Sexuality and the involved emotions such as love, desire and the feeling of belonging are a natural part of most people’s lives.
This special kind of physical contact between individuals can bestow well-being, pleasure and trust. A sexual relationship should always be voluntary and consensual.
In Germany, everyone has the right to decide for themselves…
- whether, when, how often and whom they want to be sexually intimate with.
- whether and whom they want to marry.
- whether they want to have children.
No one can force other persons into sexual acts or take advantage of their situation to have them perform sexual acts. This also applies to family members, partners and acquaintances.
Children and adolescents are under special protection in Germany.
It is forbidden for adults (aged 18 or over) or adolescents (15 – 17 years) to perform sexual acts with children younger than 14. Persons engaging in sexual acts with children under 14 whether consensual or not are liable for prosecution. Further laws concerning the protection of children and adolescents can be found in various languages under www.zanzu.de
Sexual activity between family members, such as parents and children or siblings is prohibited by law, regardless of their age. Sexual assault and abuse is strictly forbidden and punishable by law. If you are a victim of sexual assault, talk to someone you trust or visit a counselling centre. Contact details are available at your local Aidshilfe (AIDS-support-organisation).
In Germany, individuals are not persecuted or punished for their gender or sexual orientation.
It is forbidden by law to discriminate homosexual, transsexual or intersexual people. Same-sex relationships are legal: A man may love a man and have him as a partner. A woman may love a woman and have her as a partner. Same-sex couples can, if they want to, enter a registered partnership. This registered partnership is not the same as the marriage between a man and a woman, as it has some legal drawbacks.
If you are a man attracted to men or if you are a woman attracted to women …
- you should not be verbally or physically attacked as a result. Please contact a counselling centre or an ‘Aidshilfe’ (AIDS-support-organisation) for support if you become the victim of an abuse.
- and were persecuted in your home country, this might be a reason for asylum. Helpful information in various languages: www.queer-refugees.de
- you can find counselling centres, meeting sites and events in many cities.
Your local Aidshilfe (AIDS-support-organisation) will be pleased to help you.
