🏳️‍🌈 This podcast episode explores the history of queer nightlife in Berlin, from the iconic clubs and cafés of the 1980s to the present day, when the city is considered a global LGBTQ+ center. Despite persecution during the Nazi era and continued prejudice, queer people created safe spaces that served as places of freedom, resistance and self-expression.

In conversation: Mahide Lein, Bernd Gaiser and DJ Tchuani aka Dominik

Queer Story is a production of BosePark Productions from Berlin. We have also translated this podcast into other languages with the help of artificial intelligence so that you can listen to it in your native language.

🇹🇷 Queer Story in turkish - Queer Hikayesi - link to Spotify 🏳️‍🌈

🇷🇺 Queer Story in russian - История “Квир” - link to Spotify 🏳️‍🌈

🇩🇪 Queer Story in german - queer story - link to Spotify 🏳️‍🌈

🪩 Chapter

00:00:03 Introducing Queer Story: Exploring Germany's Queer History

00:01:04 Celebrations and Parties in LGBTQIA+ Movement History

00:01:55 Mahide Lein and Bernd Gaiser Share Experiences

00:02:57 DJ Tony on Founding Berries Party Series

00:11:53 1920s Berlin: Hedonistic Nightlife and Queer Visibility

00:15:52 1928: First Gay Travel Guides for Women

00:17:57 Mahide Lein: 1960s-80s Berlin Queer Party Scene

00:22:15 1930s-40s Nazi Era: Suppression of Queer Venues

00:24:39 Post-War 1940s-50s: Queer Venues Reopen Amid Persecution

00:25:34 Bernd Gaiser: Importance of Gay/Lesbian-Specific Bars

00:27:37 Remembering 1980s Berlin Queer Nightlife Personalities

00:30:23 Queer Nightlife Today: Safe Spaces to Be Oneself

📔 Summary of this episode

In this podcast episode, we explore the history of queer nightlife in Berlin, from the clubs and cafés of the 1970s to the present day, when the city is considered a global LGBTQ+ center. The episode takes us through the eventful history of the queer scene, which has experienced highs and lows over the past decades. We start with the iconic clubs of the 1980s, such as “Lipstick”, “Before”, “PureL” and “Pelze Multimedia”. This club, founded by artist W. Lein, was known for its experimental atmosphere. People could freely experience sexuality there as a form of communication or exchange ideas, dance and enjoy art.

The podcast looks back at the dark times of National Socialism, when queer people were persecuted. Paragraph 175 led to the closure of many queer venues, but secret places emerged that served as a refuge. The queer scene began to flourish again in the post-war period. As early as 1946, meeting places such as the legendary “Eldorado”, which was regarded as a symbol of freedom and resistance, reopened. Despite continued persecution due to the stricter Paragraph 175, people came together in places like the “Schwuz”, where performances by queers such as BeV StroganoV and Melitta Sundström shaped the scene.

Today, Berlin offers over 150 queer venues, from cafés to a unique club scene that was recently declared high culture. Still, inequalities persist, especially for lesbian women who have less visible venues. At the end of the episode, the hosts draw a conclusion: partying is more than just fun for the queer community, it is an act of resistance and freedom. Queer clubs offer safe spaces where people can love who they want and live out their gender identity without fear.

🎙️About

Queer Story is a production of BosePark Productions from Berlin. This podcast was translated with the help of artificial intelligence so that you can listen to the episode in your native language. We originally recorded it in 2021, then only in German. We really wanted to try out the possibility of speaking with our voices in your language. So bear with us if we still have an awkward way of speaking sometimes. We are very interested to hear what you think. If you have any comments or questions, please write to us at queerstory@bosepark.com 

🏳️‍🌈BosePark Productions GmbH 2024 

www.bosepark.com