The Berlin district office of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg has filled a newly created role focused on queer issues: Kjell Seeger has recently begun working as the district’s “Queer Affairs Officer.” The district office announced the appointment on Wednesday. The position is meant to anchor queer concerns more firmly within the administration and to support the queer community in the district.
Previously, Kjell Seeger coordinated the queer@school education project of the Lambda Berlin-Brandenburg youth network. The aim is to bring queer topics into visibility, safety, and sustainability across different areas of life. At first, the focus is on building connections: “Networking, networking, networking.” Plans include a regular networking session at the district office with queer organizations and, for the coming year, a conference on violence prevention.
One of the major challenges cited by Seeger is the rising hostility toward queer people. In the district, many anti-queer incidents are reported, while queer projects still lack funding and spaces. “It’s burning at many corners.” The new position is described as only a small piece of the puzzle.
The term of the Berlin State Queer Commissioner, Alfonso Pantisano, ends on October 29 with the inaugural session of the new state parliament. The SPD politician had been named for only one legislative term.
