Germany’s Franciscan friars have elected an openly gay brother as their new leader, who becomes one of the most high-profile out LGBTQ+ church leader to date. The friars of the Province of St. Elizabeth, which includes all of Germany, held their provincial chapter earlier this year. Just weeks before it, Br. Markus Fuhrmann came out as gay to his confreres. Fuhrmann stated that the decision to be out was necessary in allowing him to be truthful to himself and to his values. In an interview with MK—Online, a media outlet of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, Fuhrmann said.