A walk through one of the world’s first urban gay villages, exploring the history of 1920s nightlife, early Queer activism, Magnus Hirschfeld’s Sexual Science Institute – the world’s first clinic and social centre for LGBTIQ+ people – as well as persecution, repression, and regeneration. On our journey through the Schöneberg neighbourhood, we’ll explore:
the history of the world’s first LGBTIQ+ emancipation movement
the life and times of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld and his Institute for Sexual Science
Germany’s first Queer bookstore, Eisenherz
the 1920s lesbian scene, Lotte Hahm, Gisele Freund and more
the tales of transgender pioneers such as Lili Elbe
the home of Christopher Isherwood, whose Berlin writings became ‘Cabaret’
persecution and repression during the Nazi era
the history of Jewish gay resistance fighter Gad Beck
continued prosecution – and activism – during the Cold War
contemporary gay life on Motzstrasse, Berlin’s Castro
