Trans woman in the St. Wendel city council: Anna Zeyer is causing a stir!

Trans woman in the St. Wendel city council: Anna Zeyer is causing a stir!

A member of the AfD faction in the St. Wendel city council recently caused a stir by coming out as a trans woman. The person, who now goes by the name Anna Zeyer, announced that she wanted to use toilets and changing rooms for women in the future. This decision is accompanied by the city of St. Wendel confirming its name change, which has already been incorporated into the council information system. Even if the AfD's reaction to Zeyer's coming out remains unknown, the political situation surrounding the issue of gender identity and self-determination is complex.

The AfD has repeatedly spoken out against the law on self-determination with regard to gender entry (SBGG), which came into force on November 1, 2024. AfD member of the Bundestag Martin Reichardt described the SBGG as a “danger to women and children”. This law makes it easier for trans, intersex and non-binary people to change their gender and first name, which is possible through a simple declaration to the registry office, without the need for a court decision or an expert opinion.

Relevance of the new law

The SBGG replaces the Transsexuals Act, which has been in force since 1980, and the ID card regulations for intersex people. It protects the right to sexual self-determination, as emphasized by the Federal Constitutional Court. There are similar laws in over 16 countries that ensure comparable protection of the rights of trans and non-binary people. This reform also made it possible for old identification documents to become invalid after a name change and for new ones to have to be applied for.

Anna Zeyer is also treasurer of the St. Wendel district association, but is still listed under her deadname. Her political career is still fresh; She ran unsuccessfully for the state parliament in 2022. The current situation highlights the tensions within the AfD regarding how to deal with gender identity and self-determination.

Self-determination law and its social effects

The SBGG stipulates that the change in gender entry and first name must be reported to the registry office up to three months before the declaration. Minors up to 14 years of age require the consent of their legal representatives, while those aged 14 and over can make the declaration independently, although the consent of their parents is also required here. It is important that an isolated change to the first name is not possible without adjusting the gender entry.

Another notable detail is the disclosure ban, which protects people from forced outing based on previous gender records. The federal government estimates that around 4,000 changes can be expected annually, while some media reports indicate numbers between 6,000 and 15,000 registrations when the law first comes into force. An evaluation of the SBGG is planned within five years of its entry into force.

The changes made possible by the SBGG are closely related to Zeyer's coming out and the AfD's reaction. As the political debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Zeyer's situation will affect the AfD's internal structures and public image.

For more information about the law on self-determination in relation to gender entry, see BMFSFJ.

Additional details about the situation in St. Wendel can be found in the article by queer.de to find.