Courageous commitment to queer visibility: Jannes Wiesner fights in Friesland!

Courageous commitment to queer visibility: Jannes Wiesner fights in Friesland!

Something is happening in Friesland! Jannes Wiesner, the 24-year-old deputy chairman of the SPD Friesland, is committed to a major cause: the visibility and acceptance of the queer community. Wiesner lives openly as a gay man and emphasizes that the Friesland district, although open and tolerant, urgently needs more visible spaces for queer life. “There is a lack of meeting places and offers for the LGBTIQ* community,” says Wiesner. Despite the progress in Germany, which came with the deletion of paragraph 175 and the introduction of “marriage for all”, social change remains a challenge, especially in rural regions.

The need for interesting contact points is illustrated by the closure of a queer advice center that was set up in Friesland two years ago on the initiative of the SPD. After the carrier was no longer available, the need for abdominal pain had to be addressed again. “I’m now looking for a new partner to revive the advice center,” explains Wiesner. Positive examples such as the Aidshilfe in Wilhelmshaven show what regional cooperation can look like.

Acceptance and solidarity

With the launch of the campaign “What is queer?” On April 8, 2025, the topic of being queer will clearly be brought into focus. Initiated by Queer Commissioner Sven Lehmann, the campaign aims to promote acceptance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans*, intersex and queer people in society. According to Lehmann, although the majority of people in Germany accept the LGBTIQ* community as an equal part of society, the threats from right-wing extremist and religious forces are increasing. At least six attacks on queer people are reported every day, which further underlines the urgency of acceptance work. The website www.wasistqueer.de offers important information and support.

A “Queer Living” action plan, which was also launched by the federal government, includes six areas of action that are intended to promote educational and acceptance work. An interim report provided information on the implementation status in December 2024 and announced that further reports would be published every two years.

Challenges for LGBTIQ refugees*

Another aspect that is often overlooked are the unique challenges that LGBTIQ refugees face. These people have often suffered massive experiences of discrimination and violence in their countries of origin and while fleeing. Politics, for example in the state of Brandenburg, takes these experiences into account. Support offers focus on violence prevention and protection, so that nothing stands in the way of a safe arrival. Projects such as “Queer Integration” by the Katte e.V. association. V. show how you can raise awareness of the special needs of these people and build good advisory structures.

Wiesner warns that despite legal progress in Germany, legal equality does not automatically mean social acceptance. “It is important to actively stand up for the queer community in order to make life safer and freer for everyone,” concludes the young politician, who has been in a supportive relationship with his boyfriend for six and a half years.

So there is still a lot to be done when it comes to creating acceptance and celebrating the diversity of human lifestyles. A breath of fresh air is blowing through Friesland, and a committed Jannes Wiesner is at the forefront.