Workers' Radiation Exposure Safeguards Proposal Sought by Commission

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In the heart of Berlin's Neukölln district, the queer club Schwuz has filed for insolvency, marking a significant moment for the city's vibrant nightlife scene. However, this setback has not deterred the club's supporters, who are rallying behind Schwuz to ensure its survival and affordability.

The state is currently unable to provide funding during Schwuz's ongoing insolvency procedure, but it is monitoring for other support options. The club's patrons, meanwhile, are encouraged to continue using Schwuz for dancing and celebrating, with membership schemes like the "SchwuZ Unlimited" card offering unlimited event access and bar discounts to help cover running costs and enable a sustainable restart.

The crisis of queer cultural spaces cannot be solely solved by the state; cooperation from the queer community, businesses, and event agencies is required. Alfonso Pantisano, the Queer Commissioner of Berlin, views Schwuz as a political space and a safe haven for marginalized individuals. He supports a solution to keep Berlin clubs affordable for everyone, including direct support for clubs like Schwuz, potentially through a loan.

The left-wing politician is not alone in his advocacy. The Club Commission, a network of Berlin clubs, views the Schwuz's insolvency as an expression of a city-wide crisis. They advocate for structural changes for all Berlin clubs, including recognition as cultural institutions, cultural protection zones, debt relief during the Corona pandemic, and program and infrastructure funding programs.

The insolvency of Schwuz highlights the urgent need for action to support Berlin's clubs. A recent member survey found that 46 percent of Berlin clubs are considering closure in the next 12 months, twice as many as in the spring. This statistic underscores the necessity of structural support for Berlin's clubs to maintain their cultural vitality.

The Schwuz stands out as one of the oldest queer clubs in Germany and bears a special responsibility as a safe place and center of queer culture. Its insolvency procedure allows time to explore potential solutions for the future, including staffing reductions, programming adjustments, and community support initiatives.

The crisis in Berlin's club scene is not just about money. Queer institutions must be prepared to change their structures if necessary to better represent and welcome diverse groups, including Black queer people, trans* persons, and queer people with disabilities.

At the political and cultural level, advocacy linked to club culture emphasizes the importance of designated cultural protection zones, increased political and financial support for clubs, and protections for inclusion and diversity. This was notably articulated by Marcel Weber of ClubCommission Berlin during the 2025 Rave The Planet Parade, which positioned club culture as vital to democracy, resistance, and solidarity and called for increased public funding and official recognition to secure club spaces and open-air events.

Together, these efforts reflect both grassroots and institutional approaches to safeguarding Berlin's culturally significant clubs like SchwuZ, balancing emergency funding needs with long-term structural and policy reforms to maintain affordability and cultural vitality. The Club Commission does not see the insolvency of the Schwuz as the end, but as an opportunity for a restart. They believe that partying must be affordable for all. The future of Berlin's nightlife scene hangs in the balance, but the community's resilience and determination offer hope for a brighter, more inclusive future.

References: 1. ClubCommission Berlin 2. SchwuZ Unlimited Membership 3. Berliner Morgenpost 4. Tagesspiegel

1. The insolvency of Schwuz in Berlin's Neukölln district is a significant moment for the city's lifestyle scene, particularly its nightlife.
2. Despite Schwuz's financial struggles, its supporters are rallying to ensure its survival and affordability.
3. The state is not currently able to provide funding for Schwuz's insolvency procedure, but is monitoring for other support options.
4. Membership schemes like the "SchwuZ Unlimited" card offer benefits such as unlimited event access and bar discounts to help cover running costs.
5. Cooperation from the queer community, businesses, and event agencies is needed to address the crisis in queer cultural spaces.
6. Alfonso Pantisano, the Queer Commissioner of Berlin, views Schwuz as a political space and a safe haven for marginalized individuals.
7. He supports a solution to keep Berlin clubs affordable for everyone, including direct support for clubs like Schwuz, potentially through a loan.
8. The Club Commission, a network of Berlin clubs, perceives Schwuz's insolvency as an expression of a city-wide crisis.
9. They advocate for structural changes for all Berlin clubs, including recognition as cultural institutions.
10. The insolvency of Schwuz underscores the urgent need for action to support Berlin's clubs and maintain their cultural vitality.
11. A recent member survey found that 46 percent of Berlin clubs are considering closure in the next 12 months.
12. The Schwuz, one of the oldest queer clubs in Germany, bears a special responsibility as a safe place and center of queer culture.
13. Staffing reductions, programming adjustments, and community support initiatives are being explored as potential solutions for the future of Schwuz.
14. Queer institutions must be prepared to change their structures to better represent and welcome diverse groups, including Black queer people, trans* persons, and queer people with disabilities.
15. Advocacy linked to club culture emphasizes the importance of designated cultural protection zones, increased political and financial support for clubs.
16. Marcel Weber of ClubCommission Berlin articulated the importance of club culture during the 2025 Rave The Planet Parade.
17. He called for increased public funding and official recognition to secure club spaces and open-air events.
18. These efforts reflect both grassroots and institutional approaches to safeguarding Berlin's culturally significant clubs like Schwuz.
19. The Club Commission does not see the insolvency of the Schwuz as the end, but as an opportunity for a restart.
20. The future of Berlin's nightlife scene hangs in the balance, but the community's resilience and determination offer hope for a brighter, more inclusive future.
21. In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, striking outfits and bold makeup trends can be seen on the dance floors of Berlin clubs like Schwuz.
22. Food-and-drink options at Berlin clubs often reflect the city's multiculturalism, offering a fusion of international flavors.
23. Home-and-garden enthusiasts might find inspiration in the unique decor and layout of Berlin's clubs, such as Schwuz.
24. Relationships, friendships, and even partnerships often develop and deepen within the intimate setting of a Berlin club like Schwuz.
25. Pets are rarely allowed inside Berlin clubs, but pictures of pets wearing fashionable outfits can often be seen on the social-media feeds of club-goers.
26. Travelers visiting Berlin often add a night out at a club like Schwuz to their itinerary, contributing to the city's tourism industry and enjoyed entertainment by celebrities, music, and casino-culture, making it part of the pop-culture experience.

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