Gender-sensitive language as implementation of the constitutional requirement for equal rights

A legal expert's report, released on December 16th, shows that gender-equitable language including the "Genderstern", referring the use of an asterix in German to denote that the word also addresses non-binary peoples, represents a consistent implementation of constitutional requirements. The findings constitutionally oblige the state to use gender-equitable official language on the basis of the requirement of equality, the right of personality and the prohibition of gender discrimination. Also important in this context is the BVerG ruling on the protection of the general right of personality, which condemns existing two-gender language norms as discriminatory.

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Lembke is a professor of law at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and wrote the expert opinion on behalf of the City of Hanover.

The complete expert opinion and a summary of the main findings can be downloaded in German below.