Diversity needs to be made visible

People have told us their stories, and many have thanked us for making this topic visible. But there were also followers who insulted us fiercely. One commented that children were getting strange ideas from these topics, another said we were pandering to the transformation agenda. In response, one woman defended us as follows: «You know, Rudi thought further development and change were great, he wouldn't have wanted his life's work to petrify!»

We also had lengthy conversations in the editorial office. «How do we make people feel seen, but not put on display?»

«Do we think it is possible that there is social pressure in schools to come out as queer or trans?» «Do we include the information from the Ärzteblatt that the number of gender reassignment surgeries has increased by a dramatic percentage in recent years?» We agreed throughout that we wanted to show a philanthropic attitude in this issue that respects the diversity of society and the individuality of each person.

I would like to thank all those who were prepared to speak openly about themselves for this Erziehungskunst. Queer people have always existed, but for many decades they were often invisible. I hope that one day it will no longer be necessary to talk about being queer, because everyone will look at all other people with respect and warm-heartedness, without excluding the other. Incidentally, this also applies to skin color, religious affiliation, disability or origin.