A single unified LGBTQ+ conversation

This Friday, Germany has passed a law that allows trans, inter, and non-binary people to change their official gender entry (or whatever you call that) by simply giving a statement to the administration. The new "Selbstbestimmungsgesetz" (self-determination act) replaces the old "Transsexuellengesetz" that had people jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops, get officially stamped expert's opinions from two different psychologists, and a court ruling. This will no longer be necessary in the future.

Note that this law is only concerned with what gender you are in the official paperwork, not with what you do with your body (e.g. hrt, surgery). There are different laws for that.

Source (in German): https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/selbstbestimmungsgesetz-bundestag-102.html

I have heard other things about the law, both in the originally proposed form and what was decided about in the end. Some genius thought it was a good idea to give the personal data of people changing their name and gender entry to law enforcement as a preventive measure (preventing what exactly?), because as we all know, German police and secret service are so great with the personal data of marginalized groups. Last I heard, they patched this out. But I don't have a source for that.

For more context on German politics, the current federal government is a coalition of social democrats, free democrats (a.k.a. neoliberals), and greens. Parliament also has conservatives, far-right, left, and a recently-formed splinter group of the left. The next federal election is in 2025, with the possibility of a new government and parliament less favorable of a law to help queer people.

BRB, cross-posting on the German politics thread over at on-topic.

Well, I guess that's somewhat better but yeah I don't like that they might have lists now. Let's hope that doesn't give the next administration any ideas..

And all without being veto'd over nonexistant concerns.

Went out to a bar with a guy friend from work. Just as friends. He probably doesn't think that I like guys, though calling my ex a "they" might make him suspicious, but who could know. He had two beers tonight.

He wants to ask out a girl we work with and I support him, though I don't really expect her to say yes...

...is that being disingenuous?

I saw a great post on Tumblr written by a trans man breaking down "white woman fragility brain", a phenomenon related to the idea that women can do no wrong and are always the victim in every situation. I think it's really interesting feminist reading, and it links to two fantastic articles that go further in-depth into the idea.

https://www.tumblr.com/drdemonprince/736075105639202816/have-you-defined-the-meaning-of-white-woman

The first article is a personal one about why the writer, an Autistic gay trans man, doesn't feel safe alone around cis women.

The second article, written by the same writer, is about the idea that certain groups are "less safe" or "more safe" to be around, and breaking down why that idea is wrong,

I found something interesting...

Gen Z was found to be less supportive of gay marriage last year than they were three years ago.

Commenters think it has to do with corporate pandering or neo-traditionalism, which would be disappointing.

I don't/didn't know if I'd ever get married myself, but I'd like for the option to be there.

Scrolling through the comments, it seems like the "drop rate" is potentially just from bad data: it was sponsored by a right wing think tank (BIG red flag), the second poll surveyed different age groups from the first, and it had different questions on both polls. These factors could potentially skewed the data (plus polls aren't the most reliable source of information in general), so I would be a bit skeptical of these claims.

Edited by Umbreon on May 17th 2024 at 9:14:41 AM

Social change comes in waves, so while I don't doubt there's probably some trickery in that poll, I'm not too surprised if straight people become slightly less accepting at times when there's a heavy media onlaught against gay rights.

Anyway, because I'm banned from On Topic Conversation and I can't comment on the thread there, someone said Thailand and Taiwan are the only Asian countries with Gay Marriage, I would like to mention that Nepal also just legalized it nationwide earlier this year.

That’s great! Good on you, Nepal!

Edited by MagmaTeaMerry on May 20th 2024 at 8:29:39 PM

Figured out i'm genderfluid. Not gonna be bothered with being called a boy (cause i consider that my default), but i might just change my looks and stuff.

Congrats!

Congratulations!