Gay Oktoberfest Events Reflect Changing Bavaria

[marmar]

from Der Spiegel:





Drawing more than six million visitors each year, Munich's Oktoberfest has also become a magnet for the gay community. With a number of events catering to the gay and lesbian crowd, the "Rosa Wiesn," or "pink Oktoberfest," reflects the progress gays have made in the traditionally conservative region.

By 8 a.m., the line in front of the Bräurosl beer tent has already started to snake around the massive white structure. Huddling under umbrellas, ambitious partygoers shield themselves from a light drizzle while last-minute deliveries roll in to re-stock food stands with fresh meat and warm rolls. Cleaning crews hose away remnants of a parade the day before.

"It's a very curious sight: You arrive at the Oktoberfest by 9 or 10 a.m. and every other tent is empty. No one's standing around waiting either," said Gunar Hofmann, director of a gay collective known as the "munichbears," with "bears" referring to the hirsute aesthetic for which their members have a particular affinity. "And then you get to Bräurosl and there is this horde of people around the tent waiting to get in. It's insane."

Since 2001, Hofmann and his "bears" have had a yearly presence at the tent on the second day of Munich's Oktoberfest. Otherwise known as "Gay Sunday," the day has become a favorite event among not only the Bavarian city's Lederhosen-loving gay community, but also gay and lesbian visitors from around the world. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,787601,00.html

[xchrom]

1. What's Fabulous in German? Nt

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. No complaints but feel free to join the rest of us.

We're all friends and we want our friends with us and us with them.

It's better we get together without badging who is what. If the haters don't like it they are free to segregate themselves with Haters Oktoberfest. I won't be joining them.

[William769]

3. Lets hear it for wiener schnitzel!

Recommended.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. Veal cutlets are wonderful! I made some last week.

sauteed in butter. Weinerschnitzel.

YUM!

[Taverner]

6. LOL

:rofl:

[msongs]

4. hope they've included AA meetings for those 10 am drinkers :-) nt