For a few days now, a message has been circulating on the Internet that has caused many users to be up in arms. It is said that KiKA, the children's channel of ARD and ZDF, introduced a queer person named "Mr. Ingeborg" in the over sixty-year-old series "Our Sandman". According to the report, Mr. Ingeborg was born male but identifies as female, identified by a green dress, makeup, lipstick, a mustache and a bald head.
This led to a flood of inquiries for us. Many users were unsettled and suspected that it could be a deliberate fake to undermine the credibility of the public broadcaster. However, after research, we can confirm that it is not a fake. In fact, the character of Mr. Ingeborg has found his way into the world of the Sandman.
The popular children's program “Our Sandman”, which has been broadcast on ARD and ZDF since 1959, has set a new milestone in its long history. For the first time, a transsexual character named “Mr. Ingeborg” was introduced. Mr. Ingeborg is a vividly dressed figure with a bald head and a mustache who identifies himself as a woman and appears in the episode "The Dark Planet". However, this innovation caused a wave of indignation and controversy.

Mr. Ingeborg
Mr. Ingeborg is not a typical character you would expect to see in a children's show. She breaks gender stereotypes and challenges traditional norms. His portrayal is fascinating and deliberately contrasting: beard and bald head, which are typically associated with masculinity, combined with a green dress, pearl necklace and make-up, which are considered feminine.
In this episode, Mr. Ingeborg needs the help of Timmi the rocket pilot and his friend Teddy to replace a light bulb in their lighthouse. Her request is metaphorically profound: she needs light to be seen in the darkness, much like the queer community that often struggles for recognition and visibility in society.
It is noteworthy that the character “Mr. Ingeborg” in the show “Our Sandman” is not new. The episode with Mr. Ingeborg, “The Dark Planet”, celebrated its television premiere on September 23, 2021 on RBB .

The focus of this episode is the lighthouse keeper Mr. Ingeborg. The episode was last broadcast on KiKa on July 22, 2023 and sent the youngest viewers to bed.
What's interesting about this situation is that the episode has been airing for almost two years now and hasn't caused much of a stir so far. Only now, with the re-broadcast and the increasing discussion about transgender issues, does the character “Mr. Ingeborg” seem to have reached a wider public and sparked controversy.
This highlights social change and the growing attention to issues of gender identity. It also shows how controversy and debate can often be sparked by context and timing, rather than just the content itself.
Inclusion as an educational mission
The introduction of a transsexual character in a children's program raises questions about the responsibility of public broadcasters. They are obliged to cover a wide range of topics and perspectives and thereby fulfill their program mandate. You have the opportunity to reflect the diversity of society with your content and to sensitize children to issues such as equality, tolerance and inclusion.
A wave of controversy
Criticism and outrage
The decision to introduce a queer character in Our Sandman has led to a strong reaction from various media and political groups. Right-wing media outlets have criticized the channel, calling the portrayal inappropriate for a children's show. They see it as a form of “aggressive gender propaganda” and “trans ideology”.
The strong reactions that the character “Mr. Ingeborg” has provoked are in many ways a reflection of the current social debate about gender identity, inclusion and the role of the media in children’s education.
Take for example some of the comments we received from users:
- “The comments below really make you shake your head. No child in the world becomes trans because of this.”
- “KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR CHILDREN!!!”
- "What a shit... This is the very last thing!!"
- “To all parents: protect your children from this shit”
- “I watched The Gummi Bears as a child. Am I a gummy bear now or what?”
- “Yes, I’ll put it this way: it’s nice that my children were allowed to grow up to normal heights”
- “Dude, here we go. Leave the children out of there. You can only shake your head at Germany. The media has become so bad.”
These comments illustrate the variety of reasons why people might react so strongly to this innovation:
- Unknown or new concepts : Transsexuality and non-binary gender identities are topics that are becoming increasingly important in society, but for many people they are still unknown or difficult to understand. This can lead to insecurity and fear, especially when it comes to influencing children.
- Fear of change : “Our Sandman” is a show that has been established for decades and has reached generations of children. The introduction of a transgender character is a significant change that is causing resistance from some viewers.
- Concern about media presence : Many of the comments express concern about the increasing presence of issues such as transsexuality in the media, particularly in media aimed at children.
- Misunderstandings about the impact of representation : Some comments suggest a misunderstanding of how the representation of diversity in the media influences children's identity formation. Some users mistakenly believe that portraying transsexuality in a children's show could lead to children becoming transsexual themselves. However, it is important to emphasize that while media can help promote understanding and acceptance of diversity, it cannot change a child's fundamental gender identity.
It is also necessary to mention that these types of comments are not representative of the opinions of all viewers. There are also many people who welcome the introduction of “Mr. Ingeborg” as a positive step towards greater inclusion and diversity in the media.
The sender's reaction
The MDR viewed the criticism and outrage with sober realism. They emphasize that “Rocket Pilot Timmi” is a story that takes place in an invented universe and takes the liberty of telling special and surprising characters. Since the episode aired in 2021, they have received feedback from parents that is within the usual range.
Conclusion: A step towards diversity
Introducing a transgender character in a children's show like Our Sandman is a bold step towards diversity and inclusion. While the decision has drawn criticism, it has also sparked an important debate about the role of the media in conveying gender identities and representing diversity.
| Claims | Fact check |
|---|---|
| KiKA has included a queer person named “Mr. Ingeborg” in the Sandman series. | Confirmed: The character “Mr. Ingeborg,” who identifies as a woman, was actually introduced in the “Our Sandman” series. |
| “Mr. Ingeborg” wears a green dress, make-up and lipstick, has a mustache and is bald. | Confirmed: This description of the character corresponds to the depiction in the show. |
| “Mr. Ingeborg” was born a man and now identifies as a woman. | Confirmed: “Mr. Ingeborg” identifies as a woman in the show, even though the character has characteristics that are typically considered male. |
| KiKA wants to use this figure to influence the youngest viewers. | Undefined: It is true that children's programs can have an impact on their audience. However, this is more of an interpretation than a concrete fact. The station has stated that it wants to reflect the diversity of society in its programming. |
| The introduction of “Mr. Ingeborg” is a deliberate fake. | Wrong: After thorough research, it has been shown that “Mr. Ingeborg” is actually a new character in the “Our Sandman” series. |
Also read: “GACHIP Chip” for children and microchip myths: fact check and TikTok analysis
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

