in february 2009, the village spokesperson of hohenstein, a city councillor in strausberg, jens knoblich joined the pirate party germany. in june 2009, bundestag member jörg tauss, who has been charged with the crime of child pornography possession and distribution, left the spd and joined the pirate party after the "zugangserschwerungsgesetz" was passed. he said that while he supports the fight against child pornography, the means are unacceptable. in late august 2009, herbert rusche, one of the founding members of the german green party and, in the 1980s, the first openly homosexual member of parliament in germany, joined the pirate party.