Berlin declaration (homophobia)

The Berlin declaration “Together against homophobia. For diversity, respect and acceptance in sport ” was published in July 2013 on the initiative of the Federal Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation. The aim of the declaration is to achieve broad acceptance of homosexual people in the social field of sport in Germany and to drive back homophobic hostility, denigration and degradation there. In particular, this should also create a climate of acceptance towards active athletes with a same-sex orientation . Measures aimed at this goal, such as educational offers, especially for adolescents and young adults, should be supported by scientific research.

By signing for the first time, the members of the Federal Government at the time, Justice Minister Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger , Interior Minister Friedrich and Family Minister Schröder supported the declaration, as did top sport officials from the German Football Association , the German Olympic Sports Confederation and some football clubs, including Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen .

The “Football for Diversity” educational initiative launched with the declaration is intended to specifically target the popular sport of football in Germany.

Publication and initiatives

The declaration was published on July 17, 2013 in the capital of Deutsche Telekom in Berlin . The event, to which many camera teams also appeared, was hosted by Katrin Müller-Hohenstein ( ZDF , current sports studio ) as guest presenter . However, a prominent coming-out in sport, which media reports had speculated on in the run-up to the event, did not take place.

The Federal Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation endeavors to gain cooperation partners in the clubs and associations in the months following the publication of the declaration in order to integrate the “Football for Diversity” educational project developed with the University of Vechta , especially in the work with young people and young adults.

The “Football for Diversity” initiative also entered into an official media partnership with Sport Bild magazine , which gave 11 pages to the issue of homosexuality in football and the Berlin Declaration in its July 17th issue.

Independently of the Berlin Declaration, the German Football Association also published a 28-page information brochure “Football and Homosexuality”, which is to be sent to the 25,000 member clubs. It is intended to provide assistance in taking appropriate action against homophobia and in dealing with possible coming-outs of homosexual footballers.

The statement in full

As actors and partners of sport, we feel obliged to use its integrative power in our society: Sport stands for diversity, it connects people of different origins, worldviews and personality attributes.

Central values in sport are respect, tolerance and fair play. We expressly acknowledge the unconditional implementation of these values in sport.

In large parts of sport, homophobic tendencies are still very pronounced, homosexual athletes feel discriminated and limited in their development opportunities. In addition, the attribute of (supposed) homosexual orientation is used specifically for hostility, denigration and degradation and as an outlet for one's own fears, frustrations and aggression in sport.

We are therefore committed to active action against homophobia at all levels of sport. We support measures to promote a prejudice-free climate and to create a culture of lived diversity based on mutual appreciation and respect. Such measures should be aimed primarily at adolescents and young adults in order to strengthen corresponding attitudes in the course of their identity development.

Empirically reliable data on homophobia in sport are essential in order to be able to offer these measures as appropriately as possible. We therefore strongly support the intensification of scientific research in this area.

The interaction of as many sports institutions as possible and civil society for diversity, respect and acceptance in sports offers the best conditions for sustainable change in the thinking and acting of all those involved.