Important queer volunteer work in Berlin: cuts endanger the club!

Important queer volunteer work in Berlin: cuts endanger the club!

A lot is happening in the area of ​​volunteer work in Brandenburg, especially in the LGBTQ* sector. An important contact point in Berlin is the Sunday Club, in which Helene Morgenstern Lu is an indispensable member as a volunteer. She lives in Berlin and Finsterwalde, has her roots in Rostock and has been working as a veterinarian in the south of Brandenburg since 2017. Since the beginning of 2018, Lu has been involved in the Sonntags-Club, one of the oldest queer institutions in Berlin, where she works at the counter and can often be found on Women's Friday. The club opens at 6pm and stays open until 11pm, sometimes even later, and offers over 30 support groups that provide valuable support to the community.

But the future of the club is in jeopardy. The draft budget for 2026/27 does not include the funding amount for a position that has been funded for over 10 years. Such cuts could jeopardize not only the Sunday Club, but also events such as Women's Friday. Lu describes the atmosphere on Friday as somber and emphasizes the importance of supporting the LGBTQ* community in rural areas. There is no Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Finsterwalde, the next bigger one will take place in Cottbus. It is all the more important that spaces like the Sunday Club remain.

Volunteering and the challenges

International Volunteer Day was celebrated on December 5th, honoring the invaluable work of around 27 million volunteers in Germany. Lu has only had positive experiences about her time at the Sunday Club and sees the club as her “extended living room” where she is an active part of the LGBTQ* community. She appreciates the appreciation she receives for her involvement and plans to continue to be involved with the Sunday Club.

The topic of volunteering runs through many organizations in Berlin. Projects like the AB queer education project, for example, are looking for young people up to the age of 27 for educational events in schools. The community also receives support from various advice centers such as the Berlin Aids Help Center or the Berlin-Brandenburg Lesbian and Gay Association (LSVD). Searchers can register there for a variety of engagement opportunities, which offer a valuable platform.

Second home tax and its effects

Another topic that is currently being discussed in Brandenburg is the second home tax. This tax is determined individually by the municipalities and can vary between 5% and 35% of the annual rent. In Berlin, the second home tax will be increased from 15% to 20% on January 1, 2025. Many commuters are affected, including Lu, who commutes between Berlin and Finsterwalde. The tax is determined in a notice by the municipality, and this can be objected to if the basis is considered unconstitutional.

Overall, the pressure on the LGBTQ* community in rural regions is noticeable through tax burdens and cuts in funding. It is all the more important to support committed people like Lu and institutions like the Sunday Club in order to preserve diversity and social spaces for everyone.