In recent months, Germany has seen a sharp rise in hate crimes targeting the queer community. Figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior recorded 1,765 criminal offences in 2024 under the subcategory "sexual orientation" – an increase of around 18 percent compared to the previous year. The surge in attacks is largely attributed to the far right and is causing deep concern within the LGBT+ community, in a country long regarded as tolerant toward sexual and gender minorities – particularly in the capital Berlin. Our correspondents report.