• Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Straße 1 - ️‍ The “World’s First Gay Man”

The tour commences at Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Straße 1, named after a pioneering figure in gay rights activism. Karl Heinrich Ulrichs is recognized as one of the first individuals to publicly campaign for the decriminalization of homosexuality, defining queer identities long before the term “homosexual” was coined. His groundbreaking ideas laid the groundwork for contemporary LGBTQIA+ movements globally.

• Nollendorfplatz - ️ The Persecution of LGBTQIA+ in Nazi Germany

At Nollendorfplatz, the epicenter of Berlin’s LGBTQIA+ history, the stories of Adolf Brand and right-wing gay activists are revealed, along with the complex role of Ernst Röhm and openly gay Nazis. The impact of Hitler’s policies on homosexuality, leading to widespread persecution, is also examined. The Night of the Long Knives, when Röhm and many other queer individuals within the Nazi party were executed, is explored. This stop highlights the persecution of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Nazi concentration camps, where they were forced to wear the pink triangle, and the resilience of those who resisted oppression.

• Schwerinstraße 13 - ⚢ Lesbian Life, Music & Resistance

This stop delves into lesbian life in 1920s Berlin, a vibrant yet often overlooked aspect of queer history. The site of Toppkeller, a renowned lesbian bar, is visited, showcasing how such spaces provided community and safety for queer women. 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, is also discussed.

• Nollendorfstraße 17 - Christopher Isherwood & The Queer Inspiration for Cabaret

At this location, the homosexual department of the Berlin police force is explored, a surprising yet significant aspect of LGBTQIA+ history. This stop also highlights gay male life in 1920s Berlin, featuring the story of Christopher Isherwood, whose writings about his experiences in Berlin inspired the famous Cabaret musical and film. His relationship with Heinz Neddermeyer and their escape from Nazi Germany as queer refugees is also discussed.

• Magnus-Apotheke - The World’s First LGBTQIA+ Rights Movement

Magnus Hirschfeld’s pioneering work in LGBTQIA+ activism is the focus of this stop. His Institute for Sexual Science and the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, the world’s first organization dedicated to queer rights and gender studies, are explored. His theories on sexual intermediaries, the concept of Berlin’s third gender, and the world’s first gender-affirming surgeries performed on Dora Richter, Lili Elbe, and Karl M. Baer are discussed. The fight against Paragraph 175, which criminalized homosexuality, and the destruction of the Institute by the Nazis, a devastating loss for queer history, are also covered.

• Denns BioMarkt - Drag & Queer Nightlife (Former Site of Eldorado)

This location was once home to Eldorado, one of Berlin’s most famous drag bars of the 1920s. Eldorado was a hotspot for gender-nonconforming people, queer performers, and even high-profile Nazis like Ernst Röhm, who paradoxically frequented the club while being part of a regime that later persecuted LGBTQIA+ people.

• Prinz Eisenherz - Post-War Queer Activism & A Trans Icon

At this stop, post-war LGBTQIA+ activism in Berlin is discussed. Homosexuelle Aktion West-Berlin, one of the first queer rights organizations after WWII, and the founding of SchwuZ, one of Berlin’s most iconic queer clubs, are explored. The life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a trans woman who preserved Berlin’s queer history and created safe spaces for the community in East Berlin, is also highlighted.

• Connection - The Trans Community & Queer Club Revolution

This stop highlights West Berlin’s trans community in the 1970s and 1980s, exploring the impact of Chez Romy Haag, a legendary trans-led nightclub that revolutionized Berlin’s nightlife. This club was a space where gender-diverse people could exist freely, setting the stage for the city’s vibrant queer club culture today.

• Internationale Stele GEGEN DAS VERGESSEN - ️ The Aids Crisis & Divided Berlin

Here, the Aids crisis in Berlin is examined, including its impact on the divided city and how the queer community organized to fight for survival. The activism of Rita Süssmuth, one of the few politicians advocating for Aids awareness, is discussed, along with how the Berlin Wall was metaphorically called the “condom of the GDR”, highlighting the stark differences in how East and West Berlin handled the crisis.

• Metropol - Queer Nightlife, Pride & The Fight Against Gentrification

The final stop delves into the world of queer nightlife and activism today. The Metropol club, its role in the early gay community and techno scene, and its connection to today’s world-famous Berghain and Lab.Oratory are explored. SO36’s legendary queer nights, Folsom Europe (Europe’s biggest fetish festival), Kreuzberg Pride, the Dyke March, and the ongoing fight for an affordable city led by the radical Tuntenhaus squat are also discussed.

• iPad provided for augmented reality experiences.

• Gratuities

Explore over a century of queer and trans history with this engaging walking tour of Berlin, the birthplace of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

Before Stonewall, Berlin was a hub for the world’s first queer activists, trailblazing trans identities, and a vibrant lesbian and gay nightlife. From the early LGBTQIA+ rights movements to queer resistance during the Nazi era, and from underground cabarets to iconic clubs like Berghain, this tour reveals the hidden history that has influenced queer culture globally.

Guided by a queer activist, social scientist, and certified sex educator, this unique experience brings history to life with over 200 historical photos, rare audio clips, videos, personal quotes, and interactive quiz questions. Additionally, Augmented Reality (AR) Mixies let you capture selfies with historic queer figures!

Ideal for: LGBTQIA+ travelers, history enthusiasts, Berlin residents, and allies seeking an unforgettable experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.