Homopolis Berlin
Whether it's a beer in the world-renowned Tom's bar, a tour in the unique gay museum or a cocktail in the smart Heile Welt bar - Berlin is with certainty one of the most fascinating metropolises for gays in Europe.
Here the modern homo-emancipation movement began with the engagement of the sexual scientist Magnus Hirschfeld more than 100 years ago, whose progress allowed a mayor in the last few years, as everybody knows, for the first time with Klaus Wowereit who could confess without any big problems to being gay.
Today visitor and guests expects a varied offer of cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs and parties as well as gay and lesbian culture in still growing together Berlin. Stage highlights are, for example, the TEDDY-Awards (the ceremony event for the most important gay-lesbian film prize worldwide in conjunction with the Berlinale in February), the fetish events at Easter, the huge gay-lesbian street fare in the Motzstrasse in June, the capital city's CSD (Pride Parade) on the third Saturday in June or Folsom Europe in the first weekend in September.
However, even without prominent events the homo's infrastructure of Berlin offers unique variety all year round. The pure size of the city, the result of 40 years of division and not least the distinctive alternative subculture of former West Berlin contribute to a colourful scene which ranges from alternative tradition up to the smart "Lounging" bar in the district Mitte; from the traditional leather bars in the district Schöneberg to the alternative scene in Kreuzberg. The concentrated events take place in six city center districts, each with its own charm.
For example, Schöneberg - in the "Bermuda triangle" on Nollendorf Square where many have got lost, only to appear again the next morning. Between Motzstrasse, Kleiststrasse and Martin Luther's street and in the closer surroundings visitors find a concentration of gay-lesbian infrastructure which came to fame over 100 years ago. Schöneberg is the traditional district with the oldest bars and the biggest variety. Smart cocktail bars, countless beer bars with darkrooms, a handful of sex shops and sex cinema as well as two discos all to be found here within a very small area.
From here it goes via Mitte. The booming (east) of the same name city center district between the Brandenburg Gate and Alexander's place is a starting point for most Berlin visitors. .
Directly to the north the charming, almost completely renovated district Prenzlauerberg. Here during the GDR times gays and lesbians met in half-dozen traditional locations. Meanwhile Prenzlauerberg has developed to another gay-lesbian centre where everything exists from bookstores, bars and bars with a darkroom as well as a sauna. With its informal atmosphere, the east district has retained its integrity.
Kreuzberg is also a big gay and lesbian family. Kreuzberger nights are not only long , but also especially colourful. Here imaginative parties are celebrated, here the nicest Drag queens and-Kings can be found in SchwuZ, which is steeped in tradition, the mother of the west Berliners scene.
(Fotos: Alain Rappsilber)
