The gay magazine Men is increasingly contributing to marginalisation and discrimination. Editor-in-chief David Berger propagates a traditional image of masculinity and provokes with sometimes right-wing populist statements. This orientation is at odds with the Principles of HIV prevention in Germany. Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe will therefore no longer place adverts in "Männer".
Berlin, 24 November 2014 - The nationwide prevention campaign ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU by Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe (DAH) is ending its adverts and banner placements in "Männer" and on its website with immediate effect. It is forbidden to place prevention in an editorial environment that runs counter to the campaign's main concerns.
Exclusion and devaluation of people are unacceptable
I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING is a campaign that recognises, values and promotes diversity. The self-chosen lifestyles of gay men must be respected and protected in order to make people strong - also when it comes to protection against HIV. Especially those who cannot or do not want to conform to the mainstream and expectations of society and the scene need to be supported. David Berger does the opposite.
Complicit in discrimination?
For some time now, the theologian has been pushing a traditional image of masculinity, thereby devaluing people who do not conform to this image. He discredits critics as "Body-phobic"who have a problem with their own body.
In the August issue of Männer, one author defended a drastic thesis: gay men themselves would reinforce their discrimination if they emphasised their difference. In a historically misleading comparison, Jews, "Indians" and blacks were assigned complicity in their persecution and murder. The author thus turned victims into perpetrators.
In response to public criticism of ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU Berger, who was responsible for the content, responded with a counter-commentary under the headline "No bans on thinking!" In doing so, he argued at regulars' table level along the lines of "You're allowed to say ..."
Comments against the community
Berger repeatedly attacks representatives of the LGBTI community, in "Männer" and in online media such as Huffington Post and The European. He insults emancipatory forces of the "queer movement" as "queer ideologues" and "queer sex dictators".
In a Facebook post on the homophobic demonstrations against education plans, he asked: "Is the all-too-close combination of confused queer/gender theories and the fight against homophobia now taking its revenge, especially among young people?". Here, too, he insinuates a shared responsibility for discrimination against gay men.
Withdrawal from an unacceptable environment
Berger finds populist statements "at least worth discussing" (for example the Views of the teacher Daniel Krausewho also spoke at a Pro NRW rally). The November issue of Männer deals with the gay "Pro Köln" politician Michael Gabel under the headline "A gay right-winger, so what?" Muslims are repeatedly generalised as the perpetrators of anti-gay violence.
As with the other topics, Berger does not usually express his resentment openly, but instead dresses it up in questions or hypocritically refers to his journalistic task of initiating debates. Nevertheless, his attitude and direction are unmistakable. The journalist fails to provide a differentiated discussion on the subject of homophobia and Islam. However, the applause from the right does not fail to materialise.
There is no end in sight. David Berger is constantly coming up with new attacks. After careful consideration, Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe is withdrawing from this unacceptable environment. The hope remains that one day "Männer" will once again develop into an open and diverse magazine that strengthens the identity and structures of the community instead of dividing it. We are happy to play our part in this.
Contact:
German AIDS service organisation
Holger Wicht
Press spokesman
Tel. 030 69 00 87 16
Holger.wicht@dah.aidshilfe.de
