LGBTQIA+ (or LGBT) is an English abbreviation. In Germany, the German abbreviation, LSBTTIQ ("lesbisch, schwul, bisexuell, transgender, transsexuell, intersexuell, queer") is often used. Lesbians are women who prefer women. Gays are men who like men. Bisexuals like both men and women. Transgender refers to women born in a male body or men born in a female body. Transsexual individuals, too, feel they are born in a wrong body -so they change their bodies with the help of hormone therapy and surgeries. Intersex individuals are those who have both male and female genitals. And asexual people have little or no interest in sexual activity. The "+" in LGBTQIA+ acknowledges the fact that there are other sexual and gender identities.The term Queer stands for all people who do not fit in the traditional gender roles and partner preference norms.
Which rights do I have in Germany?
In Germany, every person is free to live out their sexual/gender identity, and the law protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer and asexual individuals, i.e. the LGBTQIA+ community. Nevertheless, members of these community still face hostility and discrimination from some people in the society. Find out more about your rights and how to fight discrimination.