First openly trans man in Luxembourg's police force combines sport and advocacy

Elias Scheer, the first openly trans man in Luxembourg's police force, uses his Instagram project Mënsch ass Mënsch (Luxembourgish for "Human is human", basically "all humans are equal") to combine his passion for triathlon with advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community. Through this initiative, he seeks to promote equality while challenging taboos around LGBTQIA+ topics in sports.

In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Télé, Scheer explained that his aim is to merge sports with LGBTQIA+ themes, which he believes are still "relatively taboo" in the athletic world. Through this platform, he also raises funds to support the Luxembourg LGBTQIA+ centre, CIGALE.

Scheer frequently observes the treatment that members of the LGBTQIA+ community receive and studies highlight the increased risk of mental health issues, including depression and suicidal thoughts, for individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex assigned to them at birth.

"I see how people are treated, and it's unpleasant to witness, especially when I've had a relatively positive experience while others suffer from depression or worse due to others' hostility," Scheer remarked. Despite having a mostly positive experience coming out, he still describes the process as "stressful," facing questions about how family, friends, and colleagues would react.

Fortunately, his concerns were unfounded: "People were very supportive," he shared. "They told me it wasn't an issue, and no one ostracised me in any way."

Scheer began his transition journey four years ago. Reflecting on this decision, he noted that the Covid-19 pandemic provided time for introspection: "I realised that the way I was living wasn't making me happy, so I decided to be honest with myself."

'He could finally be who he always had been'

Throughout Scheer's journey, his girlfriend, Laura Da Cruz, has been a steadfast supporter. Reflecting on the transition, Da Cruz shared that Scheer was "already a happy person on the outside," but once he began transitioning, "he truly started to thrive." She emphasised that, from that point forward, "he could be who he always wanted to be and who he always had been, in fact."

The couple celebrated each milestone, recognising and appreciating each change along the way. However, Scheer acknowledges that the path has not been entirely positive. Before beginning his transition, he sought extensive advice from the Intersex and Transgender association and the CIGALE Centre and conducted research on social media. Yet, he noted that online platforms often highlight only the positive aspects, which can obscure challenges like the frequency of surgeries or the potential for significant pain.

Lacking a local, real-life role model in Luxembourg's trans community, Scheer is determined to fill that role for others. He welcomes questions and aims to assist others on their journeys. Through his Instagram account, he actively works to dispel stereotypes about trans people and promote understanding.

In his role as a police officer, Scheer is also committed to advancing LGBTQIA+ inclusivity. As the first openly trans man in the Luxembourg police force, he began offering LGBTQIA+ training at the police academy in 2024. "I explain what each letter in LGBTQIA+ represents and work through various case studies with them," Scheer explained. This training aims to prepare officers for respectful and informed interactions with diverse members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

A role on the European stage

Elias Scheer also serves as Luxembourg's representative for the European LGBT Police Association (EGPA). This organisation collaborates with Europol, Frontex, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), the Council of Europe, and the two major European police unions, EU Pol and Eurocop. Through these partnerships, the EGPA provides training on LGBTQIA+ issues relevant to police work across Europe. 16 countries are members of the EGPA, with Luxembourg joining in 2024.

Scheer sees his role in Luxembourg as helping the police force continue to evolve by promoting awareness around LGBTQIA+ issues within the organisation. His goal, he explained, is "to ensure we provide the best possible service to citizens."

The police's values include objectivity and diversity, and Scheer appreciates being able to share his story openly in his work and through interviews. This level of openness, however, is not possible in every country. At international conferences, Scheer has met colleagues who must conceal their identities. "There are places where it's not accepted at all, where officers live a 'double life' because it's not tolerated," he noted. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) annually assesses the legal landscape for LGBTQIA+ rights in European countries. In 2024, Luxembourg ranks 7th, alongside Norway, with Malta leading, while Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Russia rank lowest.

For Scheer, sharing his story is both personal and purposeful. He remains committed to inspiring others to pursue their own paths and to standing against hate, striving to ensure equal treatment for everyone, regardless of gender, origin, religion, or sexual orientation. As he believes, all humans are equal–and he lives by that principle.