New German government appoints commissioner for queer community

Germany's new government named 31-year-old Sophie Koch as the federal commissioner for the queer community on Wednesday.

Koch, a lawmaker from the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the eastern state of Saxony, said she is "part of the community" and knowns what it means to be queer in rural areas.

She told dpa that she sees her role as being an advocate for queer people throughout Germany.

Building ties with civil society is crucial to the role, Koch said. "That's why I want to bring people together and do everything I can to build bridges for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity."

Koch's predecessor Sven Lehmann launched various initiatives for more self-determination for queer people and greater acceptance.

Germany's Federation Queer Diversity (LSVD), which represents the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) community, says that "anti-feminist, sexist and trans-hostile attitudes" are prevalent in the country, especially among right-wing movements.

"This reflects the fact that feminists and trans people are obviously being turned into a central enemy by parties and movements on the far right," the LSVD says.