This upcoming weekend (June 16 & 17), Berlin will again host Europe's largest gay and lesbian street festival, known in my circles as Motzstraßenfest (Motzstraße is one of the "gayest" streets in Berlin). The 20th anniversary of this event is held under the English title "Equal Rights for the Unequal".
The party begins at 11:00, but doesn't really heat up
until after 16:00 when the streets around Nollendorfplatz in Schöneburg
fill up with every variety of GLBTQ individual available. Campy drag
queens seem to be in a competition to see who can be the most FABULOUS!,
while bears, leather queens, and some of the toughest dykes I've ever
seen catch the eye. 
What isn't so obvious are the simply normal gays and lesbians who are
just out to have a nice time without all of the show. I always feel like
a piss poor lesbian as I pull up on my powder blue scooter looking
rather average as a more traditional dyke rumbles up on a hot Harley.
When I begin to look past the more flowery, showy participants I realize these folks are just like me, living normal lives and enjoying being out amongst "their people". Eating, drinking and lots of merriment is the order of the day, With lots of informational booths along the way.
The biggest surprise to
this American dyke was to see the political parties strongly
represented, as well as gay police and teachers with booths.
There are booths for sport clubs, travel information, even a gay
couchsurfing group. Ah yes, THIS is the European Gay Central I've dreamed about!!Five stages placed throughout the 20,000 square meters of party keep the energy high in the festival attendees.
There is a stage to suit every taste: disco/retro, techno, local talent, a main stage that hosts a little bit of everything including political talks, and a stage dedicated to the womyn (haven't used THAT spelling since the 80's - I'm happy to trot it out there for ya!).
If you're in the area, come to what I find to be Berlin's best street festival.
Everyone is welcome. A fun time to be had by all.
Just don't miss out on the pretzels shaped like penises... BIG penises of course!
2 comments:
That looks like so much fun. Eat dick pretzel for me!
That looks like a blast!
I hope you don't mind, by the way, but I've nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
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