About us

Two in one - Switchboard & AIDS healthcare

 

Mann-O-Meter e.V. was founded in 1985 as the first gay switchboard in Germany and has now become an integral part of Berlin's gay community. Known beyond the borders of the capital city as gay checkpoint, Mann-O-Meter serves at the first stop for both Berliners and international guests whenever they seek infos about gay life. 
And while we don't appear to look like a typical HIV testing facility at first glance: 
Education, prevention and information on questions and problems surrounding HIV/AIDS are the main concerns of our work.
 

Emancipation as a form of prevention.

In order to achieve these goals, the first thing we try to do is promote gay emancipation and gay self-confidence. This is based on the realization that only self-confident gay men who have no problems with their lifestyle, or who hide out of fear of prejudice or homophobic reactions from those around them, are able to deal responsibly with themselves, their sexuality and thus also with their partners. This is the only way AIDS prevention can bear fruit and be strengthened for a long term.

 

Following this concept, Mann-O-Meter offers a range of services in Berlin – the city with the largest gay population in Germany. In addition to the daily café operation in the middle of the neighborhood around Nollendorfplatz, interested visitors may receive information about all aspects of gay life: 

  • information about leisure activities, 
  • self-help groups and other counseling centers across the city, 
  • the diverse nightlife of Berlin 
  • and other activities of the numerous groups and projects. 
     

By using our group room free of charge, we offer many external groups the opportunity to meet regularly.

 

In addition, Mann-O-Meter has developed its own services over the years, such as 

  • support for gay prisoners, 
  • the gay youth group “Romeo & Julius” 
  • or Maneo – Gay Robbery Hotline & Victim Support, which was launched in 1990 as the first nationwide anti-violence project. In addition to documenting cases of violence, Maneo is still the only facility in the city that provides comprehensive support for victims.

We offer more than just condoms

 

Apart from these activities, Mann-O-Meter also provides direct AIDS education and prevention. In addition to the inexpensive sale of condoms and lubricants, we provide you with all the latest information materials on HIV and AIDS, hepatitis and other “gay health” topics. 

 

Are you looking for a more personal conversation? The staff at the information desk are always happy to listen to your concerns.

 

If you have problems dealing with a new infection and/or illness, you can get advice and help from our psychologists. They also offer psychological and psychosocial advice on all other topics that affect gay lifestyles – whether it's about coming out, relationships, sexuality or anything else.

 

Want to join us?

Five permanent employees, one or two persons passing Federal Volunteers Service and around 60 volunteers: 
That's the Mann-O-Meter team. Become part of this community!

 

It wouldn't work without volunteers. They collect information about events and offers in the scene, are involved in several teams and support the full-time employees. Among other things, they look after prisoners in Berlin prisons, look after victims of violence or work as lay advisors. Last but not least, they are the first point of contact for the approximately 1,500 users of the info desk every month.

 

Are you also interested in charitable work? Do you want to support the work of Mann-O-Meter? Great, drop a line to our employee Marcus Behrens. Anyone who wants to join us will be prepared for the day-to-day work in an introductory course.

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