Traffic light dispute in Hildesheim: Court rejects lawsuit against equality!

Traffic light dispute in Hildesheim: Court rejects lawsuit against equality!

In Hildesheim everything remains the same, because the same-sex traffic light couples are still allowed to light up. A man who sees himself as “conservative of values” has sued this innovative form of traffic signs, but that Hanover Administrative Court dismissed the lawsuit as inadmissible. The complaining councilor did not appear at the hearing and argued that the traffic light man was affecting his upbringing style and that he felt he was being treated unequally.

Judge Arne Gonschior made it clear that there was no apparent violation of road traffic regulations and emphasized that the traffic light signs reflected social reality. “The regulations do not protect the plaintiff individually,” said Gonschior. The decision ensured legal peace, but the plaintiff can now submit an application for an appeal to the Lower Saxony Higher Administrative Court.

Social reality and traffic light motifs

Since mid-June, Hildesheim has shown green same-sex couples on 14 traffic lights. The discussion about these traffic light motifs began in June 2023 after a council decision to convert, which even caused tumultuous scenes in the council. The plaintiff councilor had announced that he would take action against this council decision, and at the same time a second procedure is already underway.

But Hildesheim is not alone. Same-sex traffic light motifs have also been in use for a long time in cities like Hanover and Braunschweig. Hanover introduced these traffic lights in 2020 and Braunschweig in 2022. This makes it clear that the traffic light man not only continues the tradition of traffic signs, but also represents a symbol of diversity and tolerance in Germany's cities.

Committed initiatives in other cities

However, the discussion about same-sex traffic light motifs goes far beyond Hildesheim. In Bremen, the Greens have started a signature collection to install 26 pedestrian lights with queer motifs by the end of the year. This number is symbolic of the 26 anti-queer crimes that were registered in Bremen in 2024. "This shouldn't become an everyday occurrence. Not in Bremen. Not anywhere!" was the clear message from the Bremen Greens.

The origin of this initiative has its origins in Vienna, where the first traffic lights with same-sex motifs were installed in 2015 at the time of the Eurovision Song Contest. This campaign led to worldwide coverage and has since been adopted by numerous cities.

The installation of same-sex traffic light motifs not only acts as a traffic sign, but also as a sign of remembrance and solidarity with the queer community. At a time when visibility and safety for queer people are more important than ever, such developments send a positive signal.

It remains to be seen how the discussion about the traffic light motifs in Hildesheim and other cities will develop. What is certain, however, is that the colorful pairs of traffic lights not only stand for road safety, but also for open-minded and diverse coexistence in our cities.