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Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to compensate gay soldiers who were systematically discriminated against between 1955 and 2000. She apologized to those affected.
By Kai Clement, ARD capital studio
“The attitude of the Bundeswehr towards homosexuality was wrong. Even then it was wrong and lagged behind society.” – Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer found clear words. It is shameful and unheard of that the troop has systematically discriminated against homosexuals for decades since its founding.
Like Dierk Koch. He was released from the troops in 1964 – dishonorable. “Can you imagine how I felt?” He asks. “That day, at 12 noon, I was homeless, destitute and demoted by the Bundeswehr.”
Defense Minister apologizes
It wasn’t until 2000 that then-Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping ended the practice, and that only under external pressure, according to Kramp-Karrenbauer, due to a constitutional complaint. The criminal prosecution of homosexuals had been in the last 30 years: “I am very sorry for this practice. And I apologize to those who have suffered it.”
Kramp-Karrenbauer presented a study of more than 360 pages. The result: for the Bundeswehr, homosexuality was a serious flaw, a security risk. “I can hardly imagine what ongoing tension, what fear, but also what humiliation it was.” The minister now wants to rehabilitate those affected. She is also planning a compensation payment, albeit a symbolic one.
Criticism of the time
From the perspective of the Greens, this is all good and correct, said their spokesman for queer politics, Sven Lehmann. But he is late: “Many of the former soldiers are already at a very advanced age. And if now they should have some compensation and also possible pensions, then there must be a quick process and without bureaucracy for this law.”
Kramp-Karrenbauer announced that the law will soon go to a departmental vote. Today’s Bundeswehr is different, even if there is still discrimination.
Hides homosexuality, out of fear
Sven Bäring agrees. Talk about an excellent complaint system. And yet he, who joined the Bundeswehr decades after Dierk Koch, heard the following: “‘You know, I was announced. With the hint: I have two bad news for you: you will get a roommate and so will he. he’s still gay. ‘ I joined the Bundeswehr in 2013 and I didn’t tell anyone. I still remember my mother telling me pretty well that I shouldn’t tell anyone in the Bundeswehr, she was afraid for me. “
Currently, Bäring is president of the “QueerBw” association for homosexuals in the German armed forces. When you hear reports from contemporary witnesses like the marine Dierk Koch, it gives you a chill, he says.
After all, Koch experienced an understanding father when he, dishonorably fired, suddenly stood in front of the door: “He looked at me very sweetly,” reports Koch. “Then he gave me a friendly pat on the back of the neck and said, ‘Then we have to see that we can find a job for you tomorrow. And by the way, we don’t have to tell Mom. ‘ At that time I loved my father immensely. “
