<img class="alignnone wp-image-65935 size-full" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/68045/HANNOVER-iStock-515863720-e1532955929994.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /><h2>Hannover</h2>The capital and largest city in Lower Saxony. Hannover is Germany's 13th largest city, with over 500,000 inhabitants. It is an important city in Northern Germany and has over a million people living in its metropolitan area.Founded in Medieval times, Hannover was an important river port city. In 1757 the city was invaded by the French but retaken by an Anglo-German force in 1758. The exiled King's German Legion of soldiers from Hannover played a key role in the Battle of Waterloo. Around 90% of Hannover was flattened in bombing raids during World War 2.After the war, the city constructed an old town by moving the surviving historic buildings to one area. Concurrent development left the city with a large collection of concrete buildings. That being said, there is a wide range of green space and cultural venues. The city is known as a conference destination. It has a small but vibrant gay scene.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Rights in Germany</h2>For information about gay rights in Hannover, please check out our <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/essential-guide-to-berlin/">Gay Berlin City Guide page</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Scene</h2>Hannover's gay scene is low-key in comparison to other German cities. However, the LGBT community are firmly established and embedded as part of city life. Hannover is home to <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/hannover-gay-saunas/">the oldest gay sauna</a> in Germany, and there are bars, cruise clubs and a dance club that cater to gay customers.Hannover Pride takes place every May and is a very popular event. At the annual Schützenfest (Marksman) festival, there is a gay tent with a joyful and carnivalesque atmosphere. The national Queer Film Festival also hosts events in Hannover, usually in the spring and October.&nbsp;<h2>Getting to Hannover</h2>By planeHannover Airport (HAJ) is located 11 km north of the centre of Hannover and is Germany's 11th largest airport. It is well-connected, mostly by budget airlines, to cities and leisure destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.From the airport you can take an S-bahn train into the centre. You will need a 2-zone ticket which will cost you €3.50. The journey takes around 17 minutes with services running twice an hour. You will not be able to catch a train between 1.30am and 4am so be prepared with other arrangements. Extra services run during big conferences.Taxis can be found outside of the arrivals area. You can also pre-arrange private transfers in advance. A standard taxi ride should cost around €20. The car rental centre is between Terminals A and B so ensure you have the appropriate documentation. The drive into the centre take around 20 minutes depending on traffic.By trainThe Hannover Hauptbahnhof is centrally located, making it an excellent gateway to the city. It is well-connected to cities in Germany by high speed ICE trains. There are international connections to the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland with some of these services running overnight (Nachtzug) where you can connect to the wider network.&nbsp;<h2>Getting around Hannover</h2>On footThe design of the city makes getting around on foot a great way to take in the city. There pavements are well-maintained and the area from Central Station to Kröpcke is completely pedestrianised.By public transportÜstra operates the public transport network in Hannover which is famous for its buses, trams and trains as some of them have been designed by internationally regarded designers. A single ticket starts at €2.40 and day tickets start at €5.40. Some tickets will need to be validated and inspectors operate on the service.Services run frequently throughout the day and there are irregular night bus, tram and rail services with more frequent night services on Fridays and Saturdays. There is  also a discount system that offers women discounted night travel. Download the transport app to make sure you have up to date travel information.By taxiTaxis are plentiful and can be found at ranks, hailed on the street or ordered in advance. Taxis are expensive in Hannover and it is advisable to take taxis in big groups to save money. Taxis are generally safe but take the obvious precautions just to be sure. Uber does not operate in Hannover.&nbsp;<h2>Where to Stay in Hannover?</h2>For a list of recommended hotels in Hannover, please see our <a href="https://www.travelgayhotels.com/Place/Hannover.htm">recommended hotels in Hannover page</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Things to See &amp; Do</h2>Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen - despite the fact that the British Royal Family (the House of Hanover) still owned the palace and its grounds, the RAF destroyed the majority of this baroque palace and its gardens in World War 2. Fortunately, the are was painstakingly reconstructed and one of the most important sights in the city.The New Town Hall - one of Hannover's main landmarks and opened by Emperor Wilhelm II in 1913. This eclectic style building no longer houses the city governance but does still host the registry office. You can take tours and take a unique lift (it takes a curved route) to the viewing platform in the dome.Galerie Luise - for upmarket shopping with a boutique feel this is your paradise.Marktkirche - this brick gothic Lutheran church was built in the 14th Century but damaged and restored during World War 2. It has 11 bells in its church tower and the Bell of Christ and Peace is the largest in the state and only used on special occasions.The Nanas - these playful and striking sculptures along the Leibnizufer are definitely worth the selfie. Designed by Niki de Saint Phalle as a commentary on how society views women.Wilhelm Busch Museum - a fascinating museum dedicated to the 19th Century cartoonist and caricaturist Wilhelm Busch. As well as works by Busch you will also find satirical works by Goya and Hogarth. It is located in the Georgengarten.Hanover State Opera - from September to June you will catch works of classic opera mixed with daring new works by new composers. The building suffered war damage but has gone through several renovations and improvements making it one of the best locations to catch live opera in Germany.Niedersachsenstadion - the home to Bundeslinga team Hannover 96 (or the Reds to fans). You can take in the atmosphere of a football game here as well as the large pop and rock concerts the venue infrequently hosts.&nbsp;<h2>When to Visit</h2>Hannover has an oceanic climate meaning the weather is cold for half the year and generally quite pleasant in the other half. Rain is infrequent throughout the year but sometimes the city can be dusted in snow and the Machsee will freeze over. Hannover tends not to get swarmed by visitors except for major events so check the calender.Other than the expos and conferences the city is known for, there is a wide range of festivals and events held throughout the year. It's Christmas markets, located throughout the city, offer Finnish fare, ice skating and Glühwein.  Schützenplatz hosts the second largest Oktoberfest in the world.&nbsp;<h2>Visa</h2>Germany is within the European Schengen visa area. If travelling from outside Europe, check to see if you require a Schengen visa.&nbsp;<h2>Money</h2>Germany is a member of the Eurozone. Cash dispensers are widely available. You may be asked for photo ID if paying with a credit or debit card in a shop.

Gay Hannover · City Guide

Planning a trip to Hannover? Then our gay Hannover city guide is for you.

Section 1741 of the German Civil Code grants all married couples the right to adopt children.

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

Same-sex couples in Germany can legally adopt a step-child, biological or not of the other partner.

The age of consent of 14 years is equal for everyone.

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

On April 1 2023, the Transfusion Act (Transfusionsgesetz, TFG) was amended to fully remove restrictions on blood donations by MSMs. 
Accordingly, the amendment to the law obliged the German Medical Association to subsequently adapt the blood donation guidelines within four months in agreement with the Paul Ehrlich Institute, Germany’s medical regulatory body.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

On September 24, 2021, new guidelines were introduced. Men in monogamous relationships with men can donate blood with no deferral. 
 
However, men who have sex with men outside of a monogamous relationship still face a 4 month deferral.

Article 5 of the German Basic Law guarantees freedom of press, speech and opinion.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

Following the amendment of the Act on the Amendment of Names and Sex Determination in Special Cases, known as the Law on Transsexuality (1981) by Judgment No. 1 BvR 3295/07 (2011) of the Federal Constitutional Court, the criteria for changing the name or both the name and the gender marker were unified. Currently, the law requires applicants to (i) prove that "due to their transsexual status, they do not feel comfortable with their sex registered at birth", (ii) they have lived for at least three years "in accordance with the gender they identify with" and (iii) that their "situation of transexuality is foreseeably stable". This procedure is carried out before a municipal judge, which has to verify that these requirements are met by subjecting the applicant to an examination carried out by two expert witnesses "specialised in transsexualism". (ILGA) 
 
In 2017, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSJ) commissioned the Humboldt University in Berlin to prepare an expert opinion on the "need for regulation and reform for transgender people". 
It found that the current assessment procedure is in many cases characterized by disproportionate time and expense as well as degrading and discriminatory experiences and violates the fundamental rights of the applicants. 
 
The non-governmental organization Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V. (dgti) issues a supplemental ID card which contains one's self-chosen first names, pronouns and gender before a legal name change has taken place. It is known and accepted by German ministries, the police, and many authorities. The supplemental ID card is often a condition to correct one's name at, among others, schools, universities, banks and insurance companies. In five German states, references to the ID have been included in coronavirus ordinances and associated explanations to recognize it as an identification document, e.g., together with vaccination certificates. 
It has a special status of recognition in Germany. The legal basis of the supplemental ID card is the implementation of the request of the European Parliament, communicated in the 11th legislative period of the German parliament. 
 
When the Self-Identification law was introduced, people who went through this old process could apply for a monetary compensation.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

The Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz) allows transgender, non-binary and intersex people to change their legal first names and gender identity once a year through self-identification. 
 
From the age of 14, minors may make the declaration themselves with the consent of their guardians; in order to protect the personal rights of young people, the family court can replace the parents' decision at the request of the minor in cases where the custodians do not consent, based on the best interests of the child. 
Children under 14 will need their parents or guardians to make a registry office application on their behalf. 
 
Outing or deadnaming one against their will in a way which caused them harm can be punished with a fine up to €10,000.

Section 8 § 1 of the German Transsexuellengesetz (Transsexuals Act of September 10, 1980) states that transgender people can change their first names and gender entry under the condition of gender-affirming surgery, sterilization, and divorce.

The Law for the Protection Against Conversion Treatments (KonvBehSchG) bans providing, arranging and advertising conversion therapy. Conducting conversion therapy on minors, or persons of legal age is those whose consent was obtained without their volition, is also explicitly banned. 
 
Providing, arranging or advertising conversion therapy is punishable by a fine up to €30,000. 
Carrying out conversion therapy on a minor, or an adult whose consent was obtained without their volition, is punishable by up to a year of imprisonment or a fine.

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

National law was amended in 2006 when the Treaty of Amsterdam was signed - giving all people the same rights under law. 
 
The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany clarified in 1 BvR 2019/16 that the general right of personality (Article 2 (1) in conjunction with Article 1 (1) of the Basic Law) protects gender identity. It also protects the gender identity of non-binary people. 
Article 3 (3) of the Basic Law includes non-binary people on the protection against discrimination on ground of their gender.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Due to Germany being a Federal Republic many states have had anti-discrimination laws as early as 1992. But by signing the Treaty of Amsterdam (EU) Germany amended its national anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation.  

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

Germany fully repealed section 175 of the German Criminal Code and legalized homosexual activity in 1994.

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

Section 175 of the Criminal Code was relaxed for persons over 21 years in East Germany in 1968, with West Germany following suit in 1969. However, although this meant that homosexual activity between men was decriminalized, it was not made legal.

Section 175 of the Criminal Code was amended during Nazi rule to create harsher penalties for homosexual behavior between men. Imprisonment was to range from three months to ten years in prison. Many homosexual men died in the Nazi concentration camps they were sent to.

Section 175 of the Criminal Code of the German Empire criminalized homosexual activity between men over the age of 18. 
The penalty was imprisonment or a loss of civil rights.

Section 1 of the General Act on Equal Treatment (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) prohibits discrimination on housing.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

A bill for marriage equality passed the Bundestag on 30 June 2017 and the Bundesrat on 7 July, becoming law on 1 October. 
Paragraph 1353 of the German Civil Code.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

Germany recognizes civil unions and provides tax benefits to couples in a civil union.

Article 3 (1) of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany and Article 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms protect against unequal treatment on grounds of sexual orientation. 

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

The Civil Status Act (PStG) was amended to include Parapraph 45b to allow intersex people to identify themselves as "diverse" ("divers") or remove the gender entry.

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

The Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz) applies (see: right to change legal gender).

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Hannover

Lower Saxony

Hannover, Tysklands grönaste stad, är känd för shopping, barockträdgårdar, slott och djurpark och är värd för några av världens största utställningar.

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Gay Hannover

Hannover, Tysklands grönaste stad, är känd för shopping, barockträdgårdar, slott och djurpark och är värd för några av världens största utställningar.

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