but it's moving forward quite fast compared to most of the world except few countries like Switzerland, Norway etc.

[@divineantiwokegangster]

forward towards what? this is regression and selfdestruction

[@maxima13broly]

@A W And who has the highest HIV cases? Where is the Monkeypox more prevalent? Go on Censor me.

[@sharinganamvs9839]

​@@maxima13broly I haven't seen a single monkey pox patient in more than 15 years

[@sharinganamvs9839]

​@@maxima13broly Btw what types of countries are the most underdeveloped and has high death rate?

[@untergehermuc]

Bavaria was the first „German“ state legalising gay sex - in 1811! Only after unification in 1871 it became illegal again, cause the Prussians insisted on it.

[@jenniferbardot8791]

A lot of this is similar to Canada, although I think we have more of a live and let live attitude here.

[@HuMb7]

Happy pride 🏳‍🌈🏳‍⚧wir kämpfen immer noch

[@Brots621]

Nien! Unlike you

[@capybaratherealoneNL]

keep fighting!!

[@lokiiago_x0x]

"ICH weiss was ich bin und wer ich bin." GENAU x0x

[@klausaschmid]

Thank you for covering this topic! Just for completeness' sake - to represent Bavarian Queer history, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs was notable to be the first public advocate for gay decriminalisation at the Congress of German Jurists in Munich, 1867. The central square of our gay neighbourhood is named after him, he fits in well in the timeline alongside Magnus Hirschfeld.

[@untergehermuc]

Don’t forget that Bavaria legalised homosexuality already in 1811.

[@timboloro5346]

5:00 Thomas Hitzelsberger? Or was it after his Career ended?

[@ThePixel1983]

After, I think. When it was easier.

[@queerulantin6431]

Be proud to be yourself ❤️❤️❤️🏳️‍🌈

[@anuarnader9063]

Everyone with what they like, I'm neutral at this subject. Is not nice to judge people for what they chose

[@Pascotam]

Be yourself n be good!!!

[@latvianlegion19thdivision83]

little dark age :( germany now and germany before germany before is better

[@lunix8661]

As a german i agree

[@naachoSL]

@@lunix8661 Deutschland, erwache aus deinem bösen Traum!

[@Dings27]

100%

[@donnagjoka2587]

Good for you ☺️

[@josephpearson2230]

Excellent!

[@dweuromaxx]

Glad you liked it!

[@switzertim3822]

Thank you Rachel and team for this informative video. We all need to accept one another coz being different is what makes us all unique. Could u please also do a video on how it is being a black person in Germany? Thanks

[@RachelStewart04]

I'd definitley like to cover multiculturalism and racism on MTG. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@cuddlycuttlefish5674]

As far as my (farely limited) knowledge goes, I think that there really isn’t a big difference to being a white dude probably a few bad looks by some right winged buttholes and possibly a little bit of racial profiling by the police.

[@wesleygoncalves6391]

How can someone do not like this episode?

[@svnb.3466]

I am gay, but I don't agree to the pride term regarding beeing gay. Because being proud of it would mean it is something special while in fact it is just totaly normal. And isn't this what we actualy wanted to communicate? Beeing gay shouldn't be a big fuzz, saying that you are shouldn't be a coming out. It should be like eating Pizza on a lazy friday. But that's what an ideal world would be like. Being gay is actualy special 'cause others do make it that by hating on it and trying to harm you just for it. Coming out is a heavy overcoming of fear because others may won't see it as the normal thing it is and shun you just for it. It's the ignorant one who made it special, not the LGBTQI+ person. So, there can be pride, not in beeing gay itself but to have stood up for yourself against the hate and aggression towards it, against shunning, ignorance. And the day this Pride won't need to exist anymore, is the day, where homosexuality is like eating that pizza on a lazy friday. Cheers.

[@MrMyzel]

One reason why i don't see myself as a part of the community. Being proud of something you can't influence is narcissism to me.

[@TransformN]

Einfach Mensch sein. Wie schön ist das ... wäre das ... wird das sein ....

[@ic3y_]

Thank you, that's very important topic.

[@Falbala146]

you forgot to mention the gay foreign minister Guido Westerwelle. If I remember right even his husband was sometimes included when he was visiting other countries. In some countries where homosexuality is still punished they had to be a bit more careful, I think...

[@crypto9999999]

2:33 "Lesbian sex wasn't criminalized in Nazi Germany" is a statement i would not agree with.

[@barrylane4164]

Well done as always Rachel! I find it interesting that Germany is still such a conservative country and that the gay people interviewed were so articulate, much more so I thought than many of the ''straight'' Germans that Rachel has interviewed in other segments.

[@2girls1cup36]

who is the beauty at 1:00 ?

[@mystereit73]

Bravo !

[@YukiTheOkami]

Anyone whos interested. Leipzig is a good city to be queer and its not as expensive as berlin

[@kabardinka1]

The paid Russian trolls will looove adding their canned negative comments to this.

[@harrythompson8135]

Hello kabardinka

[@alexs7189]

Russians are not homophobic, enough of these stereotypes.

[@saadisave]

@@alexs7189 Why tolerate Chechnya then?

[@alexs7189]

@@saadisave That is the price to pay for peace, unfortunately.

[@saadisave]

@@alexs7189 The tyrant of Chechnya is having gay people tortured and murdered for nothing more than being gay. Is that an acceptable cost for peace? Is it even apt to call this state of affairs 'peace'? Рамзан Кадыров - позор человечества.

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

love from india hope we will see a much more better tomorrow

[@piccadelly9360]

A video in German with Rachel would be interesting

[@kurtk8926]

I don't have preferred pronouns. I have preferred adjectives. When referring to me you must first say handsome and brilliant.

[@dweuromaxx]

Fair enough!

[@o_o9061]

There is indeed a difference between rural and urban Germany. But even in the rural areas, it‘s not that bad tbh. Most Germans are educated/articulate and it‘s very, very rare that you‘ll encounter someone who would insult you publicly or beat you down. I have acquaintances from Poland where the situation is the polar opposite, even though we’re neighbors. I can’t imagine the situation in the Middle East for example. When the friends from Poland visited me in Frankfurt, they were „impressed“ that noone raised a brow when there was a gay couple doing a casual goodbye kiss at the train station. Too bad, that many people forget how privileged we are in Germany.

[@zoeymckeown3194]

I lived in Saudi Arabia, you would be surprized I knew male gay couples who were very happy and relaxed. The stigma was always around unmarried women. The male couples lived quietly, the religious police didn't care, but there was certainly no AGENDA!

[@Abeltepase8000]

Im proud, Im gay. Still single

[@the_bathroom]

Good stay single

[@JohnnysWorld]

Love don’t know genders. Me as a „Hete“, i’m very glad that gay pleople can get married in Germany. This is really important in so many ways. I personally don’t care if someone loves a man or a woman… I only care if someone is an asshole or a nice person 😉

[@ThePixel1983]

Exactly! And I don't get why so many still feel fine being a*****s

[@JohnnysWorld]

@Cardboard Cape for example: if one of them is having a accident and is going to be be hospitalized the other part would not be able to make decisions, visit him or even get informations about how it stands.

[@aramisortsbottcher8201]

@@JohnnysWorld Isn't that the same with non-married hetero couples?

[@JohnnysWorld]

@@aramisortsbottcher8201 sure, but they were allowed to married (or should I say forced to be married 🤔) since centurys 😉

[@aramisortsbottcher8201]

@@JohnnysWorld I know, but they still have the same problem right?

[@bakai0301]

Considering how many non-white queer people live in Germany it is sad to see no single person of color being included into reportage about LGBTQ people’s rights and experience in Germany I am gay non-white person living in Germany and we are still invisible even during the pride month

[@RachelStewart04]

Thanks very much for writing. Finding people to talk so openly about this topic on camera was challenging this time, but you are right and we will try harder. Wishing you a happy and visible Pride!

[@dweuromaxx]

@Baki Thanks for your comment. Sorry! We always try our best to represent a cross-section of society and didn't mean to hurt your feelings. 😘 🌈

[@unamusedcaveman9235]

@@dweuromaxx LGBTQ ideology is being systematically taught to young people all the way from kindergarten. This is why we see LGBTQ getting bigger with increasingly younger people. It's not a coincidence. You're not born LGBTQ, you learn it.

[@RustyDust101]

@@dweuromaxx If you want to find an openly gay, non-white American living in Germany, try Chris Murphy's channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2e9e6Gfa5utj9k Nice dude.

[@margaretdax]

It is really shameful how opposed the CSU/CDU have been to reforming laws regarding trans people and transition. It absolutely stands against the values of the EU and the German constitution regarding human dignity, as the requirements are deeply cruel and dehumanizing. I hope to see much more progress in the years to come!

[@margaretdax]

@@night6724 people are totally able to get surgery in Germany, but good job bud! Totally got em

[@margaretdax]

@@night6724 I really think that’s more of a question for your parents bud. Transgender people are completely normal. They don’t require your understanding or approval to be themselves. And these comments you’re making don’t really seem related to the substance of my comment so... maybe just stop trying to stir shit?

[@_o..o_1871]

@@night6724 Jokes on you, we’re all animals already

[@konigschwarz2565]

Danke schön, Rachel! Greetings aus Kalifornien! 🇺🇸

[@fermintenava5911]

Let's put it this way: Since last election, we've got two trans-female members of parliament... but the election-sheet still called them by their dead-name. That's a good example of how german bureaucracy hasn't caught up yet with society changing. Not to speak of the general population that's still pretty ignorant towards specific issues regarding gender, and the media painting a somewhat blurry picture.

[@petereggers7603]

Just a day ago Rachel appeared on the american/german podcast "Understanding trainstation" with an excellent and very personal interview...and boooom the next episode of "Meet the germans" came out... coincidence? Definitely no coincidence concerning the topic...in the month of pride and three days before the CSD parade would have taken place in Cologne, if there wasn't Covid. Tbh... CSD in Cologne is more of a gigantic party event...IMHO, the possibility to celebrate something similar to carnival in the warm summer days is very welcomed here. And of course some of the - normally - thousands of (hetero) spectators are acting like being in a zoo... "Ahhh look at him/her/it...so funny"... BUT: as mentioned... visibility helps a lot... Great one again, Rachel! Excellent research, great interviews, perfectly condensed information and so entertaining as always. Very good job! 👍👍👍

[@notnero5280]

Germany has gone through some character development since the old days, if you know what I mean.

[@calistafalcontail]

As a german, No thanks.

[@doffy2192]

No

[@happydog4929]

I like your reports. Thanks

[@hiimain7932]

Beautiful souls supporting LGBT community gave me hope for the future. I hope one day queer woman like me dont need to hide themselves, will not suffer from internal and external rejection, will not consider suicide as a means to end these sufferings. I was born Muslim and realising Im not straight is like dying in silent. It took more than a decade to finally found the courage to come out to myself and live my truth. Who would have thought that the part of me that I used to hate for more than a decade would bring me so much happiness, inspiration and contentment, and became my most proudest part of who I am. Thank you for your support to the community ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@mopping4600]

Where you in some third world country?

[@MY_CHANNEL212]

My dad's German and He's not gay

[@FurryGhost424]

even if i dont support LBQT (im more in a neutral state) i can say that everyone shuld be be respected. becouse for real, What have they done? they have done Nothing to be hated. auch wenn ich LGBTQ nicht unterstütze (ich bin eher in einem neutralen Zustand) Ich kann sagen, dass jeder respektiert werden sollte. denn wirklich, was haben sie getan? sie haben nichts getan, was man hassen könnte.

[@bigusdycus7312]

How many things are they put in that "+"?

[@MrMyzel]

Basically anything someone can identify as.

[@NeverEverII]

I really like that you made a video about LGBTIQ+, it is still a topic which needs to be discussed / shown, that many people (including myself) are not cis-hetero, and that is perfectly okay. 😇🌈

[@Kuwait6193]

How to become a fatherless country

[@Kuwait6193]

@@supernimo739gaming7 better repent satanist image

[@felixthecatboy]

@@Kuwait6193 satan isnt real what are you talking about lol

[@valentino1000]

1:49 Hirschfeld did NOT engage in transgender rights. He didn't question the two sexes. He did, however, fight for the the rights of transvestites.

[@arkodutta4967]

Haram

[@averageinternetchad1652]

1:45 😂😂😂

[@joshythecherryemperor]

"Only true OG's remember the best version of Germany there ever was." 🇦🇹 🖌

[@bloody_heil]

LGBT in Germany 2024: 😊🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ LGBT in Germany 1944:👿🇾🇪🙋🏻‍♂️😱 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟥⬜️⬛️⬜️🟥 🟥⬛️⬛️⬛️🟥 🟥⬜️⬛️⬜️🟥 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥

[@yengsabio5315]

What exactly is a queer person?

[@dontbothermeimjust12]

It's one that in general does not identify with the norms of traditional society in terms of sexual orientation. So basically anyone that is not strictly heterossexual.

[@yengsabio5315]

@@dontbothermeimjust12 Thanks for responding! So with what you have stated, even gay men/women are also queer. Did I get you right? Thanks again!

[@dontbothermeimjust12]

@@yengsabio5315 yes, correct. "Queer" was used in Britain in the past to describe gay men in a pejorative way. But around the 1980s they started to reclaim as non-pejorative and encompassing more people.

[@yengsabio5315]

@@dontbothermeimjust12 Thank you for putting context into the word; I've grasped it better! I have to say this as a non-English, I need to understand the word properly so I can dive better into understanding the issue at hand. Hence, my query. You are generous in responding. I thank you for that!

[@dontbothermeimjust12]

@@yengsabio5315 You are a very nice person. It's sometimes hard to find them in the internet. Thank you for the nice conversation, and have a wonderful weekend.

[@onlinegeister]

Queer, bi, hetero, whatever. We are people, we are humans. We love, we live, we suffer, but we do this as individuals. Thank you for noticing. We try to live these ideals in our company as well. However, foremost, we try not to make a big deal out of it since it shouldn't be. It's normal (at least should be), and that's a good thing.

[@unamusedcaveman9235]

LGBTQ ideology is being systematically taught to young people all the way from kindergarten. This is why we see LGBTQ getting bigger with increasingly younger people. It's not a coincidence. You're not born LGBTQ, you learn it.

[@flo1202xyz]

@@unamusedcaveman9235 It’s probably very pointless to discuss with a spammer, but I’ll try to make your caveman view a bit brighter. I have never heard of LGBTQ+ until I discovered the internet. It’s unfortunately not taught anywhere. Also, you might not realise that you’re LGBTQ+ at birth, but realising and finding terms later in life is not a decision.

[@unamusedcaveman9235]

@@flo1202xyz You're right, being LGBTQ is not a decision. It's an ideology that is taught to you as a child.

[@kriegerkaiser]

Rachel, well done. I lived in NRW and Berlin as a young man and certainly flourished there. Thanks for posting this. Du hast ja gut gemacht!

[@Windona]

Until this video I never knew that the Stonewall Riots were on Christopher Street. It's weird to me to see that Germany legalized gay marriage after the US, because I tend to think of Germany as being overall more liberal than the US. Though I never realized that 10% of Cologne was LGBTQI+!

[@harrythompson8135]

Hello👋 widona how are you doing today hope you're safe over there?

[@harrythompson8135]

I hope this year brings happiness and prosperity and love💕 to all american and to the worldwide🌍. I'm harry Thompson by name. and if I may ask where are you from? hope you don't mind..

[@triforce_xiii]

anyone should do as they please, as long as noone else is being harmed. i have never been harmed by a gay person at all. Most of them i know are really kind and one can talk with them for hours about every subject... the reason is: because they are just as normal as anyone else, just they like persons of their own sex and noone should mind it as negative, ever!

[@eriador1]

Wait, Germany had a law that required names to be easily identifiable as male of female? How did that even work, every child registration had to go through a judge or something? Anyway, nice that they got rid of it.

[@vanessah5217]

Not quite. You have to register your child's birth along with their name at the local council department that is handles all things related to citizens' life status which includes birth, death, marriages, name changes and probably some more (Standesamt). Rules on name changes (for first names and last names) are quite strict and rules on which names you can give your child are, too. And yes, the officials can deny parents to give their children certain names. Usually the reasoning is to protect the well being of the children because the risk of getting ridiculed/bullied for certain names is deemed too high or the name would insult the child or other people. One example of a name that is considered sort of "unisex" is Maria. You can call your daughter Maria and it's fine since everyone expects a Maria to be female. If you wanted to give your son that name however, you would have to pair it up with a name that is identifiably male, like with Christoph Maria Herbst (a famous actor here in Germany).

[@eriador1]

@@vanessah5217 Thanks for the explanation!

[@RustyDust101]

@@eriador1 There is also the problem of Germany's history. Assume a Neo-Nazi couple decided to call its kid the first name Adolf, and the middle name Hitler. No matter what that kid would do, it would be saddled with that name at least until the age of 14, which is the very first time a kid may apply for a name change on their own. But imagine the hell that kid would have to go through at school. To prevent that the German government declared a law that certain names could be withheld from being given to a child by the Standesamt, the naming registration office for new borns. This has nothing to do with the LGBTQI+ community, but rather with Germany's unfortunate history and the German civil law system. Laws and rules can't be applied retro-actively, but have to exist at the time of any ruling being applied. Therefore German law has to be fairly broad to encompass as many cases as possible without being too broad to encourage too much leeway for the judges. A very difficult split between those two extremes. That's where the traditional male or female naming came from as well.

[@bojanapavlovic294]

Great video, love learning more about the topic.

[@abrahamsanchezguerra724]

Rachel really said GAY RIGHTS!!! shes a queen

[@spiritsswerve]

she isnt.

[@soupman3285]

cringe

[@germanguy2]

@@spiritsswerve stop talk

[@germanguy2]

@@soupman3285 you're cringe

[@spiritsswerve]

@@germanguy2 halt die schnauze

[@necromancerification]

Ah the city of Sodom