Measures in the Area Sexual Identity

Prizes and Honors

The Bertha Ottenstein Prize of the University of Freiburg recognizes and promotes innovative projects and structural measures in the area of gender equality as well as outstanding achievements in the area of women’s studies and gender research. The Bertha Ottenstein Prize can be awarded to individual students or employees of the university, groups of students or employees, or entire departments or institutes.
The Bertha Ottenstein Prize was awarded for a project in the area of gay and lesbian studies for the first time in 2009. The edited volume queere (t)ex(t)perimente is a junior research project initiated by three University of Freiburg students. The editors made a conscious decision not to accept any contributions from established queer theorists, thus giving young national and international early-stage researchers the chance to publish. The innovative character of the project can also be seen in the fact that the volume combines scholarly articles with essays, poems, collages, comics, and photographs – a first in the theory-based research literature of gender and queer studies.

Section for Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals of the u-Asta

The members of the Section for Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals of the u-Asta (Independent General Student Committee) follow the goal of raising awareness for homo- and bisexuality as well as transgender people at the University of Freiburg. The section provides opportunities to exchange experiences and offers advice on coming out. The members of the section also organize the gay-lesbian student “Pink Party,” which is held once each semester.
Link to the Section for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals

Specific Measures for Employees

General Equal Treatment Law Course (E-Learning, internal)

Employees of the University of Freiburg are invited to take an e-learning course on the topics of the German General Equal Treatment Law (AGG). The course participants receive information on forms and consequences of discrimination and how to assert one’s rights.

Optional Employee Benefits

In accordance with the German Law on Civil Partnerships, the University of Freiburg grants same-sex couples the same options in cases of birth, illness, or the death of one’s partner.