Gay & Lesbian in Berlin & Germany

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Gay & Lesbian in Berlin & Germany

There is a wealth of information for gays and lesbians living in or visiting Germany. Large towns and cities have active gay communities as do the smaller towns in Germany. Homosexuality has been legal since 1968 in East Germany and since 1969 in West Germany. The age of consent in Germany is 14.

In 2001, gay marriage was legalised and gay couples now have many (if not all) of the same rights as heterosexual couples.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Same Sex Marriage in Germany

The main German tourist website offers links to Gay Berlin, Gay Cologne and other cities. All of these list gay and gay-friendly bars and clubs and other meeting places.

• For information from the German Tourist site on gay-friendly Germany: Click here

Gay Groups and Associations in Germany

Lesbian and Gay Federation of Germany (Lesben- und Schwulenverband Deutschlands, LSVD): The LSVD is the main gay and lesbian organisation in Germany. It offers counselling and support via the website or telephone calls.

• LSVD
  At: Pipinstr. 7, 50667 Cologne
  Tel: 0221 925 96 10
  Fax: 0221 9259 6111
  e-mail
  Website

The LSVD has a project known as Regenbogenfamilien (rainbow families) whose aim is to improve the social, legal and personal status of gay and lesbian families via counselling and networking. They have a counselling hotline that can help with legal issues and family planning.

• Counselling hotline Tel: 0221 9259 6126 Wednesdays from 17:00-21:00
• Online counselling e-mail
• For further information on the Rainbow Families project: Click here

Federal Centre for Health Education (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, BZgA): This Government agency provides information and support on many health topics including HIV and AIDS. Although many of its telephone counselling services are in German there are links and address details on their website.

• AIDS Hotline Tel: 01805 555 444
• BZgA website

The German AIDS Foundation (Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe): Founded in 1983, this foundation represents the interests of those infected with HIV and AIDS and undertakes educational programmes. The organisation now has 130 local branches throughout Germany.

• German AIDS Foundation website (in German)

Paygay

This is a credit card for the gay and lesbian community offering benefits and special services on travel and in certain shops as well as on online banking service.

• For further information: Click here (in German)

Lesbian & Gay in Berlin

As a result of its history, Berlin has two city centres, both of which have a gay and lesbian scene. The most well known districts are Schöneberg, Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg. The districts of Mitte and Friedrichshain are known for their discos and clubs.

There are plenty of activities, services and institutions in Berlin specifically designed by and for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals. According to the official German tourist site, Berlin has over 150 gay bars. The city also has gay bookstores, pharmacies, sports clubs, same-sex dance classes and studios, language courses, speciality outfit boutiques, radio broadcasts focusing on gay related topics, organisations, meeting places, counselling services, associations and other resources.

• Details and links to gay life in Berlin can be found on the Berlin tourist website

Berlin also has a museum celebrating gay and lesbian history.

• Schwules Museum
  At: Mehringdamm 61, 10961 Berlin
  Tel: 030 6959 9050
  Fax: 030 6120 2289
  Website

Regional Groups in Berlin

LSVD Berlin: The German Gay and Lesbian Federation has a branch in Berlin.

• At: Willmanndamm 8, Berlin-Schöneberg
  Tel: 030 4400 8240
  Website (in German)

Lesbenberatung: This is a centre offering advice and counselling to lesbians.

• At: Kulmer Straße 20, Berlin-Schöneberg
  Tel: 030 215 20 00

Mann-O-Meter: This is a gay information and counselling centre offering psychological advice on gay life and health issues as well as information on gay events in Berlin.

• At: Bülowstraße 106, Berlin-Schöneberg
  Tel: 030 216 80 08
  Website
• Mann-o-Meter also has a gay group for young people: Click here (in German)

Maneo: Victim support for gay and bisexual men. It provides support to victims of violence whether domestic or homophobic.

• Hotline Tel: 030 216 3336 daily from 17:00-19:00
  Website

Gay & Lesbian Publications in Berlin

There are a number of specialist publications for gays and lesbians in Berlin. They are available in gay bars and also in the Tourist Information Office.

• Siegessaule: a free magazine, lots of "What's On" information and articles
  e-mail
• Out In Berlin: published each year by Berlin Tourist Information
• Queer in Berlin: a free lesbian and gay magazine
  e-mail
• Sergej: a free guide to Berlin for gay men
  e-mail
• Berlin von hinten: a gay guide to Berlin in both German and English
• L-Mag: a magazine for lesbians
• Lesbisches Berlin - Die Stadtbegleiterin: a guide to Berlin for lesbians
• Berlin Gay-Web: the most well-known online magazine and forum for gays and lesbians (in German). The website has links to many gay associations and clubs in Berlin

Further Information

• Gay Times: English language information and useful links for Germany
• UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group
• International Student Travel information: Gay and lesbian events in Germany
• International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
• German Tourist site
• Berlin Tourist site