Gay Vienna

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About Vienna and its LGBTQ+ Life

Throughout both historical periods and the current era, individuals identifying as gay have significantly contributed to Vienna's public sphere. Perhaps the most notable homosexual figure in Austrian history was Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), credited with liberating Vienna from a Turkish siege and driving the Ottoman forces back into the Balkan region. However, it wasn't solely on the battlefield that Eugene was exclusively accompanied by men; privately, he favored intimate relationships with individuals of the same sex - a well-acknowledged fact even during his lifetime. Nevertheless, he successfully advanced his career and expanded his influence under the rule of three emperors, and his enduring impact on Vienna remains evident to this day. His summer residence, Schloss Belvedere, stands as a striking testament to this legacy.

The final emperor under whom Prince Eugene served, Charles VI, is reputed to have maintained an intimate bond with Count Michael Johann Althan III, one of the select few individuals within the inner circle of the reserved and somewhat eccentric monarch. Following Althan's demise in 1722, the deeply sorrowful emperor reminisced that they had shared an intimate connection for "19 years, in true friendship." During Charles's reign, Vienna experienced a period of prosperity, witnessing the construction of the Karlskirche and the expansion of Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofburg.

Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria found himself burdened not only by the demands of governance but also by his younger, gay brother, Archduke Ludwig Viktor (1842-1919), who was affectionately known as 'Luziwuzi' amongst his companions. Luziwuzi had a reputation at court for his sharp wit and his penchant for cross-dressing. During one of his frequent visits to the indoor swimming facility known as the 'Centralbad' (which today houses the gay sauna Kaiserbründl), he inadvertently triggered a significant public uproar, resulting in him being physically struck in the face by an army officer who was unappreciative of his advances.

Among other notable figures are the designers behind the State Opera, the homosexual architectural duo Eduard van der Nüll (1812-1868) and August Sicard von Sicardsburg (1813-1868). The realm of music, intrinsically linked to Vienna's historical narrative, also boasts its share of gay personalities. The composer Franz Schubert (1797-1828) resided for over two years with his librettist, Johann Baptist Mayrhofer, who was known for his homosexuality. Their mutual fondness is chronicled in various lyrical pieces penned by Mayrhofer for Schubert, as well as in an opera titled 'Adrast' - a work unfortunately destined to remain incomplete.

The primary hub of Vienna's contemporary gay community, along with the majority of its establishments catering to homosexual patrons, is presently located in the vicinity of Linke Wienzeile and Rechte Wienzeile.

Celebratory annual occasions and LGBTQ+ themed happenings in Vienna include the Regenbogenball during the winter months, Vienna Pride accompanied by the Rainbow Parade in June, and Wien in Schwarz (Vienna in Black) which takes place in October.

(Compiled from an article by Robert Kastl.
All rights reserved by the Vienna Tourist Board.)