In addition to the chairpersons of the two CDU associations, Anja Wagner-Scheid MdL and Thomas W. Schmitt, Dr. Bernd Janthur, head of the quality circle Trans* in Saarland, Miriam Kempte as chairwoman of the LSU Federal Committee Trans and Inter, as well as Andrea Wolter, managing director of the Social Service of Catholic Women Saarbrücken, discussed with the interested audience on the panel. The legislative cornerstones also foresee an eased procedure for changing names and gender entries at the registry office for minors, which was discussed here. In the context of childhood and adolescence, Dr. Janthur also gave an insight into his many years of experience in psychotherapeutic support for transgender adolescents and particularly addressed the difficult school life of affected children and young people, which is evident, among other things, in adequate everyday support by teachers or situationally, for example in changing rooms or during physical education and swimming lessons. It is also unfortunate that children and adolescents with transgender identities continue to be confronted with their no longer used first names in performance records such as report cards, which they mostly find very hurtful. Wagner-Scheid and Schmitt agree on this: "Schools need a guideline from the Ministry of Education on how to handle these situations more or less securely. So far, they are rather left on their own."
Furthermore, Miriam Kempte, chairwoman of the LSU Federal Committee Trans* and Inter, answered many questions and initially gave a presentation titled "Trans* – Questions of Gender Identity," which shed light on the living situation and legal framework of people with transgender identities in Germany, before Anja Wagner-Scheid then specifically addressed the further cornerstones of the self-determination law planned by the coalition government. Andrea Wolter from the Social Service of Catholic Women in Saarbrücken then illustrated how people with transgender identities are advised and supported on their life journey in their institutions. The legislative cornerstones also foresee the accompanying expansion of a nationwide counseling service, the concrete implementation of which is still pending.
LSU Saar and Frauen Union Saar agree, however, that it must be ensured that these are qualified counseling centers with sufficient experience. "The Social Service of Catholic Women is a good example of how social counseling centers and their facilities can also grow into this task," emphasizes Wagner-Scheid.
The discussion results are now to be incorporated by the two Union associations into the internal party position-finding process within the CDU at both state and federal levels. Wagner-Scheid and Schmitt are not only state chairpersons but also deputy federal chairpersons of their associations. Both summarize: "What becomes clear is that it is not enough to simply pass a law and then let it take effect. Some areas of life require additional support, such as through guidelines in the school sector. The goal must be to best uphold the dignity of those affected." In spring 2023, the traffic light government intends to present a first draft of the Self-Determination Act. Wagner-Scheid and Schmitt then want to examine its specific design closely and continue the joint discussion event.
