Gay country life: Just get out of here! This motto is followed in droves young gay man from the provinces to the big city. For Manuel, who lives in a small town on Lake Constance, the moment is also likely to come soon. At last.
San Diego, Guadalajara, BarcelonaBerlin - Manuel* knows these cities like his wardrobe. The Swiss national has worked in the first three at times and regularly travels to Berlin to "let off steam". But Manuel always returns to Berneck. He grew up there, half an hour's drive from St. Gallen, where his family lives and where he has a well-paid job. "Holidaymakers rave about our mountain idyll and would love to stay," says Manuel. "I, on the other hand, have wanted to leave for good for many years."
Father, mother, child
As a single gay man, the 35-year-old feels out of place in Berneck. There is nothing worthy of the name scene within a radius of 100 kilometres, and the homosexuals who live here lead a conformist, bourgeois life. At least that's how Manuel sees it, and his warm brown eyes sparkle angrily. "I see the majority of my fellow human beings as narrow-minded and ignorant. They expect everyone to follow the traditional family model of father, mother and two children. Anyone who wants to live differently is marginalised."
Dinner with a lady only
Patriarchy also reigns in the office, Manuel complains. Disparaging remarks about women are particularly common, but sometimes also remarks about "faggots" and "backhanders". According to Manuel Moreno, this is due to the deep-rooted prejudice that women and gays are too soft for a tough industry like finance. That's why Manuel tends to avoid conversations about his private life. "During my stay in Barcelona, it would have been completely normal for me to bring my partner to an evening event. In our region, I would cause a scandal."
Gay country life: Dream of going away
So why doesn't the son of a Spaniard and a Swiss woman, who speaks seven languages, simply move away? "There can be a thousand reasons why you don't manage to leave your unloved homeland," says Manuel. "In my case, it was a serious illness." The 35-year-old has undergone lengthy therapy, which has kept him tied to Berneck. Without the support of his family, he is convinced that he would have had to give up his job. He is now so recovered that he can plan his future. "And I see it in a liberal, exciting metropolis with lots of great men," Manuel continues and laughs.
*Name changed. Manuel does not want customers or colleagues to recognise him.
In part 2 of the report is about two gay men who have turned their backs on the big city and live in the countryside.
