Queer traffic lights in Bremen: A sign against violence and for diversity!

Queer traffic lights in Bremen: A sign against violence and for diversity!

There is currently a hotly debated topic in the air in Bremen: the Bremen Green parliamentary group has launched an initiative that aims to introduce traffic lights with queer symbols. Josephine Assmuss, the party leader of Alliance '90/The Greens, sees these queer traffic lights as a sign of diversity, visibility and respect. Their concern is clear: Queer people should be made more visible at a time when hostility is increasing. Assmuss also emphasizes that the Basic Law guarantees the freedom and security of all people and that visibility can increase acceptance and reduce the risk of anti-queer violence.
Weser reportreports that this initiative not only represents an aesthetic upgrade of the city, but also serves as an expression of solidarity in a changing social landscape.

But the idea doesn't just have supporters. Marcel Schröder from the FDP criticizes the proposal as symbolic politics that would have little effect in practice. He points out that the number of anti-queer crimes in Bremen is increasing alarmingly and instead calls for better equipment for the police and judiciary. A consistent integration policy is necessary to combat discrimination based on gender, origin or faith. In addition, the Federal Criminal Police Office has reported a significant increase in anti-queer crimes at the national level. In 2023, 1,785 cases against LGBTIQ* people were recorded, which represents an increase of around 50 percent compared to the previous year.

A sign of solidarity

The Bremen Greens have set themselves the goal of sending a visible signal against anti-queer violence with 26 queer traffic light motifs. This number corresponds to the cases of hate crimes against the queer community registered in 2024. The traffic lights are intended to act as memorials and symbolize solidarity with the queer community. The signatures for this initiative will mainly be collected at Bremen's Christopher Street Day on August 23rd in order to convince the parliamentary group. “The queer traffic lights create visibility in everyday life and normalize the diversity of forms of relationships,” emphasizes Assmuss. According to the initiative, Bremen could take a pioneering role with this measure and serve as a model for other cities.
Pride Directadds that the first queer traffic lights in Germany were installed in Frankfurt in 2018, and cities like Hanover and Munich are also following this trend.

A social problem

Against the background of alarming reporting, the discussion about anti-queer violence is becoming a problem for society as a whole that cannot be ignored. In 2023, an increase in crimes against LGBTIQ* people was noted nationwide, with the most common offenses being insults and acts of violence. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser calls for consistent prosecution of such acts of violence, while the number of unreported cases is probably even higher. Politically motivated hate crime must be taken seriously and steps to improve the situation are long overdue.
daily newsinforms that a working group to combat homophobic and transphobic violence was launched in September 2022 and the final report was presented in spring 2023, with the safety of queer people remaining on the political agenda.

The proposal to introduce queer symbols on traffic lights is therefore not only a local but also a nationally relevant issue that reflects both hope and tensions in society. It remains to be seen how politicians will react to these initiatives and whether they will lead to a noticeable improvement for the queer community in Bremen.