History
This page contains recommended reading on the historical events or periods, our parties are themed after and inspired by, and acknowledgements to the people who came before.
Berlin, in the era of the Weimar Republic, 1918 - 1933, was known for it's variety, and it's queer life, especially nightlife. Berlin had a reputation, here you could find anything if you knew who to ask, or where to go. In 1921 you could get angry political monologues alongside comedians and dancers, striptease and entertainment of all kinds. The cabaret of the day was not all the glitzy lights of the Kit Kat Klub of the musical, or El Dorado . However, this is 2027, why not have the glitz and the guts!
We all "know" Weimar Germany, the hardships in the wake of the "War to end all wars", veterans on the streets, mass unemployment and the hyper inflation as a result of the treaty of Versailles and the reparations Germany was expected to pay back, in gold, no Reichsmarks here! Not unlike the "roaring twenties" in America, the disillusioned youth of the post war generation turned to distraction, parties, cocaine and excess. This carefree, rash attitude lead to the visibility and tolerance bordering on acceptance or in some places, celebration of queer life, is something that has had a lasting impact on queer history, our shared past and still resonates in the present.
Clubs like Moka Efti, a cafe gathering place for intellectuals, queer people and the more liberal of Berlin's arts and culture scene, turned into a revue cabaret once the night set in!
In addition to the Moka Efti, the El Dorado and many other names that still resonate in the modern day as part of both queer and German history, the most important institution in Berlin was the Institute Fur Sexualwissenschaft, or institute for sexual science, founded by pioneering sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld.
Hirschfeld's institute provided services such as sexual counselling, treatment of venereal diseases and public sex education. The institute was the first of its kind and remains a subject of fascination and study today.
For your perusing pleasure, we have links with more information as well as contemporary photos of some of the most important places and people of the Weimar Republic's queer boom.
https://the-game.imago-images.com/articles/pride-1920s-berlin/
https://magnus-hirschfeld.de/ausstellungen/institute/
https://adventuresintimeandgender.org/stories/the-club-history/