diversity is “necessary to survive””/> Former pole vaulter Balian Buschbaum says diversity is “necessary to survive”
Source: dpa/-
Balian Buschbaum has had exciting years since retiring as a pole vault ace. He sees his gender change as a great blessing. The last chapter of his new book is logically titled: “Everything is fine.”
“How I became who I always was” – arouses curiosity, sounds paradoxical. But this is how Balian Buschbaum lives today, this is how he always wanted to be. And that’s why he could hardly describe his new world in a single sentence better than in the subtitle of his new book. Buschbaum won two bronze medals in pole vaulting at the European Outdoor Championships and finished sixth at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. In 2007, he announced his gender reassignment. The 41-year-old now lives a happy life as a man.
Given his CV, it is not surprising that Buschbaum in particular has a lot to say on the topic of diversity. “Why diversity concerns us all” – that’s the name of his 379-page work, which was published on Wednesday.
The former track and field athlete had previously written “Blue Eyes Stay Blue”: Buschbaum spoke openly and with subtle humor about his difficult operations, hormone therapy, the reactions of those around him, and his personal ups and downs. The second book “Women want to talk, men want sex” is a funny analysis across all genders and borders.
Breaking up encrusted constructs and beliefs
Since his transition, Buschbaum has lived a self-determined life, as he repeatedly emphasizes. “At the time, I had a path ahead of me to address the physical transformation. Today I say: It’s a blessing that I did that,” said Buschbaum.
He works as a coach – also in competitive sports – and as a speaker, organizes workshops on diversity and change management. He also does persuasion work in administrations and companies, gives lectures in schools, advocates diversity in working environments – and above all for breaking up encrusted constructs and beliefs and conveying a new awareness.
“Diversity is necessary to survive. It doesn’t matter whether it’s taller, smaller, fatter, thinner, a different sexual orientation or gender identity. No matter what we bring with us: It has to be lived. Everything that exists has a right to exist,” explains Buschbaum.
Born in Ulm, he lives in Aschaffenburg and often talks about his experiences. “It is always difficult to explain the transformation process to people who have not walked this path. In Germany, our laws are simply not advanced enough to make this process quicker and easier for people,” he says. “It’s about accepting people for who they are. Everyone knows deep down who or what they are.”
The former competitive athlete wishes for politics and society: “We need a self-determination law. If we abolish the transsexual law, which is completely outdated, then we won’t have all that bureaucracy, such as psychological reports, any more. Anything else is patronizing.”
Buschbaum 2002 at the German Indoor Athletics Championships in Sindelfingen
Source: Bongarts/Getty Images/Anja Heinemann
Buschbaum prefers to use the term “trans*normal” instead of the usual terms such as transident or transsexual. Because he is convinced that the other terms can have negative connotations or be misinterpreted. Once gender reassignment is complete, the “trans” can be deleted: “Because these people live a completely normal life and can now call themselves man-woman-diverse, whatever-you-want-to-be-person.”
Buschbaum has long been an expert not only for linguistic subtleties, but also for very practical things: With a detailed guide he wants to help trans people, their relatives and therapists on the way to their true identity. But his new book is not just a socio-political plea. He talks about his appearances on the RTL dance show “Let’s Dance”, about his trip around the world, his experiences with the erection prosthesis, his passion for sport, his Corona time – and about the great loves of his life.
Buschbaum with “Let’s Dance” partner Sarah Latton
Quelle: Getty Images/Mathis Wienand
Also of his deceased “Omili”, who once at a TV evening together when a report about people living differently like Elton John, Hape Kerkeling, Freddy Mercury and Hella came out of her mind, said: “Oh, what a fuss they are making. Everyone should live the way they want.”
