Based on the personal accounts of trans people living in Germany, the experience of finding community, safety, and support is highly dependent on the specific city or region. Here are the main themes that emerge from their stories.
The Importance of Location Your experience in Germany can vary dramatically depending on where you live. Certain cities are consistently described as safe havens with open-minded communities. For instance, one person shared, "From my experience I can vouch for Leipzig in East Germany as a public opinion wise pretty comfortable place to live in (coming from a poc trans man). Hell, my fucking church was really trans supportive" - glitteringfeathers source [citation:9de92630-f02a-4511-9973-3045df447939]. Similarly, Hamburg is noted for being "politically, it’s far to the left and as far as I know, people are pretty open-minded" - so_phiielix source [citation:94b08c97-b10d-4446-82d6-c58bbb91f39e]. In contrast, regions like Bavaria and Saxony (outside of Leipzig) are strongly advised against.
Challenges in Healthcare and Daily Life Accessing gender-affirming healthcare is a significant challenge in many parts of the country, which can be a major source of stress. There are stark warnings about specific areas, with one person advising, "do not under any circumstances think about Aachen or Freiburg... trying to access healthcare will kill you on the inside. Also, avoid Bavaria, the people approving healthcare there are terrible" - glitteringfeathers source [citation:9de92630-f02a-4511-9973-3045df447939]. Socially, the language itself can be a barrier, as another person explained, "EVERYONE is gendered here by everyone. The starting conversation is always 'hello [gender]'" - RegularUser02x source [citation:6a10268b-c3f9-4ab4-9f0b-68751bc03a1b], which can be particularly difficult for non-binary and visibly trans individuals.
A Network of Support and Resources Despite the challenges, there is a strong sense of community support and formal resources available, especially for youth. One person who had recently experienced homelessness offered help, stating, "I can send you resources if you feel comfortable telling my your general area... There are a LOT of resources for young people like us" - Oper-Nate-or source [citation:3324fedf-6a7b-41b2-be48-858ce0855ed8]. On a national level, Germany has also enacted supportive laws, and organizations like the Bundesverband Trans are key resources for navigating legal and social challenges.
A Mixed Reality of Expectations Some individuals expressed that Germany's reputation for inclusivity did not always match their personal experience. One person shared a sense of disappointment, noting, "I think germany is so far from being inclusive and free of racism. So many apots are either full of terf cis people or just non existant. The facist group growing and I personally was disappointed too" - Advanced_Future8185 source [citation:d28229bb-f812-4d99-8676-403ec1acfbaf]. This highlights that while safe spaces exist, the broader social environment can still be difficult.
In summary, the journey for trans people in Germany is one of contrasts. While there are very real challenges with healthcare, discrimination, and social norms, there are also cities known for their support, strong community networks ready to help, and progressive laws. Finding your community and accessing the right resources in a supportive city can make a profound difference in feeling safe and affirmed.