A conversation with David Watson about the seminal work of Hans Eppendorfer and Hubert Fichte. A reminder of the first manifesto of the leather and fetish movement.
In 1977, the first manifesto of the leather and fetish movement was published in German-speaking countries, years before gay guys in full leather outfits started to mix up CSDs and festivals like Folsom Europe.
Hans Eppendorfer was the author, in real life a man called Hans-Peter Reichelt. He was editor-in-chief of the gay magazine "Him/Applaus" and wrote the book "Der Ledermann spricht mit Hubert Fichte" (The Leather Man Talks to Hubert Fichte) with the then famous writer Hubert Fichte. It became a success in the German-speaking world, especially as it had been staged as a play before the book was published.
Almost 50 years after its publication, we are discussing questions such as: Did this manifesto also help the gay scenes gain self-confidence politically or aesthetically? Who were these leathermen anyway - and who do they want to be today? Memories of a time before AIDS and before the liberalization of social attitudes towards homosexuality.
Fetish, one way or another, is no longer underground, but a word for the sexually different, the unusual. A rereading on the eve of the Folsom community 's Easter meeting in Berlin.
A queer talk with:
🐾 Denis Watson, board member at Folsom Europe e.V.
🐾 Jan Feddersen moderates this taz Talk. He is a taz editor, curator of the taz lab and author of various books, for example on identity politics and Berlin's Sonnenallee after October 7.
This is a taz Queer Talk in friendly cooperation with Folsom Europe e.V.
Price information:
Advance registration required.