Ever wondered what Berlin’s oldest gay switchboard is like? Right here before you stands Mann-O-Meter e.V. a beacon of support and information for gay and bisexual men and young people.
Established in 1986 Mann-O-Meter was Germany’s first gay switchboard. It began as a simple idea from a meeting of Berlin gay groups in 1985. Their goal was AIDS education and a telephone helpline. Today it’s so much more.
Initially run by volunteers including Thomas Brueggemann and law student Joerg Stubben Mann-O-Meter thrived. Berlin’s health senator Ulf Fink secured crucial funding. The center moved several times. It started in Schoneberg’s Manteuffelstrasse then to Motzstrasse. Finally in 2001 it found a larger space on the other side of Nollendorfplatz.
Mann-O-Meter’s services are wide-ranging. They provide counselling on HIV and STIs coming-out relationship issues and more. Daily two volunteers offer face-to-face and telephone support. They connect clients with psychologists when needed. An info cafe offers self-service access to resources. The center also provides anonymous HIV rapid testing.
Mann-O-Meter isn’t just counselling. It’s a vibrant community hub. It hosts cultural events and regular exhibitions. The Jungschwuppen a youth group for 14 to 30-year-olds is a key element. The Romeo & Julius group is also well-known. Mann-O-Meter’s cafe supports other groups providing meeting spaces. Anonymous Alcoholics a chess club a games group cyclists and even gay railway enthusiasts meet there regularly.
Mann-O-Meter’s influence extends beyond its walls. It served as a model for similar projects across West Germany. After reunification it saw a surge in demand from East Germany and Eastern Europe where AIDS awareness was lower.
Even today Mann-O-Meter continues to adapt and grow. It supports incarcerated individuals in Berlin prisons. Former Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries was even a patron. Mann-O-Meter played a large role in establishing the annual Lesbian and Gay City Festival and Christopher Street Day in Berlin.
Mann-O-Meter isn’t just a place. It’s a testament to resilience community and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Berlin and beyond. A place where stories unfold where support is given where hope flourishes. A place where a simple phone call in 1985 transformed into a vital lifeline for countless individuals. That is the legacy of Mann-O-Meter.