Openly Gay (FDP) leader set to become German Foreign Minister (ties aid to LGBT rights)

[denem]

Listening to Deutsche Welle today, I learned that the Free Democratic Party, which is described as the 'Pro Business Party', includes a liberal wing often at odds with the Catholic Church.

Two policies mentioned were:

-Restoring rights to privacy compromised since 9/11
-Tying aid to human rights, including LGBT rights.

The FDP increased it's vote form 8% to 15% in the 2009 election. Herr Westerwelle was quite clear during the campaign that under his leadership Germany would cut or end aid to countries that persecute homosexuals.

Following the results, an SPD official said "I don't want a gay foreign minister." Story below:

(AP)German official sorry for insulting gay leader

A German official has apologized for saying he did not want the country to have a gay man as foreign minister.

Guido Westerwelle, leader of the pro-business Free Democratic Party, is expected to become foreign minister. The party won 15 percent of the vote Sunday and is set to become kingmaker for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.

Westerwelle is openly gay and in a relationship. Neither he nor the public have made it an issue in his eight years as party leader.

Peter Langner, treasurer of the western city of Duisburg and a rival Social Democrat, said Sunday, "I don't want a gay foreign minister."

He apologized Monday, saying he spoke without reflecting first. He said he holds no prejudice against homosexuals.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1068633〈=eng_news