The new coalition of Vienna's municipality has developed a dedicated programme for LGBTQ individuals. The plans include the creation of a "transgender medicine centre", along with various other measures aimed at supporting LGBTQ groups.

The Austrian outlet Exxpress obtained and published parts of the 191-page plan, which was developed by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPO) and his team in partnership with the NEOS party. The two parties call their alliance the „upswing coalition.” The programme outlines the main goals of the coalition, which include social cohesion, economic strengthening, and modern education. The full document is divided into five chapters and numerous sub-sections, one of which is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ programmes.

Vienna: „Proud Rainbow Capital”

„Vienna is opening a new chapter”, reads the beginning of the coalition agreement’s table of contents. This also applies to the LGBTQ policies that have been supported by Vienna’s city leadership for years. A specific chapter in the program is devoted to members of the LGBTQ community.

Vienna is proud to be Austria’s rainbow capital. We consciously declare ourselves an LGBTQ Freedom Zone,

reads the draft, which states that

this plan includes exploring the creation of a trans medicine centre and establishing an interdisciplinary network of various medical and psychological disciplines.

Although the draft would ban sex reassignment surgery on children, it is permissive in other areas. Among other things, it calls for a scientific needs assessment to be carried out to identify the everyday challenges faced by LGBTQ people and supports the preparation of the „Queer in Wien II” study.

Die Neuauflage der rot-pinken Wiener Stadtregierung hat ein eigenes Programm für „LGBTIQ+“-Personen. Unter anderem plant sie die Einrichtung eines „Zentrums für Transmedizin“. Exxpress liegt ein Entwurf des gesamten Koalitionsabkommen vorab vor. https://t.co/8a3rICY5oc

— exxpress (@exxpressat) June 3, 2025

The Austrian opposition was outraged by the proposal. Politicians from the OVP and FPO consider the plan unnecessary and urge the city leadership to focus on more pressing issues.

There is no need for a transgender medical centre,

Caroline Hungerlander, OVP city councilor, told Exxpress. She fears that such an institution would move away from providing result-oriented counselling and instead lobby groups would dictate the rules.

„We fundamentally oppose using taxpayer money to further support transgenderism. When creating new institutions, it is essential that critical voices are also heard. The mixing of activists and counselors must not continue. It must be clearly separated who is advising children and young people, and who is acting as a lobbyist for an ideological agenda,”

Hungerlander emphasized.

The FPO also criticised the city leadership’s plans regarding the centre.

Woke insanity is permanently taking over Vienna. Instead of finally focusing on getting Vienna’s healthcare system back among the best in the world, Mayor Ludwig is bowing down to the LGBTQ community.

said Maximilian Krauss, FPO’s city councilor, in a statement.

The politician finds it unacceptable that „tens of millions of euros are being allocated to a marginal group” while pensioners are facing austerity measures. He does not understand why such projects should be implemented „during times of massive tightening.” The Viennese politician also takes a critical view of the planned „Queer in Wien II” study, which is also financed from taxpayers’ money.

Die Neuauflage der rot-pinken Wiener Stadtregierung hat ein eigenes Programm für „LGBTIQ+“-Personen. Unter anderem plant sie die Einrichtung eines „Zentrums für Transmedizin“.
‼️ Was denkst Du? Braucht es ein eigenes „Zentrum für Transmedizin” in Wien? #pride #lgbtq #exxpressat pic.twitter.com/WJlhaoJMWV

— exxpress (@exxpressat) June 3, 2025