Prejudice or opportunity? When the LGBTQ+ community moves to the country | DW Documentary
Queer people who live in rural areas and come out often face major challenges. While the LGBTQ+ community has battled to secure its place in urban centers, out in the provinces, worlds frequently collide.
“I could move to the big city like so many others do, but I want to make a difference.” Eric is gay and lives in a small town in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, where he struggles to find acceptance. Especially when he organizes the region’s first Pride parade. “The district is a right-wing stronghold. Many people around me are concerned and afraid,” he says. Against all odds and defying prejudice, Eric goes ahead with the Pride event, amid a large police presence. Will the celebration pass off peacefully in this small town? “I used to know many people who actually think homosexuality is a disease,” says Eric.
For a long time, Tina, who comes from a small village in the Black Forest region, struggled to accept herself. When she wanted to have a child, she moved back to her home village with wife Sarah. But with four generations living under her parents’ roof, the couple is finding things hard: “We did wonder if it would work out, because you’re moving to a village and leaving the anonymity of the big city behind,” says Tina.
Christian is also about to leave Berlin to live with his fiancé Jens in a small village in Mecklenburg. They plan to live in a house that Christian has inherited, but until now the building has housed the village’s only pub – which has had to close to make way for the couple. Will they ever find acceptance in the village?
When Joe came out as non-binary around two years ago and started wearing skirts and makeup, it was mainly Joe’s mother who had to field questions from people in the small East Frisian village where they live. Joe is keen to change their name on their official ID, in line with Germany’s Self-Determination Act, but the registry office is uncooperative. “It was one of the worst phone calls of my life,” says Joe. But they are not giving up.
The documentary allows viewers to witness quiet struggles as well as moments of solidarity. It demonstrates that social change and acceptance can develop outside of urban centers. Rural communities, too, can be places where queer people find ways to assert their place in society.
[Warning: This documentary addresses the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is suffering from serious emotional strain or suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek professional help. You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you live in the world, on this website: https://www.befrienders.org/ ]
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Video “Prejudice or opportunity? When the LGBTQ+ community moves to the country | DW Documentary” was uploaded on 11/19/2025 by DW Documentary Youtube channel.