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Acceptance and Respect Statement Signed

The Chancellor of the University of Lübeck promotes diversity

On 16 August 2019, Sandra Magens, Chancellor of the University of Lübeck, signed the Lübeck Acceptance and Respect Statement. This step sees the university joining the Schleswig-Holstein Alliance for Acceptance and Respect.

Since 2014, the alliance, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Youth, Family and Senior Citizens of Schleswig-Holstein, has been networking and supporting LGBTIQ stakeholders and projects in Schleswig-Holstein. LGBTIQ* stands for lesbian, gay, bi, trans*, inter*, and queer. The evening dedicated to the topic of “trans in the workplace” that was organised by the University of Lübeck in 2017 was also financially supported by the action plan for acceptance and respect.

Against discrimination

In the wording of the statement: “The goal of the Lübeck statement is a broad societal alliance that strongly opposes racism, violence, hate, and intolerance, and promotes sexual and gender diversity.” The university sees itself as a responsible stakeholder in this societal alliance. “The University of Lübeck believes in acceptance and respect, and valuing diversity. We strongly oppose discrimination. A collective voice is stronger than a single one, and so we are happy to speak together with all partners from the Schleswig-Holstein Alliance for Acceptance and Respect,” says  Sandra Magens, Chancellor of the University of Lübeck. The university’s mission statement and diversity profile underline its commitment to this active approach.

The university is involved in promoting gender diversity in various ways. For example, it has had a homo-, bi-, inter*- and trans*-counselling centre since 2017. The topic is also being increasingly integrated into teaching and internal training. Since 2018, greater sensitivity to gender has been visible in administrative language in the form of a gender asterisk*. The students are involved in various ways, too. For example, in 2019 the General Student Committees  from Lübeck’s three universities organised a Queer Week for the second time. Dr. Jonathan Kohlrausch is responsible for the topic of gender diversity at the University of Lübeck. “It is very noticeable and I'm pleased that gender diversity is becoming more visible, and that our actions are making a contribution to greater acceptance and appreciation,” says Kohlrausch.

 

This press release has been written in gender-sensitive language in accordance with the guidelines from the Head of our Department for Equality and Family.

Signs of Diversity: Sandra Magens at the signing of the statement (Photos Elena Vogt / University of Lübeck) Jonathan Kohlrausch (front left), Andreas Witolla from the Schleswig-Holstein Lesbian and Gay Association and Sandra Magens at the signing of the statement.