Special thanks from our side goes to our patron, Munich’s mayor Christian Ude, who has taken over the patronage for Fohn for the second time already.

Since the EuroGames 2004 at the latest the word has been spread all over Europe:

Munich as a city of tolerance and liberal-mindedness is an especially inviting and attractive address for gay/lesbian visitors. And the rich facilities of our city – from the multiplex diversity of Munich’s localities within the scene and the benefits and sights of the metropolis of arts and culture and Munich’s surroundings to the epitomes of high spirits such as the Munich Oktoberfest – only emphasize that: Especially for gay/lesbian guests, Munich is always worth a trip.

Thus I have gladly taken over again the patronage for the international young gay-lesbian meeting “Fohn” . Therefore I welcome all its participants in Munich.

Christian Ude, mayor of the state capital of Munich.

A sincere welcome to the international gay and lesbian youth meeting "foehn", also on behalf of the greens “Bündnis90/Die Grünen” of the Bavarian federal state parliament. I am pleased that you found your way to Bavaria. Yet a few years ago you would not take for granted to find Munich as an open-minded and tolerant city but to be welcomed with open arms.

Fortunately our society is further beyond homophobia than some politicians who govern it are. Even though conservative politicians here in Bavaria begin to accept recent realities as a sign of development in society, there still is a far way ahead of us.

I only remind you of the anti-discrimination law or of complete equalization of same sex civil unions, to mention some. One still need engaged men who self-evident demand their rights. I therefore appreciate that the international gay and lesbian youth meeting takes place here in Bavaria very much and I am pleased to receive you in the Bavarian federal state parliament.

To all the participants and especially the organisers of “diversity” I wish a successful youth exchange and some nice and interesting days in Bavaria.

Christine Stahl, MP (Gay and lesbian commissioner Bündnis90/Die Grünen)