Actor voices concerns over potential setbacks

Actress issues caution against potential obstacles on set - Actress issues caution against reversing progress

Maren Kroymann, the 76-year-old actress and creator of the satirical show "Kroymann," has expressed her concerns about the current state of the queer movement in Germany. In an interview on the NDR Talk Show on August 15, Kroymann spoke about the perceived setback in the progress of queer rights and the increasing violence against the queer community.

Kroymann, who publicly came out as a lesbian in 1993 and was portrayed with her partner in a cover story of Stern magazine, has had a successful career prior to her public coming out. Her prominence in German culture has allowed her to use her platform for political statements, advocating for queer visibility and social issues.

In her interview, Kroymann highlighted the abolition of women's quotas and diversity programs in some companies, such as SAP, as a concerning development. She also pointed out the significant increase in violence against queer people, particularly trans women, as a shocking trend that needs immediate attention.

Kroymann believes that some people in Germany are using the rhetoric of US President Donald Trump as a pretext for their own prejudices. However, her comments were not directly connected to the politics of the US President. Instead, she emphasised the dampening effect Trump's rhetoric and policy approach have had on queer rights and the visibility of LGBTQ+ issues in the U.S., which indirectly impacts global perceptions, including in Germany.

Notably, recent U.S. human rights reports under Trump's influence omitted critique of anti-queer policies in countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia, focusing instead on promoting a positive vision of American and Western values while minimizing mentions of queer discrimination and rights violations. This shift signals a deprioritization of queer rights in official discourse.

Despite these challenges, German queer rights and diversity programs continue to advance. Kroymann's work, along with other artists and activists, continues to foster public awareness and acceptance, indirectly countering setbacks and advancing public discourse about diversity and queer rights.

However, the broader impact on Germany is indirect but concerning, as international retrenchment on queer rights can influence national discourse and policy priorities. Thus, while Germany is relatively progressive in queer rights, ongoing global political dynamics—including Trump-era rhetoric—pose challenges that require continued cultural and political engagement to maintain and advance diversity programs.