All across America, progressives are pushing for the mutilation of children in the name of gender-affirming care.” But while Americans grow ever more skeptical of gender-affirming care, one country has taken it to the extreme.
On April 12, the German Parliament, the Bundestag, approved one of the most extensive policies globally concerning self-determination in matters of gender identification. The Self-Determination Act (SBGG) recognizes “gender identity” as a protected attribute and permits parents to alter the sex designation on their children’s documents from birth.
The documents can be altered for kids five and older with “mutual consent” between the parents and their children. Kids fourteen and up can make the changes themselves without parental consent.
Parents who wish to challenge the law are prohibited from mentioning the former gender identity or name of their child. If they choose to do so, they can face fines of up to $14,000. The government hopes the hefty fine will discourage parents from coming forward with their concerns.
Trans male Nyke Slawik is one of the politicians applauding the efforts in Germany. “It is about time that we put an end to the unnecessarily long expert opinions and court proceedings to change names as an injustice and that we finally respect the dignity of trans, intersex, and non-binary people today.”
At 16 years old, Slawik started identifying as transgender. In a 2021 interview, Slawik recounted living in a shared apartment with a woman and purchasing tampons to conceal his male identity from her.
The SBGG is also supported by Tessa Ganserer, another politician who recounts a dramatic personal journey as a transgender. In 2013, Ganserer, known then as Markus, was elected as a member of the Landtag of Bavaria, representing Middle Franconia on the Alliance ’90/The Greens ticket.
A 2019 Welt article states, “Markus Ganserer ceased to exist on December 12, 2018. Then Tessa Ganserer gave Markus’ clothes to a friend.” Ganserer has long advocated for the implementation of self-identification policies regarding gender in Germany, asserting that “a penis is not a male sexual organ” and stating that “there are women who have penises.”
In 1980, Germany’s laws regarding transsexuals required its citizens to receive two assessments from medical professionals and a court ruling before being allowed to change their gender identity on official documents.
Unsurprisingly, the SBGG received backing from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and Die Linke. Conversely, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance, and the Alternative for Germany voted against the legislation.
The bill’s announcement was kept secret until April 11, just a day before its passing. Even so, around one hundred women gathered for a protest outside the Bundestag on April 12 as it was signed into law. The demonstration was coordinated by women and lesbian rights groups Frauenheldinnen e.V., Lasst Frauen Sprechen!, LAZ Reloaded e.V., and Frauen Sprechen / LSquad Berlin. Additionally, women’s rights activist Rona Duwe, who had previously faced legal action for likening a transgender organization’s mascot to a symbol associated with pedophiles, played a role in promoting the protest.
Duwe noted that those in attendance faced aggression from trans activists, who “laughed” at them. She expressed concerns about escalating police, state, and legal actions against feminists, noting increasing aggression from trans activists.
Germany has a history of promoting trans issues since many in charge identify as such themselves. Sven Lehmann, a prominent advocate for self-identification legislation, has held the role of the Federal Government’s Commissioner for the Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Diversity, commonly known as the “Queer Commissioner,” within the coalition government since 2021.
Lehmann has faced criticism previously for admitting in an interview with Queer.de to using the Grindr app during parliamentary meetings, justifying it by saying, “Grindr is also work.” Responding to public backlash, he took to Instagram to label critics as “TERFs.”
Lehmann has overseen a government-funded youth project that included content promoting BDSM in a publication co-created by minors. Lambda Bundesverband, an organization receiving financial support from the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth (BMFSFJ), collaborated with individuals as young as 14 to produce resources discussing “humiliation play” and “age fetishes.”
Last year, Lehmann played a crucial role in censoring a brochure, partially authored by Duwe, titled “Guide Out of the Transgender Cult.” The resource criticized medical interventions such as puberty blockers and transgender surgeries for children, aiming to assist parents in safeguarding their children from such procedures.
Americans should be mindful that trans activists will stop at nothing short of Germany’s SBGG in their fight to transition children. These groups’ actions make US parents nostalgic for the days of Barbie, G.I. Joe, and the innocent wonder of childhood.
