Diversity at the University of Freiburg
Freiburg, 20.06.2025
June is Pride Month designed to raise awareness about the rights of the LGBTQAI+ community. Promoting diversity, equality and inclusion is key to ensuring a fair and non-discriminatory university culture at the University of Freiburg.
On 28 June 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar on Christopher Street in New York City, fought back during a police raid. These Stonewall riots are considered one of the origins of the modern queer rights movement. Since then, Pride Month has highlighted the rights and struggle for equality of the LGBTQIA+ community and taken a stand against stigmatisation, criminalisation and exclusion.
More equality and inclusion at the University of Freiburg
As an employer of almost 8,500 staff and a teacher of more than 24,000 students, the University of Freiburg has a special responsibility to promote diversity and inclusion.
“Respect, appreciation and openness are our guiding principles at the University of Freiburg. We see ourselves as a cosmopolitan community in which everyone can develop their full potential – regardless of gender, origin, religion or sexual identity,” says Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek, Vice Rector for University Culture. “We are aware of the significant need for action that still exists at the University of Freiburg with regard to the LGBTIQ+ community. That is precisely why we are continuously developing our strategies for greater equality and inclusion, as demonstrated by the recent launch of our comprehensive diversity audit.”
“Respect, appreciation and openness are our guiding principles at the University of Freiburg. We see ourselves as a cosmopolitan community in which everyone can develop their full potential – regardless of gender, origin, religion or sexual identity.”
Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek
Vice Rector for University Culture, University of Freiburg
Gender and diversity in the second workshop of the Diversity Audit
Under the motto “Shaping Diversity,” the University of Freiburg is undergoing the Diversity Audit of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) until 2027. The aim is to develop and expand a university-wide strategy for equality, diversity and inclusion that addresses all dimensions of diversity. The audit process is aimed at all members of the University and includes five internal workshops.
The next workshop will take place on 23 June 2025 and will focus specifically on anchoring and further developing gender and diversity aspects in research and teaching content. Researchers and teachers from all disciplines at the University of Freiburg are invited to attend, as are individuals who help shape research and teaching at the University. In addition to the workshops, round tables, expert committees and diversity forums for exchange with other universities are also planned.
Further Information
Representation of queer students by the Rainbow Committee
The StuRa’s Rainbow Committee is a student representative body for queer* students that promotes sexual and gender diversity at the university. In addition to educational and press work, the working group also organises a joint leisure programme and opportunities for sharing experiences. Students and non-students alike are welcome to attend the open plenary meetings, which take place every Monday at 8:15 p.m. at Wilhelmstraße 26. The department also organises events in June and July.
Programm in June / July:
- 20.06: paint banner for the CSD parade
- 26.06: Movie night Pride in KoKi
- 27.06: Comedy-Show „Amy aus Versehen“ by Avelo (Marlene Bellissimo, a trans women and comedian living in Berlin)
- 04.07: Pink Party
- 09.07: Lecture by Ellie Anderson: ‘In Defence of Sartre’s “Woman on a Date”: Erotic Ambivalence and Bad Faith’