“Ich bin ein Arschficker”: Germany’s First Gay Rugby Team Challenges Homophobia
Germany’s first gay rugby team has launched an eye-catching and provocative social media campaign this week challenging homophobia.
The Berlin Bruisers - a team who has welcomed players of all experience levels since 2012 - took to the internet during Berlin’s Pride Weeks with a series of arresting images created by the agency Zum goldenen Hirschen that it describes as a “face-to-face offensive”.
Each execution features the face of a player overlaid with a statement that reads both “Ich bin ein Berlin Bruiser” (“I am a Berlin Bruiser”) and also a label that is applied to gay men, such as “Arsefucker”, “Cock Lover”, “Dirty Bastard” and “Gender Bender”.
The team’s slogan “Fight for being you” reinforces the campaign’s goal to overcome prejudice, exclusion, stereotypes and bigotry.
The campaign’s aim is also to attract new players. The Bruisers will have a stand at Motzstraßenfest - a free LGBTQ+ festival in Berlin - on June 21st and 22nd and they hold open training for 50 members on Sundays.
Felix Franz Vogler, managing director of Zum goldenen Hirschen Berlin, said in statement: “Of course we support the Berlin Bruisers in their mission. Because let's be honest: Diversity is also in our industry a topic in which we all still have to learn!”
