How Berlin Became A Trans Utopia

Why do people say Berlin is a trans utopia? Let's talk about the city's history and what it's like to transition in Germany today 🏳️‍⚧️
/ dreamsounds
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And read her series "Everything Is Somewhat Repaired": / everythingissomewhatre...
The thumbnail features photos from the archive of the Magnus-Hirschfeld-Gesellschaft e.V., Berlin (left) and Lucas Werkmeister (right)
The soundtrack for this video features recordings of Bill Vuono (my great-grandpa) playing piano from the 1940s as well as some pieces I wrote and recorded, with additional performances from Hans Bilger (bass), Alexander Dubovoy (piano), and Dexter Stanley-Tauvao (drums)

[@beethovenjunkie]

Fron a trans person born and raised and still living in Berlin - thank you from my heart for this beautiful video!

[@viconpc9531]

Oh my god you gonna talk about Lily Elba she’s an interesting person to me in the sense that she transitioned like nearly 100 years ago and is an artist in her own right (also the Danish girl should’ve represent her better)

[@origamibeast]

I am definitely one of those Americans that romanticizes figuring out how to get a visa/job/residential status to a more trans friendly country. I think for me its more a fantasy, because when i reflect on my real life, I am lucky enough to have tons of great supportive relationships. Things would have to be immensely dire for me to abandon that. More just born out of the fear of the direction and speed American public policy has gone. Thanks for the great vid.

[@user-fx3zq8ui2x]

Right there with you girl. I'm grateful to have a supportive circle of friends and to live in a state where my rights are protected but I'm horrified of the prospect of that being taken away in an instant. If things get bad enough I might try to fuck off to Germany or Australia to live a better life.

[@alyciamarie4163]

@@user-fx3zq8ui2xwhat would be taken away?

[@Freyja_M4106]

Don't believe the hype! You would be better off taking Refugee Status in Canada if you are not passable or are just clearly trans looking, you will have problems Everywhere you go.

[@mithramusic5909]

I'm a cis gay man, and I will never understand the strength that parts of this video must have taken. I'm tearing up. Thank you for putting this together and bringing some of this history to light

[@searchingfororion]

Thank you for sharing so much of yourself so far, and then coming back and sharing even more. I think my biggest takeaway from this was the widening of perspectives and while romanticization is lovely, when we see the whole of something we can appreciate it's beauty; horror scars and all. Also, your most recent videos are wonderful and perfectly encapsulate what you're expressing and what's gone on since we've last seen you update here; you and your art from and expression has evolved. The eloquence, flourishes, and insight have always been there but you're elevated to extraordinary heights now. Not to mention your German *is* very pretty.

[@cantthinkofabettername6758]

As a trans man born and raised in Berlin, I'd like to share some thoughts briefly. It's far from perfect, but the acceptance from the general public seems to be decently high compared to other countries, at least from my experience. Though that can also depend on the part of the city you're in at the moment. I mean, the annual pride parade (CSD) is overwhelmingly massive, and that's just one of the many examples of queer / trans acceptance. However, a law exists that prevents trans minors from receiving access to HRT and surgeries without their guardians' consent, even if they've seen multiple therapists and / or psychiatrists. Due to this, I had to deal with a year's worth of terrible dysphoria and suicidal thoughts, and I can't imagine what dysphoric trans berliners with non-accepting parents / guardians who came out younger than 17 have & had to go through.

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

Thanks for your insight and I'm sorry to hear you went through that with your transition. I’m also sorry I didn’t include things about minors and transition, but wanted this video to mainly be about the main talking points of the Self-ID law in relation to my own transition to break down some misconceptions I’ve seen from English-language coverage. I totally agree that Berlin’s general acceptance of trans people is decently high, I really do feel grateful to live here as a trans woman! I think even one of the best places in the world to be trans isn’t perfect, so I wanted to kind of address that by showing why I love it but also what the reality of life here is like

[@onlyabusemejaegs]

They wont in give HRT to minors in the future. Not after the examples in the U.K. and Sweden. The lawsuits are to expensive for social healthcare for people who regret taking the meds.

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

@@onlyabusemejaegs I took rheumatoid arthritis meds growing up that have potentially more serious side effects than HRT, but I was given them with the monitoring of medical professionals because the benefits far outweighed anything else. I do not think anyone should lose access to medication prescribed to them by a doctor because of prejudices against trans and non-binary people, nor should that part of healthcare be unfairly discriminated against.

[@collyernicholasjohn]

We know since the Cass Review the suicide risk is a myth. Once comorbidities are accounted for the risk is the same for any adolescent.

[@greenleeaf111]

I'm also a trans guy from Germany - I'm a minor and pre-T but I was told from my Transgender Therapist that in cases where Parents are denying to sign the papers the kid can be tested by a psychiatrist in order to check if they are mentally grown enough and able to decide to start HRT without the parents consent cause the psychiatrist would sign the papers. Is it different in Berlin? I'm not from Berlin.

[@ComicXanz]

Just when my notifications seem boring, you always come in clutch with heat!!

[@teucer915]

I found the old Dreamsounds channel because the algorithm thought it was about music, but I subscribed because it was about *you.* I don't think I would have the strength to invite thousands of strangers into my coming out journey, and I'm in awe of your choice to let us get this window into your transition. Thank you for the vote of confidence in your audience that the new Avelo channel represents, and I wish you all the best with life as your truest self.

[@strawberryqueen0382]

Hey, I know there is no ill will but if I may leave a small critique. I would work to find a way to caption this video soon as I’m just 5 minutes in but the white text in that particular font with the clouded sky background(while beautiful imagery) is already really hard to read as a Dyslexic viewer and I assume that would be ever more for other reading related disabilities. Like I said it’s only a few times that I notice so far and you shouldn’t feel pressure to immediately fix it, just wanted to let you know about this! You do a great job the rest of the video presenting your text in a way that supports viewers with reading disabilities, it’s just that one font on that background that’s difficult.

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

Thank you for letting me know, I've never made captions before but will figure that out and do it soon!

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

Just wanted to say that I've added captions!

[@Glormoni]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this video. It’s rare that I hear things as a trans woman I can actually relate to on the topic of my gender. I did want to ask, but where did you read about the experience of all those trans women from a century ago? I’ve been out for 2 years and I’m finally on the verge of starting hormone treatment after waiting for over half a year on a waiting list to see a doctor ever since the laws changed here in Florida. I feel like I’m standing over a precipice with no parachute or a cord to act as my safety net as I’m about to begin doing the treatment, so it would offer me some solace to read back on the experiences of other people who had even less resources or knowledge than I have going through the same struggle. Either way, I appreciate the good work you’ve done on this channel. It’s always exciting to see your videos pop up on my notifications.

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

Unfortunately all of the texts I refer to don't have translations, but the Magnus Hirschfeld books (like Transvestiten, which isn't written from trans perspectives, but does feature them) are available online and can be translated easily that way. What was the most helpful for me, though, was the book Das 3. Geschlecht by Rainer Herrn, which is a re-print of the periodical and that's where I read a lot from trans people writing about their own experiences.

[@KWKKU]

Thank you for the video! I just moved to Berlin as a Transwoman in her 30s. What is the best way to find the community? I have been struggling to find others

[@literaterose6731]

Quick practical note: the text screen around the 19 minute mark that lists the things made better by the new self id law unfortunately has the heading saying “possibly made worse”-I was so confused at first, and kept rewinding until I realized the error. 🙃 As an enby, can verify that being able to get a designation as such generally is better! This was really wonderful, and so moving! I recognized Magnus Hirschfeld right away-I’ve seen his photo so many times, and just watched a video heavily featuring him (about that gross tweet by a certain terf writer…) by Caelan Conrad yesterday. His work was SO important, and its loss so horrifically tragic (acknowledging of course that he had some deeply problematic personal views…). Thank you so much for sharing such a candid tour of not just Berlin/Germany and its queer history, but elements of your own journey. And on a shallow note… speaking just for myself, your voice is beautiful and even adorable. Don’t know what that person who told you otherwise’s problem was! 😘

[@ayior]

As a german nb im counting the time until i can pre-order my name and gender at the standesamt :> Just one and a half more months!

[@damaracarpenter8316]

What a blessing our trans moms are. I have a friend back home who was my Judy. She helped me feel comfortable and gave me courage to openly confront things about myself that I was hiding inside. Funnily enough I didn't even KNOW she was trans until she told me years into our friendship. Thanks again for another wonderful thoughtful video.

[@greenleeaf111]

Wunderschön editiertes Video. Die halbe Stunde hat sich sehr gelohnt meiner Meinung nach. Ich finde du wirkst wie eine unglaubliche tolle und weise Person, und deine Stimme ... einfach wow weil sie soo beruhigend und schön ist. :')

[@crittercreatureW0AH]

i love my trans friends. every trans person is my friend. and so i love you.

[@Wandering.Homebody]

Why?

[@andriypredmyrskyy7791]

You make such beautiful music! Your voice is angelic. I love singing and making music, and I wanted to ask what you did to find your musical stylings throughout transition; are there any artists you can recommend, technique to practice, exercises I can engage with to love singing just as much on the other side of the binary? Gush to me about your inspirations and talent and hardwork, if you please :D

[@deathcrist2000]

4:38 - 7:26 is one of the best things you've ever done.

[@karabearcomics]

Judy's art, in a way, reminds me of fellow trans comic artist Laura Seabrook (don't know if she currently has any of her stuff still online). Would be nifty to see them collaborate.

[@FalkaRiannon]

Finding even just a queer friendly doctor in my part of germany feels almost impossible ngl. Even just a general practicioner who is confirmed to not be queerphobic is about an hour drive away. I can't even find a queer community in my city. Which given that I have about 30 GPs in my city alone is demoralising af. There also isn't really any queer community here that I know of. I saw a single person with any pride perifenelia in a city with almost 100k people... If it weren't for my job and my family I would have moved away from here ages ago but just leaving behind an almost 20 year long career in my field (and honestly a job that I love) is not really an option either.

[@plastictouch6796]

Just remember that you could be that one person for someone else. Wear that piece of parafernalia with pride. Remember if we let them force us to hide who we are then they have won.

[@Mushroomelixir]

Words cannot describe how seen I feel with this video, ty

[@ben_osborn]

This is such a beautiful video, and I love seeing Judy here, whom I know to be an incredible visual artist, musician, writer and all-round genius of a human being.

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

oh ben, thank you so much for watching this, I appreciate it :)

[@TigerFucker]

I'm a trans guy in germany, and what I learned is that as soon as you come out officially you have to wear a new mask for any doctor or judge or psychiatrist you meet. Be the picture perfect exsample of an easy to handle, classic trans case. You get help easier if you are an easy case. But even with a new mask forced on, now you know what it's for and that it won't stay on forever.

[@fionafiona1146]

I got a NB friend who wants to get top surgery and their appointment was cancelled because they didn't feel like not caring for the complications of keeping nipples was worth it to them.

[@ronan-outoftime]

welp this is the first time i've teared up at one of your videos. i am a young (under 18) trans man in australia, and even with our differing perspectives i still was able to connect and relate to your story. this video was wonderful, thank you so much for making it!

[@DimioFlamingo]

I really feel this as a trans person living in Norway. All people hear is “free healthcare” and assume everything is fine, when we’re one of the more conservative and restrictive nations when it comes to trans healthcare.(at least in western Europe)

[@NeonXddd]

I'm also a trans person in Norway, and I agree with everything you said. It has become harder and harder to get the help we need, especially if you're non binary like myself . I've lost hope in the public trans healthcare here:/ like they flat out refuses to give you ANY care if you're outside the binary trans community

[@DimioFlamingo]

@@NeonXddd Yup, I’m pretty binary but even I had yo lie to get it. I’m trying to help out a nonbinary trans girl right now and it’s impossible.

[@NeonXddd]

@@DimioFlamingo I have given up trying to get help from the public system, if anything I'll be trapped there forever not receiving any help. I finally got an appointment with a private psychiatrist that can refer me to a private surgeon. It is very expensive, but life saving

[@DimioFlamingo]

@@NeonXddd Yeah it seems like that’s the only option unfortunately

[@NeonXddd]

@@DimioFlamingo ugh I wish there were more affordable help.

[@sakuranokunoichi]

Excellent video, weaving personal narrative with historical and current context. So glad to see your transition journey. Very insightful use of paintings for expression.

[@MasterNilo]

I very rarely comment here on YT, but here i had to. Such a beautiful and well made video. Great vibe and very interesting historical facts. I actually cried in the end. Thank you so much and safe travels on your journey.

[@3dnygma]

Stunning editing ❤

[@mcyeet]

This turned out so beautifully, it's a reflective masterpiece. Every second of it

[@SpeedyShimeji]

Your videos are always so wonderful, but the endings with your singing usually make me tear up every time no matter what the previous subject was.

[@Gosh..]

❤

[@KingdomEnfilade]

wow i feel like we all know someone who was turned down for HRT because she showed up wearing trousers. it still seems to happen depressingly often.

[@Illogical.]

5:19 The middle of the interpolationless blurring effect on the right looks very similar to a Minecraft ocelot face.

[@user-xg8qj4nz2h]

The way you interspere different art forms into your videos is beautiful.

[@iceb00]

Lovin' this, love our history, have to do a return visit to Berlin one day, my transition is very much bound to London where I live, love to tell about it but I don't know where to start and really haven't a clue where it will finish

[@feleepe]

Gorgeous script, video and song. The ending made me cry. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us ❤

[@hodelhophopp9386]

The use of works of art in this video is really intriguing-I love it ❤

[@DOBIEinCaps]

What an incredible video! The way you combined your own story with the queer history of Berlin was incredibly done. I learned so much! Thank you very much for the time and attention to detail you gave to this video, I've made sure to share it with friends 😄

[@cosmothecosmonaut5329]

Please where did you get the german text for the poem at the beginning? I've been searching but haven't been able to find it

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

It's in a copy of Das 3. Geschlecht, the periodicals aren't really available online but Rainer Herrn published a book a few years ago that compiles many of them

[@averagefishes]

Have you talked to Nora Eckert? She‘s doing lots of Geschichtsforschung and you might be able to collaborate on some projects. Good luck on your journey!

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

I haven't, but hopefully someday, I do love the work she does!

[@eveghost]

This was beautiful. I'm so glad I found your channel. Much love from a fellow trans American expat in Norway.

[@AutumnCierniak]

I'm really glad I wasn't the only trans person that felt welcome in the city, I loved the time I spent there and I desperately want to return

[@_inabox]

hi, i didn't know i really needed to see this video today. i started my transition for real this year, still have not been prescribed hormones or blockers even. i craved that feeling of connection with people from our past. i need to read and learn a lot but now i know where to start. thank you ✌️💛😽

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

I'm glad this video provided comfort in some way, it helped me a lot many years ago to learn about trans and non-binary people throughout history. Wishing you the best with your transition!

[@vectorworm]

im totallyn NOT crying watching this /s (the connection you feel with any other trans person throughout time and space)

[@vectorworm]

really beautiful short film you made. and it really does capture the feeling of being trans in germany. things could be way worse (and thats tragic) but they also could - should be so much better (i guess thats just all society ever. but you're really hyperaware of it when youre in one of the vulnerable minorities)

[@freezingreign3869]

I want to leave the US for a number of reasons but I'm struggling to figure out the best place to move. I'm autistic, trans (masc nb), and gay and I have family in Lithuania so I immediately was considering moving there but I know that many people there can be old-fashioned and closed minded. I'm going to do more research on germany and the rest of Europe. If anyone has any tips I would appreciate them...

[@ayior]

Denmark is also very good. May be biased because I went to Art School there (as a german NB) Here the main response you get to NB is "what the hell is that / im overwhelmed by these new designations" but i havent really seen real hate or dismissal

[@kimvarki]

As a German, I wouldn't pick this place. The last couple of years the far right party has gained more and more popularity (even among younger people), especially in East Germany. Sadly, people here don't learn from history...

[@Ross-cecil]

this is absolutely beautiful. thank you for keeping history alive. while so much is so hard right now with trans Healthcare, we've truly come so far in so little time. it's so sad that so many voices were taken or silenced

[@theaureliasys6362]

Does Berlin have trans history? Absolutely. But it's Germany. And being Germany, it is bad in unique ways. The self ID law that is yet to be in force takes 3 months of delay. And military can still conscript you retroactively. And if you're a refugee, it's uniquely bad. Furthermore, the entire medical insurance complex is getting WORSE. But the CSD. what about the CSD. it's a corporate friendly event basically. It allows the SPD (who stabs us in the back EVERY opportunity) and even CDU (think tories and republicans) to attend. And even cops in their uniform. Sincerely, A German trans girl.

[@austensg9596]

Omg the music it’s so good

[@arjunpatel6694]

is the song at the end available anywhere

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

Not yet, but it will be on an album coming out next month!

[@Authentistic-ism]

not me noticing hilma af klint paintings immediately

[@Authentistic-ism]

and the keith haring...box...thing

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

It’s a box for some Keith Haring socks I got as a gift years ago, I just liked the box a lot and kept it as decoration!

[@CJLarsen63]

i saw a really interesting video from sophia smith galer that described how therapy can be more useful in a second language! So cool to see that in practice

[@DreamsoundsVideo]

That's so interesting, I kinda stumbled into that realization, so I'll have to check that video out!

[@jane_gorelove]

moved to berlin from ukraine three years ago, it's night and day here as a trans person!!!! although to be honest we have been making leaps in that area in ukraine during the last few years! i know a few people who were able to change their legal name and gender marker in a few months in Kyiv

[@CthulhusBFF2]

💜

[@porcelaingiant2965]

This was beautiful. Thank you so much ♥

[@fionafiona1146]

Your poetry voice over sounds slightly Dutch

[@user-ii4bg5bw7e]

I also thought Berlin was an utopia for trans* people before I came here, then I quickly realised it is not.If your rich enough to live in the good and trans*firendly neighbourhoods maybe but not if you're a normal person an have to live in a neighbourhood with a lot of Nazis which is nearly all of the ones that are affordable nowadays. I live in Brandeburg now and it's so much more trans*firendly than the neighbourhood in which I used to live in Berlin also my university campus was quite trans*unfriendly.

[@onlyabusemejaegs]

???Brandenburg is where the nazis live

[@djungelsoda]

Beautiful video💜

[@smecclesshwifty8548]

This was incredible to watch.

[@LummyLum]

I love your songs❤

[@arilarz5679]

Thank you ❤

[@Zoey_the_Rat]

I happen to live in a city that's not transphobic by virtue of nobody knowing trans people exist, so everyone just sees booba and thinks I'm a woman despite me not passing very well

[@origamibeast]

Omg first!

[@robintroy3852]

❤

[@theaizere]

beautiful video, thank you

[@queerulantin6431]

❤❤❤❤

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

27:36 I think I follow you on TikTok….

[@stamatedragosc.2302]

Nice story bro

[@chillero3heftig712]

your german words are latin XD

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Germany needs a legacy but it's becoming old and childless.

[@PunishedMushu]

You forgot about the trans brothels or child brothels in thd sams era by the way. Long live the weimar utopia!

[@binghamguevara6814]

Child brothels? Can you explain please?

[@schwarz8614]

Disgusting

[@plastictouch6796]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and just because something is beautiful doesn't make it inherently good, the opposite is also true. Have you not heard tell of the tale of the siren or the succubus? Are vegetables bad just because they look gross? Do you not speak to the elderly or the disabled just because they look unappealing? Your revulsion and feeling of disgust at seeing a trans person does not automatically mean trans people are bad. You feelings do not legitimize your position, in fact they do the opposite. The reality is that trans people have always existed and will always exist. We are real people and our experiences are just one of the many variations of human existence. You can make fun of us, you can oppress us, you can beat us and you can even kill us, it's all been done before, it's all been tried, the Nazis tried it, Western culture has oppressed us for generations, but none of it will change the fact that we exist and will continue to exist. New trans people are born every generation and will rise again to continue the fight until we inevitably have progress.

[@durschfalltv7505]

​@@plastictouch6796 I am sorry. I know your feeling are valid. But your mind is cloaked. Knowledge has been occulted. In lack of information the mind jumps to conclusions that release the pain. The human can only endure so much. If you already had surgery i do more harm talking you ignore me please. But if you have any doubt left seek me out and i will give you all my knowledge. Maybe you can change my views i am open for that. My motivation is always to share care.

[@durschfalltv7505]

Schwarz it was my first thought too. But i think it makes me even sader. This world lacks alot of love and genuine care. It deeply depresses me.

[@Silverlink28]

You guys are fighting a battle that’s already one what’s the point?

[@plastictouch6796]

Wow, that is news to me. Could you elaborate?

[@l-pv5793]

Gross! This world is so ugly today reality is humans can recognize unnatural weird things upon seeing them almost no one like

[@plastictouch6796]

You are falling pray to a logical fallacy. Just because something is natural or unnatural doesn't make it right or wrong. Some might say that humans killing each other is a very natural thing, as are emotions, like the hatred that you are experiencing and expressing, but that does not make those things correct. The reality is that trans people have always existed and will always exist. We are real people and our experiences are just one of the many variations of human existence. You can make fun of us, you can oppress us, you can beat us and you can even kill us, it's all been done before, it's all been tried, the Nazis tried it, Western culture has oppressed us for generations, but none of it will change the fact that we exist and will continue to exist. New trans people are born every generation and will rise again to continue the fight until we inevitably have progress.