Abstract
This chapter analyses LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) issues in the German election of 2021. It covers (a) the status quo, with a brief historical overview of past LGBTI policies up to the election, (b) how the German political parties positioned themselves towards LGBTI people in their campaigns, and (c) patterns of electoral behaviour and representation, observing how voters responded to LGBTI issues and the inclusivity of the 20th legislative period of the Bundestag. It concludes with an overview of prospects for the Traffic Light coalition. In many respects, Germany has played catch up to its peers during this contemporary era of change surrounding LGBTI rights, heavily influenced by international norms and policy ideas that developed elsewhere. I argue that the 2021 elections mark a new chapter for LGBTI issues in Germany, in terms of content, issue salience, and representation, with the potential to transform Germany from adopter back to innovator on LGBTI rights.
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Notes
- 1.
This period included three Grand Coalitions, which ruled from 2005 to 2009 and 2013–2021. The CDU/CSU governed with the Free Democrats (FDP) from 2009 to 2013.
- 2.
As part of the IASGP election trip visiting Berlin ahead of the 2021 elections, we met with the Institute for Parliamentary Research, which collects data on ‘Diversity in German Politics’ around elections. However, they had not collected data on LGBTI voters.
- 3.
For example, the recognition of both mothers in a same-sex relationship as parents (not just the birthing-mother) and the introduction of ‘communities of responsibility’ (Verantwortungsgemeinschaften) in which up to four people can share the responsibility of a child.
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Acknowledgements
I thank Jaya Duckworth for able research assistance, Louise K. Davidson-Schmich for the inspiring body of literature in this domain that helped set the foundation for the chapter, Alyson Price for reading over the manuscript, and the DAAD/IASGP for supporting my travel to observe the 2021 election.
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Ayoub, P.M. (2023). LGBTI Issues in the 2021 Federal Election: ‘Und das ist auch gut so!’. In: Campbell, R., Davidson-Schmich, L.K. (eds) The 2021 German Federal Election. New Perspectives in German Political Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38930-6_22
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