Standing in Full Solidarity: Joint Press Release with BvT*
State Election in Saxony-Anhalt Marks a Political Watershed
The results of yesterday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt mark a political watershed: With 43.8 percent of the vote and 39 seats in the state parliament, a party whose state association has been officially classified as confirmed far-right for the first time since 1945 has come close to securing an absolute majority in the parliament. For trans*, non-binary and other queer people, as well as people who experience racism in Saxony-Anhalt, the result above all means fear, uncertainty and concerns about their personal safety. At the same time, measures aimed at advancing equality for queer people at the state level are at risk of being dismantled.
Significant Setbacks for Queer People in Saxony-Anhalt
Queer people in Saxony-Anhalt now face significant setbacks. In its draft government programme, the AfD claims that the state has fallen victim to “rainbow ideology”. Specifically, the party intends to halt educational programmes on sexual and gender diversity in nurseries and primary schools, and to ban rainbow flags from schools. It also wants to prevent trans* young people from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
Patricia Pederzani, Board Member, Bundesverband Trans*:
“When far-right actors assume governmental responsibility, the achievements, safety and participation of queer people and other marginalised groups are put at risk. For many trans* and non-binary people, this election result therefore represents not only political change, but also very real uncertainty and fear: Can I still live safely in this state? Measures such as a threatened suspension of trans* healthcare for trans* young people or the termination of educational programmes on sexual and gender diversity fuel exclusion, rejection and distrust towards queer people. This creates fertile ground for anti-queer hate crime. Democratic parties must now take a clear stand. Anyone who wants to protect marginalised people from violence must resolutely oppose the far right.”
Anti-Queer Hate Crime on the Rise Nationwide
The threat faced by queer people in public spaces is currently increasing across Germany: The number of politically motivated offences classified as anti-queer hate crime has increased more than tenfold since 2015. In 2025, 2,377 anti-queer offences were recorded nationwide, including 1,294 hate crimes targeting “gender diversity”. In Saxony-Anhalt alone, according to the state’s State Criminal Police Office, 50 offences were recorded in the category of “gender diversity” and 77 offences in connection with “sexual orientation”.
Silvia Rentzsch, Board Member, Trans-Inter-Aktiv in Mitteldeutschland:
“For many queer and racialised people, the political developments are already having a direct impact on their everyday lives. Particularly for trans* and non-binary people, but also for people who experience racism, an election result like this reinforces the feeling that they can no longer live safely or be visible without fear. Cutting funding for counselling and specialist services actively takes away spaces and visibility from people — and with them, protection and safety. An open and democratic society, however, protects its most vulnerable groups. The safety and participation of queer and racialised people must be a political priority. Saxony-Anhalt needs policies that protect human rights, defend democratic structures and leave no further room for exclusion.”