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

The tour begins 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 advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality, defining queer identities long before the term “homosexual” was coined. His groundbreaking ideas laid the groundwork for modern 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 uncovered, along with the complex role of Ernst Röhm and openly gay Nazis. The impact of Hitler’s stance on homosexuality, which led to widespread persecution, is also explored. This stop highlights The Night of the Long Knives, when Röhm and many other queer individuals within the Nazi party were executed, and sheds light on the persecution of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Nazi concentration camps, where they were forced to wear the pink triangle, as well as the resilience of those who resisted oppression.

• Schwerinstraße 13 - ⚢ Lesbian Life, Music & Resistance

This stop highlights lesbian life in 1920s Berlin, a vibrant yet often overlooked aspect of queer history. Visitors explore the site of Toppkeller, a renowned lesbian bar, and learn 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 surprising yet significant aspect of the homosexual department of the Berlin police force is explored. 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. Visitors discover his Institute for Sexual Science and the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, the world’s first organization dedicated to queer rights and gender studies. 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 explored. 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 discussed.

• 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 individuals, 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. The exploration includes 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. 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 individuals 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’s role in the early gay community and techno scene is explored, along with its connection to today’s world-famous Berghain and Lab.Oratory. The discussion also includes 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.

• 200+ rare historical photos, videos, and archival materials
• Insider tips on Berlin’s modern queer nightlife and events
• Guided walking tour led by a queer activist & gender scholar
• Augmented Reality (AR) elements to bring history to life
• Mixies: Take fun, personalized photos with Augmented Reality elements for lasting memories

• Tea and coffee

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.