Wiesbaden's LGBTQ+ survey exposes safety gaps and sparks urgent reforms
Wiesbaden Releases Findings of First Survey on LGBTQ+ Experiences
On Wednesday, the city of Wiesbaden presented the results of its first-ever survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals, focusing on homophobic and transphobic experiences as well as their sense of safety.
For the first time, members of sexual and gender minorities in Wiesbaden were asked about their living conditions, with over 200 participants sharing their experiences. The findings reveal that while most respondents feel safe in public spaces during the day, uncertainty grows in the evening. Areas perceived as particularly unsafe include parts of the city center, the Westend district, the main train station forecourt, and bus stops.
Survey participants also reported incidents of verbal abuse, threats, physical violence, and sexual harassment. Notably, such attacks are rarely reported to authorities, with respondents citing uncertainties about the reporting process among the key reasons.
City and Police Aim to Build Trust
Mayor Christiane Hinninger took the results seriously, stating: "Our study shows that we still have much work ahead in the coming years. It is unacceptable that so many gay, bisexual, and trans individuals feel unsafe in public—or even face attacks." The city is now developing targeted measures, including greater visibility of support services. "Victims of crime must trust that the police will help them,"* Hinninger emphasized.
The West Hesse Police Headquarters also pledged to take decisive action against anti-LGBTQ+ crimes, as Deputy Police President Katrin Thaler explained: "Our goal is clear: we want to bring more anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes to light by being approachable and strengthening trust." Special liaison officers will serve as bridges to the community, supporting victims on an equal footing.
Existing Measures Receive Positive Feedback
Participants largely praised the city's current initiatives, such as flying the rainbow flag at city hall, funding the Christopher Street Day parade, and establishing the Queer Center. Wiesbaden plans to build on these efforts. "The state capital stands firmly with the LGBTQ+ community," Hinninger affirmed. "We will continue to make this stance clear and back it up with concrete actions."
The full report, "Queer Life in Wiesbaden," is available [here].
