quote:German LGBT groups are expressing outrage over reports that police in three German states are keeping secret computer files on gays.
Der Spiegel reports that the names of gays who have been in any way involved in the legal system - either as suspects, victims or witesses - are being gathered on the database.
The three states are identified as Bavaria, Thuringia, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Both Bavaria and Thuringia are ruled by conservative governments. North Rhine-Westphalia is governed by a center-left coalition of Social Democrats and Greens.
By entering "omosex" German for homosexual, police can call up all data files on cases in which gays have been involved. The database also reportedly allows for subcategories to be entered - such as groups, meeting places, or types of sex such as S&M.
Gay groups have denounced the database is intrusive. A member of the federal parliament goes further. Volker Beck, who often speaks out on subjects of concern to the LGBT community says it conjures up memories of the country's Nazi past.
"[It] brings up unpleasant memories of old police practices such as the keeping of 'pink lists,'" Volker said in a letter to the interior ministers of the three states.
The "pink lists" were kept by the Nazis of all suspected gays and used to persecute them.
From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003
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DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490
posted 26 July 2005 11:00 PM
At least the Stasi just spied on everybody.
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001
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Yst
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9749
posted 27 July 2005 03:33 AM
Well surely if police in Bavaria are collecting the identities of sexual minorities, they can only have the best interests of those minorities in mind, right?
Right?
Oi...
From: State of Genderfuck | Registered: Jun 2005
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Papal Bull
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7050
posted 27 July 2005 03:49 AM
Ein Zwei Polizei, eh?
Anyways, I'd truly be worried if the Christian Democrat or whatever they are called, assumed power. At this point, it is an evil intrusion into lives that should be stopped.
From: Vatican's best darned ranch | Registered: Oct 2004
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CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117
posted 27 July 2005 11:56 AM
The question I would ask, is why would they create the database in first place? Gays are no more likely to commit serious crimes then anyone else, so why do they need it? I guess it could be used to titilate closeted policemen, but that's about it.
It's a shame, I thought Germany was gay friendly. I guess I was wrong
From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003
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raccunk
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9151
posted 27 July 2005 12:54 PM
Well this is disturbing. I have always viewed Germany as a fairly gay friendly place myself. Openly gay individuals are allowed in the military there. I can't see why they would have such a discriminatory database. Perhaps they are copying the US's registration of middle eastern men.
From: Zobooland | Registered: May 2005
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Email this thread to someone!
posted 26 July 2005 10:40 PM
