openness. Heat. Refuge. Rebellion. All terms, Jirka Witschak with the “La Leander”. In the year 1998, today, 48, opened the Bar in the Benkert street 1 in the Dutch quarter. She was to the fight symbol for Gays and lesbians. A Meeting Point. An interface of politics, culture, and people. Witschak fought for the rights of Homosexuals and was the figurehead of the establishment. This year, the “La Leander” 20-year anniversary celebrates.
Witschak makes it on the leather couch in the “La Leander” comfortably. He is tired. The night before celebrated his former Bar, he gave in 2009, in new hands, 20. Birthday. “Until 12 noon, was celebrated here,” he says. “I am, however, left much sooner.” Despite the sale Witschak is still a part of the Bar. “The gay movement is a matter of the heart for me. Especially the ,La Leander’.“
rainbow flags on the wall
He tells the story of the evening. The birthday celebration on Friday began with a pornographic reading. The drag Queens, Margot von Weizsäcker-Schloenske and Griselda of testicular ZOLLERN made from the erotic novels from the 70s. “It was supposed to be a bit Gay. Such literature has, at the time, only under the counter.“ Most, especially the heterosexual men, listened intently.
Witschak told with a Smile on his face, and then the Party started. He is obviously proud. Music from the 20s and 30s was played. In the basement, a small dance floor under the Bar, celebrated the guests to around 15 square meters. A rainbow flag hangs on the wall. A DJ booth and a bench to find space on a increase. The ceiling, made of concrete, is not disguised.
La Leander is celebrated not sahabet giriş only, also
Not rebels celebrated, also rebelled In the “La Leander” is not celebrated always, but also rebelled. Rainbow flags on the outside of the pub, naked pictures of men on the facade, gay erotic. “A neighbor has complained constantly to the police and to us,” says Witschak. The progress and demand for more Rights had its price. Fines, lawyers, contradictions, fight back. To provide “resistance, I had to learn. To fight back, to Not with the Public. Some call me ’the revolt of the box’.”
Politically, the “La Leander“ even today. On the first floor of the building is a residential group has its headquarters. There, queer people find refuge in the of different origin. For example, from Syria or from Potsdam. They usually remain for a longer time. You will be given the opportunity to build a new life. The “La Leander” as a place of refuge. A place of diversity.
As a gay man in the GDR
Witschak itself also politically active, for example, in the SPD or in the Gay-lesbian Association “Katte e. V.” He is an advocate for the rights of Homosexuals. He grew up in the GDR. “In 1989, I moved to the guard regiment. There, I had my Outing and for the first Time Sex with men. This was a discovery process, especially my role in society.“
rights for homosexuals, rebellion and resistance, sometimes may not be aware that it is activist – Witschak grew up in a society that was against him. But instead of letting it get you down, he rebelled. As with a seemingly harmless kiss. Under the “Iron glass flower” in the Palace of the Republic in Berlin at the end of the 80s. There, he kissed a man. Under the observation of many security cameras that were not aware. A Gay in the GDR. “What would become of me? I don’t know.“ He knew early on who he is, seems to want to Witschak. “I have a little helper syndrome.”
Potsdam has long been regarded as a gay high castle
to rebel, for he has found in Potsdam in the right place. He heard in Potsdam, the city became a part of him. As an openly gay man Witschak feels very comfortable here. “Fate has been good to Potsdam. Frederick II, for example, was gay.“ If you go back in history, was in Potsdam a long time as a gay high castle in Germany, told Witschak. The dirty word “Potsdamist” was used as a Synonym for “faggot”.
So much for the past. The future, it is what it is in the “La Leander”. Shaping the future, on the best free and open. Even if this must be fought. “If you can get 20 years, also a further 20,” says Witschak. He would like that the Bar is still a space that people can identify with. One room, the sanctuary, Party and culture site. But, most importantly, A Symbol of freedom.
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