Rain Don’t Stop The Gays

Sophie Blitz
Jul 24, 2017 · 5 min read

Less than 100 years ago, Berlin was unbelievably intolerant, to say the least, of individuals who were not blonde-haired, blue-eyed heterosexual Christians. It is thus remarkable, I think, that this city can now hold a Pride Parade of several thousands, celebrating its newfound, fantastic diversity.

We had not planned to come to the Pride Parade; in-fact, we did not know it was even happening, and none of us had been to a similar event before.

The Pride experience became more poignant than we initially expected it to be; the next day, we would be turned away from a club for “looking too heterosexual” – the same vein of discrimination that so many homosexuals have experienced, and still experience today. In one sense, this was a hint that Europe might not be the so liberal place it claims to be; in another, it was a reminder that this sort of discrimination takes place frequently towards the LGBT community, as well as Muslim and Jewish communities, not only in clubs but in all areas of society, in the form of homophobia, islamophobia and anti-semitism. Although this Parade was one specifically about supporting the LGBT community, it offers a broader message about tolerance and diversity in general.

Pride was held at Brandenburg Gate; the Gate was built in 1788 by the Prussian King Frederick William II. It used to mark the start of the road from Berlin to the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg. A Soviet flag topped the gate from 1945–1957, until it was replaced by an East German Flag as Berlin was divided; this flag was only removed when Germany was officially reunified in 1990. When JFK visited the Gate in 1963, he was prevented from looking into East Germany, under Soviet control, by huge red banners which were strung across the gate.

Here is a picture of the Gate, in all it’s glory, with topless men emerging from it.

We were told by passers-by that if we were going to Pride, we would need to roll in a few puddles first, because everyone there was soaking wet and would resent us for looking so dry. This was not a problem, for as soon as we arrived, it thundered and poured.

Nevertheless, the dancing continued. Pride is dotted with stalls of food, rainbow clothing, flags and jagermeister. Everywhere are people dancing and singing, showing off their fashion trends, bungee jumping, taking photos with drag queens; the rain certainly did not cloud the atmosphere. And besides, Sarah’s hair loved the rain, and Cullen worked out how to use an umbrella.

The rain didn’t stop the fashion either: Ben and Joseph went full-spy-costume, Sophie went full Sophie-Cullen; Diana went as a damp rainbow.

And here is Joseph, walking away from his targets; how school days suppressed his true, womaniser self….

When it comes to facial expressions, Charlie and Ben could not be more opposite (this is Ben’s-enjoyment face, by the way)….

Here are some photos of people smiling:

Here are some photos of interesting sights we saw along the way: a flying penis on a stick, two extremely glum men, Alice wrapped in tin foil with a watermelon…

At one point, disaster struck: the music cut out. Charlie melted in distress….

Ben began to apply his mathematical brain to the situation….

Neither the melting nor the maths worked. Dancing resumed. And I can say for sure, from the atmosphere there, rain don’t stop the gays.

Alice contemplating what to eat for dinner…

Sophie Blitz

Written by

London, or Amman for now - studies Arabic/Classics

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