A German neo-Nazi figure notorious for making anti-LGBTQ remarks is set to be incarcerated in a women's prison after changing gender from male to female, sparking controversy.
On August 18 (local time), MDR reported that the Halle Public Prosecutor's Office in Germany notified far-right activist Marlesbena Libih (54) on August 12 that her prison sentence would be served at the Chemnitz Women's Prison in Saxony.
Libih, who was legally male at the time, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison in July 2023 on charges of incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult, and appealed the verdict, but the appeal was dismissed. In 2022, at the 'Christopher Street Day' LGBTQ festival, she caused multiple controversies by calling LGBTQ people "parasites of society" and referring to the LGBTQ community as "trans fascism."
However, after the Gender Self-Determination Act, which has been in effect since November last year, allowed individuals to change their gender and name without court approval, Libih abruptly changed her gender to female. Although she still keeps her beard, she has shown changes in appearance by wearing lipstick and accessories. After news of her gender change became public, criticism arose that this was an act of mocking the law and provoking the LGBTQ community.
The Gender Self-Determination Act stipulates that "gender alone does not have to be the sole criterion when incarcerating offenders." Prosecutors explained that, through an admission interview, they can determine whether a transfer is appropriate based on whether the inmate poses a threat to the safety and order of the prison. Libih claimed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that she is a "politically persecuted woman."
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