The Cabinet has adopted a draft inclusion strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI). It is a long-term priority of Germany’s human rights policy to work at global level to uphold the human rights of this group. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI) are disproportionately often victims of violence, poverty and discrimination.

Engagement to be higher profile

With this inclusion strategy, the German government is according a higher profile to its commitment to realising equal rights for LGBTI persons and preventing discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics. It picks up on key demands of civil society, including the call to mainstream LGBTI issues in the human rights context and to address the special vulnerability of young people who have not yet reached the age of majority.

The strategy helps ensure a strategic global design, with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany’s missions abroad. It translates into practice the directives set out in the National Action Plan on Racism and makes an important contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and realising the principle of the 2030 Agenda that no one should be left behind.

Global advocacy for the human rights of LGBTI persons

Within the international human rights dialogue, Germany is a trailblazer in ensuring respect and protection for LGBTI and guaranteeing their human rights.

Within the scope of foreign relations and development cooperation, the German government is increasingly developing the capacities of civil society organisations that work at local, regional or international level to promote the human rights of LGBTI persons and to counter discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The German government wants to achieve these goals:

• Greater focus on promoting measures that directly and sustainably help improve civil society’s human rights work for LGBTI persons.
• Mainstreaming LGBTI concerns in the institutions involved in German foreign policy and official development cooperation, as well as in their procedures and activities. This includes stepping up reporting by the Federal Republic of Germany’s foreign missions regarding LGBTI rights in the host country.
• A more intensive dialogue with bilateral and regional partners and with multilateral actors geared to eradicating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics and enhancing human rights and the rule of law. In its endeavours to realise the goal, the German government will cooperate closely with partners within the EU and with other like-minded nations, including at United Nations level, in order to better protect and promote LGBTI rights.