Hape Kerkeling actually felt comfortable in Berlin. But after ten years, the actor and comedian left the German capital. The reason is worrying.
Hape Kerkeling called Berlin his home for ten years. Now the actor has moved to western Germany, more precisely: to Cologne. Kerkeling explains the reason for his departure to the “” newspaper. And his observation may not only be worrying for Berliners.
Hape Kerkeling: The mood in Berlin is becoming increasingly homophobic
“I actually had the impression that the atmosphere in this beautiful city was becoming a little more homophobic,” said Kerkeling. “This not only has to do with, but also with a very unfortunate situation in the world. But I didn’t want to expose myself to that anymore as a prominent face,” he said. He would still like to visit Berlin “often and again,” but no longer wanted to live there.
Recently, more and more people affected have drawn attention to growing homophobia in Berlin. Brazilian Augusto Andrade explained in July last year that he originally moved to the city to be protected from homophobic attacks. “Because I couldn’t stand the homophobia in my home country of Brazil, I moved to Berlin three years ago. It’s more open here. There are lots of gay bars and clubs. For a long time I felt comfortable and safe here,” said he.
Homophobic attacks
“But lately the insults have been increasing. My friend lives in Neukölln and when I walk hand in hand with him there, I constantly hear someone shouting ‘faggot’. Plus the hateful looks and the laughter. I hear that almost every time, when I leave the house,” he told the . Just one example of many that the star documented last year.
Kerkeling is one of the most famous homosexual celebrities in Germany. His coming out in the 1990s was not voluntary. Gay activist Rosa von Praunheim, of all people, outed the comedian on television. “People more sensitive than me might have taken a quick action and gone into the bathtub with a hairdryer,” said Kerkeling in an interview with “Spiegel” a year after his forced coming out.
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“Turn on the TV immediately” – Hape Kerkeling’s forced outing by Rosa von Praunheim
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
