Awareness: We’re Ready
Since SchwuZ moved to the Rollbergstraße in 2013 (at the latest), we as a team started actively thinking about the topic of awareness. Since then, we’ve been continuing to expand our consciousness on this issue and have developed concepts from it for ourselves and others and have been implementing them in a variety of ways on a step-by-step basis.
SchwuZ is a place where everyone should feel comfortable and respected. That is why we’ve been acting in an increasingly mindful way towards our guests, employees and cooperating partners. We are present in the moment, take action, yet work preventatively. We’re mindful of differences, different perceptions and boundaries, but also aware of commonalities in this shared space. Consent is everything!
SchwuZ is more than just a party and isthere when someone needs help. Our aware door team is particularly concerned about the safety of our guests. Part of their work is keeping an eye on different power relations and including structural inequalities and privileges when doing so. We are holding more and more in-house workshops, additional training, and also the specific familiarization and conversations about the topic of awareness, all of which are furthering the awareness among our employees – regardless of the area in which they work.
Furthermore, we primarily book artists who are aware or whose art is aware. With targeted briefings and clear communication, we raise awareness among artists and guests about queer topics and how we deal with one another in the club. We want to be a trailblazer on this topic and in our community. That is why we are consciously promoting diversity. Our work on awareness isn’t done to limit us, but instead to creating an open, welcoming space that we are actively creating.
Dialog is important to us! Whether on location of via the internet – we view our awareness process and a field for learning and experimentation and a space for communication. If you have questions or suggestions, or if something unpleasant has happened to you or you have seen something, please contact us any time via email at feedback@schwuz.de. Awareness is a process and we’re also depending on you and your assistance. Thank you!
More Than Just a Word
We are paying attention to make our club as well as our analog and digital communication spaces accessible and as barrier-free as possible. Once you’ve entered the club space via our elevator, all the pathways in the club are wide and accessible by wheelchair. You can pay for entry, drinks or other offerings using contactless methods.
We offer the possibility for low-noise communication within our spaces, thereby guaranteeing the opportunity for barrier-reduced dialog and the chance to communicate. Furthermore, our team can speak a wide variety of languages and are present to be as approachable as possible. We process feedback as quickly as possible.
Awareness is part and parcel of our security and door team, which is continually being trained in recognizing discrimination. They act in a preventative, de-escalating and specific manner. If you feel threatened in SchwuZ, or an explosive situation occurs, we are there for you. At the same time, we protect our club and guests with a conscious entry policy and consistent expulsion policy that creates and protects SchwuZ as a queer space.
Do not hesitate to come forward, speak to us if you experience or see something unpleasant! We have an aware door policy and work ethos! We also ensure the safety of our space by undergoing regular inspections for fire safety and by having trained fire-safety volunteers on location.
Starting with a glance, to homophobia and transphobia, to acts of physical violence – discrimination can happen everywhere and take on various forms. If you feel you are being discriminated against in SchwuZ, you can turn to anyone and everyone in our team at any time. Even after the fact. Please do contact us! It’s important to us to create a space free from discrimination – both on site as well as virtually. If necessary, we can also refer you to advice centers.
You are not alone. If you experience verbal or physical abuse, violence or sexism at SchwuZ, don’t hesitate to turn to our employees. You can talk to us. We will provide immediate physical and psychological support. We guarantee initial support, work with you to determine how best to move forward, and are also happy to refer you to further offerings from experts in our network.
Visitors to SchwuZ in drag receive free entry. We appreciate the time and resources that you’ve invested in your drag. With this action, we’d like to thank you for your creativity and your courage on behalf of the entire community. This drag policy is a tradition at SchwuZ.
We want to help alleviate financial inequality. Therefore, holders of a Berechtigungsnachweis (former BerlinPass) receive reduced entry rates to our events. With a Berechtigungsnachweis (former BerlinPass), entry will cost you 6 euros at the moment.
Donations for SchwuZ
Support queer art and culture and the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community!
Questions and Answers
During club nights and during bar hours, you can speak to anyone on our staff on location or send us an email at feedback@schwuz.de at any time.
