People party at the 'Last Cheers, Queers' closing event at the SchwuZ club on November 1st in Berlin. Photograph: Omer Messinger/Getty Images
While other Berliners dressed up for Halloween last week, Dirk and his friends dressed down – right down – for their last dance at the SchwuZ.
For 48 years, in five separate locations, the SchwulenZentrum (Gay Centre) or SchwuZ – was a popular, non-commercial night spot for generations of gay men in Berlin.
Until Sunday morning, when the SchwuZ closed its doors for the last time, a victim of changing habits, rising costs and poor management decisions.
For Berlin-born Dirk, one year older than the club, he cannot imagine celebrating his 50th birthday next year without a
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