German Social Democrats Push for LGBT Themes in Preschool Curriculum
Berlin’s draft education program was criticized for excluding gender ideology; Social Democratic Party (SPD) and LGBT groups call for reform.
On June 10, 2025, Alexander Freier-Winterwerb, children’s rights spokesperson for Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), criticized Berlin’s new draft preschool curriculum for failing to include topics like “queer lifestyles,” “gender diversity,” and “anti-discrimination education.” In an interview with Tagesspiegel, he called the proposal “a step backward” compared to the 2014 version and demanded the active inclusion of LGBT topics in early childhood education.
His stance was echoed by the Lesbian and Gay Association of Germany (LSVD), which warned that omitting LGBT issues could undermine children’s sense of safety and belonging. The debate comes amid shifting national policy, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s appointment of Sophie Koch – an outspoken LGBT rights advocate – as Commissioner for Queer Affairs. The final version of the curriculum is still under review.
