The original article was written for the LGBT magazine The Unique Self which was printed in Berlin and distributed around the world through various channels, the magazine was printed in German and has been translated here for historical purposes;
Berlin: “The New Babylon”
By Oliver Baldwin, 1927
Since the creation of the Berlin Free State in 1920 the city has quickly become popular with homophiles, bisexuals and transsexuals due to the fact that the laws of Germania which forbade same-sex activity and relationships are no longer enforced by the Council of Four who runs the city. Derided as the “New Babylon” by fundamentalists the place has become useful for individuals to express their true selves for better or worst. In this article I will be mentioning the various places that individuals can go to which allows them to express their true identity and where to avoid for their own safety;
The Institute of Sexual Research and Matters:
The Institute ran by Dr Magnus Rothman and his partner Tao Li came to fruition in 1921 as a way to study sex, sexuality and gender identity in the newly free Berlin. The Institute has already made a name for itself publishing numerous articles in the journal Yearbook of Intermediate Sexual Types about such subjects as same sex relationships and activities, transsexualism, bisexuality and the bondage community which has gotten itself in hot water with certain places. As well as publishing articles it owns a clinic which performs revolutionary sex change operations lead by Dr Herschel Friedman which is the safest place to have this kind of operation (numerous other clinics in Berlin have popped up but have a habit of being unsafe and are often raided by police or Fascists). Of course due to that fact it has a very long waiting list which mean patients can be waiting years to achieve results.
Dr Magnus Rothman and his partner Tao Li at the Institute of Sexual Matters and Research, 1926
The Institute itself, 1926
The Berber Hostels
This hostel is a place for individuals to go if they want to have an extended stay in Berlin or are low on money. Whilst most hotels and hostels in the city will allow same-sex activity to occur on their premises they have been known to kick out individuals who stay for extended periods of time with their partners and are often used by Gangsters and shady individuals as a way to gain blackmail material if the residents are of foreign extraction. The Berber Hostels owned by the Berber Siblings Klaus and Erika who are also in charge of the Berber Syndicate, the hostels accepts any individuals from the community regardless of funds and has been known to help individuals get back on their feet after horrible incidents. The hostels are also protected by members of the Berber Syndicate to stop attacks from Fascists or the police who have been known to raid places like the Berber Hostels for their own amusement. Of course people may take offence to potential funding gangsters in staying at the hostels but given how most of Berlin is owned by Gangsters, Syndicates or Corporations who engage in morally bankrupt activities this is something you would have to get used to.
Hostel Esplande, one of the many hostels the Berber's own, 1926
The Berber Siblings, Klaus and Erika head of the Berber Syndicate, 1926
Eldorado Nightclub and Ballroom
The Night Life of Berlin is what the city is most famous for and the Eldorado is the best club to experience the excitement of the cabaret, ballroom and the “beat” of Berlin. Owned by Berlin entrepreneur Albert Brand this club was once a hotel before the Germanian Civil War, in the aftermath the place was bought by Brand and turned into the Nightclub known by many. Famous for its New Years Eve Costume Party which usually push the clubs capacity to breaking point and often descends into drunken revelry that could match the orgies of Ancient Rome and for its vibrant drag acts including Hansi Strum whose used his fame as Miss Eldorado in 1924 & 1926 to become a major film star in the Berlin Film Scene the club is often filled with the rich and famous of Berlin. Of course due to that fact it’s also very expensive to get in and has a habit of being rather exclusionary to those of a poorer background.
The Eldorado Nighclub during the day
Albert Brand, 1925
Painting depicting the New Years Costume Party at the Eldorado Nightclub,1926
The Mother Cat House
A cafe, book shop, gallery and meeting place which is the hot spot for the intellectuals, writers and artists of the HBT community this place was built in 1923 with funding from Albert Brand and the Berber siblings. The place often hosts discussions on the rights of the community within and outside of Berlin, writer events and also helping members of the HBT community in getting work published. It’s also where the magazine this article is in is published and distributed. It’s also houses the HBT (Homophiles, Bisexuals and Transsexuals) League, an organisation which is attempting to use political action to help the HBT community and to defend them from Fascists and Fundamentalists often through political demonstrations and street fighting.
The Mother Cat House at Night, 1926
The Oriental
Another club located in Berlin’s Chinatown with an East Asian theme this time it’s also connected to a brothel and opium den next door that also has the same name. Owned by members of the Berlin Triad lead by Mr Hans Kwon it’s a rather calm place compared to the revelry of the Eldorado which one can go to have a drink and a chat with friends. It’s also where the Potsdam Jazz band performs which is considered by many to be the best Jazz band in Berlin and some of the members are part of the HBT community. That being said the brothel and opium den connected to is where most illicit crimes occur and there is the possibility depending on whether you’re a foreigner of a certain class that actions you do there being recorded and used as blackmail at a later date. Also at times the club is used as a way for Triad drug dealers to try and get new clients, offering free samples of a variety of hard drugs.
Potsdam Jazz Band, 1926
Berlin Chinatown, 1926
The Festival of Light
Hosted once a year in the region of Potsdam, the Festival of Light is a reactionary, fundamentalist Christian festival lead by pastor Johan Wels who has connections to the Germanian Republic in Hamburg as well as the American Fundamentalist Church the Festival is used as a way for Johan Wels and the Legion of Light to call for the eradication of the “New Babylon” that is the Free State of Berlin. It’s strongly advised to stay away from the Festival and to not try antagonising those there particularly the Legion of Light, paramilitaries connected to Johan Wels and the festival. The Legion has a habit of stabbing or lynching individuals from the HBT community during this time so it’s best to avoid Potsdam during this period.
Members of the Legion of Light at the Berlin Festival of Light, 1926
The Alexanderplatz House
What on first glance is a normal brothel houses much worse than could be thought. Stories have emerged of individuals who go there being drugged and sold into sex slavery, torture and murder happening and has become popular with individuals who favour disturbing sexual preferences go. It also has numerous connections to the Berlin Underworld and Police which allows it to operate without any real restrictions, people who try to escape from this place are often captured again and sent back to Alexanderplatz. It supposedly has a hit squad that drive around Berlin, killing individuals who tell people about what goes on in the house although evidence is shaky at best. It would best to stay clear of this area to avoid heading inside.
Hopefully that has been useful, whilst there are other places in Berlin that cater or provide to the HBT community I thought it would be useful for people to know what they were getting into when they went to Berlin.
Several weeks after this article, Oliver Baldwin and his partner Eric Blair left Berlin for reasons unknown although many suspect that Oliver was wanted by the Berlin Free State police for engaging with Beutelist cells in the city. They would pop up across the globe writing about numerous conflicts before disappearing in 1930.