BiJou 26 - BiNe Bisexuelles Netzwerk eV

FDP
Interview with Sylvia Canel, member of the
German Bundestag:
“We have the LiSL - Die Liberalen Schwulen und
Lesben (the liberal gays and lesbians). They’re
an independent self-run organisation, not part
of the FDP that do politics for gays, lesbians,
and transsexuals. This type of organisation also
exists for women, senior citizens, etc. It offers
an opportunity for liberal people who do not
wish to be part of the party but still want to
make a difference. There, problems are identified
and discussed. The results and position papers
are given to the party and the parliament and in
some cases are adapted and implemented.
Are you aware of the specific interests and problems
of the bisexuals?
“The FDP stands for tolerance and diversity.
When we say gay-lesbian we mean all other orientations
as well. Equal rights for all! And equal
duties as well. The bisexuals are responsible for
their own public relations.“
What about marriage or alternative models for
polyamorous people?
“I’m not aware of a party discussion on this
matter. However everyone has the option to
live in the living arrangements that they choose
for themselves. To do that we don’t need legal
guidelines or subsidies. Other than that I think
families with kids and other dependents should
be particularly supported. We are, however, in
favour of abolishing marital splitting (tax advantages
for married couples) for couples without
children. Besides that everyone can independently
work out their own pre-nup. The state
doesn’t always have to interfere.”
Are there outed bisexuals in the FDP?
“I’m not aware of any at the moment. Bisexuals
in the FDP should participate in the political
work more vocally.“
Contact: Sylvia.Canel@bundestag.de
Website: http://www.lisl-deutschland.de/
BiJou 26
36
The Greens
Interview with Olaf Duge, member of Hamburg
parliament, Dirk Petersen, district representative
of the district Hamburg-Mitte, and
Jan Laute, member of the district executive
committee of the GREENS, Hamburg-Mitte:
Olaf: “The Queer-GAL is a regional association of
the Hamburg Greens. It’s funded by the regional
organisation. Since the Greens are no longer
called GAL, the Queer-GAL is likely to undergo its
own name change soon as well. “
Are you aware of the specific interests and problems
of bisexuals?
Dirk: “That’s a good
question. Within
the party bisexuals
hardly ever articulate
their concerns.
Judging from the
media and internet
it seems to us that
some groups don’t
show enough respect
towards bisexuals.”
In what way do you
Dirk Petersen
get involved in bisexual
issues?
Jan: “The good thing is that the word queer encompasses
all orientations – gay, lesbian, bi,
trans*, intersex and everything else in between.
Bisexual presence however is up to the bisexuals
themselves.”
Are there outed bisexuals in the Green party?
All: “We believe that there are. We can’t, however,
specifically pinpoint anyone at this point.”
Do bisexuals get mentioned separately at LGBTI
events?
Dirk: “We try to but it doesn’t always work out
that way. The name Queer-GAL does show that
we intend to do politics for the entire community
which this collective term represents. In this
respect the Greens have always been very progressive.
What about marriage or alternative models
for polyamorous people?
Olaf: “It’s definitely being discussed.
For example, we want to offer a legal
form for patchwork families of up to
four people. If, for instance, there are
two women and one father of a child, all
three might require custody of the child.
But that’s still step two. First we need
to enforce marriage equality… The problem
with equality for polyamorous lifestyles
is that there are so many different
definitions of family (traditional to very,
very open) and in the Basic Law it’s all
very formalised. But I have strong hopes
that things will keep evolving – the
Federal Constitutional Court has been
quite open to these kinds of questions
lately. So hopefully, living together in any form
won’t be hindered for too much longer.”
Contact: Olaf.Duge@gal-fraktion.de
dirk.petersen@gal-mitte.de
jan.laute@gruene-mitte.de
Website: http://www.gruene-fraktion-hamburg.
de/abgeordnete/olaf-duge
http://www.gruenemitte.com/bezirksfraktion/dirk-petersen/
Jan Laute
BiJou 26
37
Dirk Prösdorf (right)
The Left Party
Interview with Dirk Prösdorf, member of the
ag-queer:
“The ag-queer is a regional association and part
of the federal association of the Left party, financially
supported by the LEFT PARTY. “
Are you aware of the specific interests and problems
of bisexuals?
“I personally don’t know their specific interests
and problems, and in the active section of the
local association we’ve generally got more gays
and lesbians, but bisexual interests are always
included in discussions, there are twitter accounts
that deal specifically with bisexuality
which we, as an association, are following. At
the very least, discourses on the issues are being
perceived.”
Do you mention bisexuals separately?
“Bisexuals should be taken notice of. We always
talk of queer or LGBTI – we’re well past
the term (just) gay-lesbian. Currently, however,
we are dealing more on the subject of trans, not
as much bisexuality (editor’s note: unfortunately
the title page of the flyer also only reads Equal
rights for gays, lesbians, trans*persons, and intersexuals,
although bisexuals and pansexuals
are mentioned on the inside).”