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.