A series of adverts causes a stir in the scene. It reads "Be kinky!" and the Drag Barbie Breakout smiles at us. As soon as it appeared in gay magazines or as a banner in online portals, a murmur went through the community. Two further motifs demand: "Be bourgeois!" and "Be crude!" The message from the campaign launched in October "Everyone as they want. For more acceptance in the scene" by ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU is actually clear and unmistakable - and provocative at the same time: instead of being ALLOWED to be faggy, a drag queen calls on feminine gays to be how they feel in the imperative. The word "faggy", which for the majority of people is probably used as a swear word in everyday life, suddenly experiences a change in values and makes people sit up and take notice. The same naturally also applies to the calls to be bourgeois or coarse.
It was foreseeable that the issue of discrimination would trigger a heated debate within its own ranks. The desire for a unified community with a single voice remains an illusion, as the gay community is and remains a uniquely diverse mass of different people. Although they have the same sexual preference, they usually have different preferences and interests. They have their own favourite bar in their own favourite neighbourhood with their own best friends. This also means that everyone has their own ideal of what a gay man should look like to them, how he should dress and what image he should present to the "outside world" as a gay man. Gay life is as diverse as the colours of the rainbow. Just "to each his own".
From the majority of applause and supporters of the campaign, especially on social media, to negative reactions, everything is represented: "Finally!", "Great" and hymns of praise about the "long overdue campaign" are being held. But there is also outrage and some people are vehemently in favour of it. These people would probably prefer to rename the campaign to "Everyone as they like - as long as you conform to the norm and don't go against the grain".
A "gloss" on a news portal wanted to question the campaign's raison d'être even before it was published. "More feminine gays! It's going to be an uphill battle that IWWIT has set itself," the author wrote. He goes on to say that instead of dealing with the real problems, such as HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, gays should now be called upon to be more feminine. The writer, himself gay and a full-time newspaper man at a gay magazine, describes the campaign for more acceptance in the scene as a superfluous activity. But the reaction took the wind out of the sails of the gloss: When a campaign triggers such a huge response, there is no need to argue about the existence or non-existence of such a campaign. The comments themselves prove it: The campaign triggers a long overdue discussion.
However, there is also constructive criticism, such as the comment from a user under the Siegessäule online article: "Unfortunately, the campaign once again cements the common role clichés that exist for gays through its striking exaggeration. As if a strong identity is only possible in the extreme." The balancing act between the necessary provocation and irritation for an eye-catching poster advert has thus probably been successful: after all, an advertising campaign for more tolerance also ultimately plays with stereotypes and demands the necessary reactions with such motifs. However, it is also clear that not an entire community can identify with three different motifs and statements.
As travesty artist Shiaz Legz, Julian attracted attention at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest with his YouTube parody 'Rise Like a Penis'. (Photo: Bendik Giske)That's why ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU sent Berlin drag queen Barbie Breakout on another gay mission. In a short video, she sets out in search of answers: How does it feel to be marginalised? What should the community look like? Because many people have already experienced marginalisation within the scene - whether in the real or virtual world. Including me. That's why I made myself available for an interview with the drag queen who has bigger balls than many others. As a man in drag with the name Shiaz Legz and a gay man who doesn't shy away from his feminine side, I was able to share my story with Barbie. In addition to the almost common (!) experiences of marginalisation at school or slogans on dating platforms, I also wanted to show how you can suddenly fall into the trap of being marginalised yourself. Out of shame, insecurity or simply out of the urge to conform as much as possible to the prevailing norms of hetero society.
Other people who fall outside the "norm" and celebrate their differences suddenly threaten the values of heteronormative upbringing that have been drummed into them. The question remains: Do we really only want to be accepted for the conformist part in the broad majority? Or shouldn't my goal be to be loved completely as I am? Unadapted, with all my individual and yet lovable sides? The campaign "Everyone as they want" basically calls for being loved unconditionally. 100 per cent as I am and without compromise. It can't be that wrong, can it?
About the person:
Julian Fricker (26) is a freelance journalist who commutes between Zurich and Berlin and writes for "die Welt", among other publications. As travesty artist Shiaz Legz, he performs in clubs and attracted attention at the Eurovision Song Contest with his YouTube parody "Rise Like a Penis". It has already been viewed over 90,000 times. Conchita Wurst herself recently commented on Julian's parody: "I feel honoured and envy your cheekbones!" For ICH WEISS WAS ICH TU and the campaign "Jeder wie er will. For more acceptance in the scene." he reported on his own experiences in a video and has been observing how the topic is perceived ever since. Here is the Short video on the topic.
