22. LGBTI Issues in the 2021 Federal Election: ‘Und das ist auch gut so!’

This chapter analyses LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) issues in the German election of 2021. It covers (a) the status quo, with a brief historical overview of past LGBTI policies up to the election, (b) how the German political parties positioned themselves towards LGBTI people in their campaigns, and (c) patterns of electoral behaviour and representation, observing how voters responded to LGBTI issues and the inclusivity of the 20th legislative period of the Bundestag. It concludes with an overview of prospects for the Traffic Light coalition. In many respects, Germany has played catch up to its peers during this contemporary era of change surrounding LGBTI rights, heavily influenced by international norms and policy ideas that developed elsewhere. I argue that the 2021 elections mark a new chapter for LGBTI issues in Germany, in terms of content, issue salience, and representation, with the potential to transform Germany from adopter back to innovator on LGBTI rights.