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According to a study, almost 94 percent of queer young people in Bavaria have experienced discrimination. "Some of the results are alarming," said Dominic Frohn, a professor at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences who designed and conducted the study. The central finding is that queer adolescents have a significantly lower level of well-being and resilience than their peers in the general population. Especially at school, many respondents had experienced discrimination.
The research project "How are you" of the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences and the Institute for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Research surveyed around 2000 people aged 14 to 27 in Bavaria on behalf of the Bavarian Youth Council (BJR). The aim was to research the living conditions of LGBTIQA* adolescents and young adults in Bavaria.
The abbreviation LGBTIQA* stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual. The asterisk is intended to include more people in the community.
Respondents were particularly likely to feel discriminated against at school. Kora Hackl from the youth network Lambda Bayern is therefore concerned about the discussion about a planned ban on gendering. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) had announced a corresponding initiative on Tuesday in his government statement.
"Dismantling or banning gender-sensitive language, especially in such an area, only shows how little thought is given to inclusion by the government here in Bavaria," Hackl said. BJR President Philipp Seitz took a similar view. Gender-sensitive language expresses social diversity and contributes to greater inclusion.
There were also reactions from politicians. Florian Siekmann, spokesman for queer life for the Greens in the state parliament, called for an action plan from the state government. "Bavaria needs a queer action plan as early as next year, instead of a soft-washed agenda at some point."
aeh/dpa