Where It All Began: Berlin’s Queer & Trans History Tour

️‍ The "World's First Gay Man"

Our tour begins at Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Straße 1, named after the man often called the world’s first gay rights activist. Karl Heinrich Ulrichs was one of the earliest people to publicly advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality, defining queer identities long before the word “homosexual” even existed. His ideas laid the foundation for modern LGBTQIA+ movements worldwide.

️ The Persecution of LGBTQIA+ in Nazi Germany

At Nollendorfplatz, the heart of Berlin’s LGBTQIA+ history, we uncover the stories of Adolf Brand and right-wing gay activists, the complex role of Ernst Röhm and openly gay Nazis, and how Hitler’s stance on homosexuality led to mass persecution. We also explore The Night of the Long Knives, when Röhm and many other queer individuals within the Nazi party were executed. This stop sheds light on LGBTQIA+ persecution in Nazi concentration camps, where people were forced to wear the pink triangle, and the resilience of those who resisted oppression.

⚢ Lesbian Life, Music & Resistance

This stop focuses on lesbian life in 1920s Berlin, a thriving yet often overlooked part of queer history. We visit the site of Toppkeller, a famous lesbian bar, and explore how spaces like these provided community and safety for queer women. We also discuss the cultural impact of Claire Waldoff, a lesbian cabaret singer whose songs became anthems of defiance, and Josephine Baker, the bisexual performer who became a sex symbol for all genders.

Christopher Isherwood & The Queer Inspiration for Cabaret

At this location, we explore the homosexual department of the Berlin police force, a surprising yet significant aspect of LGBTQIA+ history. This stop also highlights gay male life in 1920s Berlin, featuring the story of Christopher Isherwood, whose writings about his experiences in Berlin inspired the famous Cabaret musical and film. We also discuss his relationship with Heinz Neddermeyer and their escape from Nazi Germany as queer refugees.

The World's First LGBTQIA+ Rights Movement

Magnus Hirschfeld’s groundbreaking work in LGBTQIA+ activism is at the center of this stop. We discover his Institute for Sexual Science, as well as the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, the world’s first organization dedicated to queer rights and gender studies. We explore his theories on sexual intermediaries, the concept of Berlin’s third gender, and the world’s first gender-affirming surgeries performed on Dora Richter, Lili Elbe, and Karl M. Baer. We also discuss the fight against Paragraph 175, which criminalized homosexuality, and the destruction of the Institute by the Nazis, a devastating loss for queer history.

Drag & Queer Nightlife (Former Site of Eldorado)

This location was once home to Eldorado, one of Berlin’s most famous drag bars of the 1920s. Eldorado was a hotspot for gender-nonconforming people, queer performers, and even high-profile Nazis like Ernst Röhm, who paradoxically frequented the club while being part of a regime that later persecuted LGBTQIA+ people.

Post-War Queer Activism & A Trans Icon

At this stop, we discuss post-war LGBTQIA+ activism in Berlin. We explore Homosexuelle Aktion West-Berlin, one of the first queer rights organizations after WWII, and the founding of SchwuZ, one of Berlin’s most iconic queer clubs. We also highlight the life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a trans woman who preserved Berlin’s queer history and created safe spaces for the community in East Berlin.

The Trans Community & Queer Club Revolution

This stop highlights West Berlin’s trans community in the 1970s and 1980s, exploring the impact of Chez Romy Haag, a legendary trans-led nightclub that revolutionized Berlin’s nightlife. This club was a space where gender-diverse people could exist freely, setting the stage for the city’s vibrant queer club culture today.

️ The Aids Crisis & Divided Berlin

Here, we examine the Aids crisis in Berlin, how it affected the divided city, and how the queer community organized to fight for survival. We discuss the activism of Rita Süssmuth, one of the few politicians advocating for Aids awareness, and how the Berlin Wall was metaphorically called the "condom of the GDR", highlighting the stark differences in how East and West Berlin handled the crisis.

Queer Nightlife, Pride & The Fight Against Gentrification

Our final stop takes us into the world of queer nightlife and activism today. We explore the Metropol club, its role in the early gay community and techno scene, and its connection to today’s world-famous Berghain and Lab.Oratory. We also discuss SO36’s legendary queer nights, Folsom Europe (Europe’s biggest fetish festival), Kreuzberg Pride, the Dyke March, and the ongoing fight for an affordable city led by the radical Tuntenhaus squat.