Hands Full

Hands Full is a zine that documents memories of Berlin’s lesbian nightlife based on interviews with people who were a part of it. Mahide was a part of West Berlin’s feminist art space Pelze which opened in 1984. Later in the 90s, narrator Dr. Laura Méritt began to organize lesbian takeovers at gay cruising sites, started a lesbian call girl service and, together with her friends, threw the first lesbian sex parties here. Our narrator Lee worked at the lesbian club Lipstick, observing all the drama from behind the bar until it closed in 1995. Narrators spoke from their own experiences and politics. They offer evidence of sexual practices, desires, and fantasies. These are stories of art, activism, gentrification, and using snot as lube.

Illustrated by Heather Purcell
Written by Heather Purcell & Syd Ramirez
Designed by Landon Whittaker
Based on interviews conducted in Spring 2024
Cover image by Petra Gall: Nacht der bösen Mösen (1993)
24 pages