In the debate about gender, the Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination, Ferda Ataman, calls for more calm. “I would like us all to be a little more relaxed about it,” Ataman told the editorial network Germany. “We live in the 21st century, and the idea that there are more genders than two should not cause anyone to panic.”
At the same time, the independent Federal Commissioner called for more relaxed handling of gender language: “I don’t think you have to break yourself off from it. You should feel comfortable with language.” The whole thing is not a compulsory exercise and not a competition. Rather, it’s about showing “that you have an awareness that there are not only men and women, but also intersex and other people.” She herself doesn’t use 100 percent inclusive gender language either.
Bans in schools and authorities
Ataman rejected a ban on gender language in schools or authorities, as already exists or is planned in some federal states – and at the same time spoke out against a gender requirement. Prohibiting state institutions in the 21st century from addressing more genders than two is clearly a step backwards. However, she believes that forcing people to use gender-inclusive language is just as wrong as a ban.
In Hesse, a ban on special gender symbols in schools and universities is planned; Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) wants to ban gender in schools and authorities in the Free State. There are already similar bans in other federal states such as Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
