Schwule Sau

We came to the museum as part of my birthday celebration. More than half of the rooms under construction, a deafening noise from the construction echoing all the way to the last room. Staff were not very welcoming. Excessive price for what is presented. Very few things translated into English. Even if it were free, I would not recommend the museum to you. In short, very disappointed!

I was excited to go to this museum as it's the only one of its kind that I had heard of but I must say that myself and my partner were mostly very disappointed. There was a guided tour already taking place when we arrived and they were right at the entrance. Nobody gave us any directions to the exhibits so we awkwardly walked around the group. The exhibits themselves were not what I was expecting and covered very recent history. My partner does not speak German and the exhibits in the first room were in German only, so I was translating them to her in a low voice. Unfortunately, someone from the touring group came over and asked us to be quiet. It's unclear if she was part of the tour or the museum but this was very rude so we didn't finish the exhibits in this room. Another room was a history of the museum itself and the last room was an exhibit about Petra Gall. This was the room we found most interesting and spent most time in (not least because my partner could understand things since this was in English too). I didn't find the staff overly friendly and I definitely do not think it is worth the 10 euro admission fee. For a city with such a rich LGBTQIA+ history (not least the roaring 20s/30s, Max Hirschfeld and the treatment of homosexuals in the Holocaust), I expected so much more from this.

A rather disappointing visit

Mixed experience in a place that really stands for equality and tolerance My visit was a mixed experience overall. In terms of content, I found the exhibition quite interesting: There were three different themed areas that give a good insight into different aspects of queer issues. The presentation was partly creative and innovative – I really liked that. Unfortunately, however, I personally did not feel welcome at all. And in a place that wants to stand for openness, respect and diversity. As a gay man, I have rarely felt so unwelcome in a queer place as in the Gay Museum Berlin. Some examples that triggered this feeling: • There was no reaction whatsoever to my greeting (“Good afternoon”) and goodbye (“Goodbye”). • I was ignored in the café – instead of at least briefly signalling “a moment please,” the staff walked past me and outside for a smoke. • The glances were partly evaluative and patterning. • Visitors were also audibly blasphemed after they left. Unfortunately, none of this conveys a welcoming environment. I don't expect excessive kindness or special attention. But basic politeness – such as a greeting, a brief note, or respectful interaction – should be taken for granted. A “10 Euro” as the only communication does not live up to this claim. I am aware that some of the employees are volunteers. However, it would be all the more important to treat each other and visitors in a respectful and friendly manner – especially in a place that also represents these values to the outside world. Too bad, because the successful exhibition deserved a much better overall experience. Here are some quotes from the Gay Museum agenda. “We see it as our task to strengthen the individual and collective self-confidence and agency of queer people with exhibitions, events and with our collection practice and to be a space for self-understanding, exchange and encounters for our communities.” “The SMU not only opposes discrimination and exclusion of queer people in majority society, but also wants to implement equality in its own program and collection policies.”

A little disappointed when I visited. The exhibits were limited, and I thought there would be more about queer culture in Germany through the ages.

We visited the Schwules Museum this week and had the privilege of attending an exhibition and discussion led by Neo. As the only English-speaking couple in the room, we were so grateful when Neo kindly and effortlessly translated the presentation live, making sure we could fully engage with the experience. What made the exhibition truly unforgettable was the way Neo shared the complex story of one individual’s life under the Nazi regime. Their storytelling drew us in—first inviting sympathy, then gently challenging it—layering in modern understandings of identity, survival, and queerness. One question in particular has stayed with me: “What was it really like to live as a gay person under Nazi Germany?” It wasn’t just a historical inquiry—it became a mirror for how we think about identity, resilience, and resistance today. Neo’s engaging, personable style—along with contributions from fellow curators—sparked a rich and thoughtful discussion. I left feeling moved, inspired, and more aware of how quickly we jump to labels without honoring the full complexity of someone’s identity. Out of ten days in Berlin, this was my highlight. I can’t recommend a visit to the Schwules Museum enough—especially for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who is inspired by art, history, and meaningful conversation.

When I visited, there was a English speaking tour about one of the changing exhibitions about queers in Asia beginning, and I was glad that I participated because it provided more context - so I would highly recommend to check in advance when they have tours (included in the price). There was also another more conventional exhibition about the fight for LGBT rights, and one centered around a gay man in the early 20th century. Overall interesting, they also have a small café. Would visit again.

A request via the contact form was also not answered on the second attempt. Disappointing. A financial contribution has died for me for this House. Doesn't seem interested

An interesting walk through the world's first gay museum however, with pleasure but unexpectedly, there was just as much exhibited on the history of heteronormative sex work within what I thought was a LGBTQ+ Museum.

The name of the museum is a bit misleading, it doesn't just deal with gay issues - a bulky name like LGBTQIA+ Museum would probably be a better fit here. But don't let that stop you from visiting. There are regularly changing special exhibitions. Currently, great photographs from the collection of the Schwulen Museum are shown. Some well-known photographers have donated their estates to the museum. At the moment you can see really high-class photographs of Petra Gall, Krista Beinstein, Rüdiger Trautsch and Jürgen Baldiga. All were prominent chroniclers of gay and queer culture.