Gays in Germany

Hey,
My name is Dylan, and I'm 16. I'm sorry I'm not typing in German- I haven't taught myself German yet (but I need to soon, because:

I'm going to Germany next year for an exchange trip for my entire junior year of High school. I'm really excited. But I have some questions. I think my main concern is about my sexuality. I am gay, and I'm pretty open about it- when I say that I mean that I tell people if it comes up, but I'm NOT flamboyant or attention seeking. But I was wondering if anyone could tell me how gays are treated in Germany. My first boyfriend was from germany, and he said that he wouldn't DARE tell anybody at school that he was gay. But I've heard from other German friends, and from research, that kids are really tolerant of it. I'm sure it probably depends on where one is situated in Germany, since like anywhere, some places are more open-minded than others.
But in general, how is homosexuality presented in Germany? Should I definitley keep it quiet while I"m there?

Cheers,
Dylan

 

I would say, that germany is pretty open and tolerant towards homosexuals. Of course there are people that dislike homosexuals, but I have the feeling that it is a bigger taboo in the US then here in germany. There is basically no Christian fundamentalist movement, that will tell you, that you will go to hell for being gay and such things.

Of course there are more open regions then others. Usually in Cities it is a lot more accepted, just because people are more used to it. And in very rural areas, people tend to talk.... but then again, they talk about everything..... you know?

Where are you going exactly? In most cities there is a gaycomunity of some sort, and most cities celebrate christopher street day, and have homosexual-festivals of some sort. In Germany, it's even ok for major politicians to "come-out" . Like the mayor of Berlin...

 

wow, awesome. that really makes me feel better.
I'm not sure exactly where I'll be in Germany- I'm goign abraod with AFS, and they haven't found a host family yet. They're going to start looking for one for me within a month. I have a feeling I might be placed in Bavaria though, because thats where other exchange students of Germany that I know seem to have been placed.

I'm hoping i can get out to a gay club a couple times, for the experience. We'll see.
anyone else willign to comment?
thanks
Cheers, and lOve,
Dylan

 

Well, I think, even if the society is quite tolerant, the German pupils and especially the boys could be at not that tolerant - least in parts not. But on the other hand, I guess it is the same in other countries.

 

I think Germany is quite tolerant in these things. Berlin, our capital city has a gay mayor for example. I wish you a good time here in Germany!

 

I think Ying Yang Fish is quite correct with his statement regarding folks of your agegroup. The southern german regions of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg tend to be the most conservative and not so open minded. This is not so much so for the main citieas like Munich and Stuttgart. However, along with Berlin the german "gay capital city" is certainly Cologne!

Have fun!

 

hm...I'll just haveta wait and see how it goes. Hopefully if there are people who are typically un-cool with it, that I could change their minds. I feel like I've done that at my own school- people got to know me before they knew I was gay, so that when I told them I was gay, that wasn't what htey knew about me before trying to get to knwo me- you understand what I mean?

I don't plan on being obnoxious about it- I'm not like that where I live now either. No one is ever able to tell that I am gay, and people always think I'm kidding when I tell them. But if it comes up in conversation, I mention it sometimes.

Cheers,
Dylan

 

This isn't about Gays but I dont plan on making another topic for it.

How are people of different races and orgins treated in Germany? What parts of Germany are more I guess racist then another part. I know this will eventually be the same pretty much like anywhere, but I would like to hear what you guys and girls say.

 

I don´t think that it is exactly the same. On one hand, yes, there is an - i would say - small number of persons still having "strange" and dangerous views about other people for example with a different skin colour almost everywhere in the country. And I guess that´s like in other countries. On the other hand, there is a special, almost paradox situation in some parts of Germany. In these parts - as far as I know - people of different races (I use your expression because I don´t find another at the moment) have never lived in great numbers, for example in the area of the former German Democratic Republic. But these parts of Germany have big social problems (high unemployment etc.) where it is easier for nationalists and similar groups to blame a minority. And as these parts have had a different political situation for a long time I guess the way to get along with such intolerant and racistic views is different as well. It´s sad to say that but it seems that a bigger group of people living there doesn´t stand up and say NO if they hear about such opinions but accept them in a silent way - even if they don´t support them actively. That´s difficult to explain. Maybe they have been scared by their former government that much that public resistance is still very difficult for themor even unthinkable. Or they really share parts of these racistic or intolerant views. I don´t know. However, as far as I read somewhere, there are many people form other countries but living in Germany who fear to go to these areas or at least the really smaller "peak areas" where there are known groups of nationalists acting openly and having at markable support in public.

 

ok so basically if I don't do anything wrong I should be ok?

 

Absolutely... I think the situation is a lot more relaxed than you might think. If you don't walk alone through east-german Dresden's poor areas by night, there isn't much you have to fear... look at all those people originally from Turkey living in the western parts of Germany, if the Neo-Nazis wanted to beat them all up, they'd have a lot to do

 

ok so there are Neo-Nazi's that exist there. And as long as I dont walk around at night I should be fine ok good to hear.

 

Just Dresden's poor areas?!??

What about: Guben, Goerlitz, Rathenow, Rostock, Districts Lichtenberg and Marzahn in Berlin, Hoyerswerda, Teltow, etc. etc...

Ever been to one of these towns, Flowerian?

 

LMAO what happens in those towns? is this only at night or all day?

 

Of course the cities in the former DDR / GDR, Dresden was an example

 

Ddr / Gdr?

 

Deutsche Demokratische Republik / German Democratic Republik

 

Yes. And, actually, only/mostly politicans of the outer right wing blame the Airforce for the bombings.

 

WELL we cant blame the germans.