"Stepping Up for Queer Rights" The Push for Constitutional Amendment by the New Queer Commissioner
Proposes modification of the constitutional framework to include LGBTQ rights - The commissioner advocates for a change in the constitution regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
Sophie Koch, the freshly appointed Queer Commissioner of the federal government, is making waves by advocating for queer rights to be enshrined in Article 3 of the Basic Law. "Queer people are increasingly being attacked, and we're witnessing how quickly rights can be stripped away in places like the USA," Koch told "Der Spiegel". "We need to protect them at the very core, through the Basic Law," she added, demonstrating her firm commitment to the cause.
The 31-year-old SPD member, a former activist from Saxony, aims to do more than just act as a mere symbol in her role. "I don't want to be just a fig leaf," she stated boldly. Koch's position within the CDU-led Federal Ministry of Education and Research remained intact following her appointment by the federal cabinet in late May, with no concerns about insufficient support.
In her initial discussions with Federal Minister of Education and Research Karin Prien, Koch expressed optimism, describing their conversation as both friendly and open, and revealing a shared commitment to fostering greater acceptance. She praised Prien as a supporter and believes that there's a wide-spread openness towards the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity within the CDU [2][4].
[1][3][5] As of early June 2025, the constitutional amendment proposal is still in the advocacy stage, with no formal legislative process or parliamentary debate publicly announced, indicating that it remains a political ambition rather than an enacted or formally tabled reform. Koch's push to expand queer rights and protections through this amendment serves as a vital component of her broader agenda as the federal government's Queer Commissioner [5].
Despite some controversy surrounding her appointment due to her far-left activism and criticisms of the CDU, Koch remains steadfast in her mission to champion queer rights [2][4].
"Sophie Koch, in her role as Queer Commissioner, is not just a fig leaf but intends to push for significant changes. This includes advocating for a constitutional amendment, aiming to enshrine queer rights in Article 3 of the Basic Law, and championing vocational training for the queer community as part of her broader policy-and-legislation agenda in the field of policy-and-legislation and general-news."
"As a former activist, Koch's commitment to fostering greater acceptance and protections for the queer community extends beyond symbolic representation, including pushing for vocational training programs, which could be a crucial step in reducing political and societal barriers faced by queer individuals in the realm of politics and general-news."
