When reporting on the Berlin erotic fair Venus, which runs from September 25 to 28, 2025 for the 28th time on the exhibition grounds beneath the Funkturm, the visuals are typically of naked, young women. The organizers aren’t happy about that portrayal; they want, under the motto “Rock, Rebellion and Rainbow Power,” to celebrate diversity, break boundaries, and live love—as stated in a press release. This year, too, there will be a Queer Space.
Walter Hasenclever has been part of the Venus team from the start and serves as its spokesperson. We spoke with him about the fair as a “place of enlightenment” against rollback, why it’s not only heterosexual men who visit Venus, why erotica shouldn’t be boxed into categories, and why asexuality is also aTopic of eroticism.
The Venus has grown more widely known in recent years and hasn’t only gained worldwide resonance within the erotica scene. What role does the queer community now play for the fair?
The queer community has long been a fixed part of Venus. They bring new perspectives, creativity, and diversity to the fair—and actively shape its development. With formats like the Queer Space we deliberately give this diversity a stage. For us, it’s clear: erotica thrives on diversity—and Venus wouldn’t be what it is today without the LGBTQIA+ community.
But Venus began as a heterosexual and normative sex fair… Has being different become more mainstream since then?
Yes, definitely. Queer people were always part of Venus, just not always as visible as today. We’re witnessing a broader opening in society—and in our fair as well. What used to be seen as “different” has become commonplace: fetishes, role-plays, queer erotica, or non-normative relationship models are now part of the mainstream for our visitors. Venus reflects this social shift: openness, experimentation, and self-determination are the new standards.
But isn’t the majority of visitors probably male? Can women and people who are female-identified still get as much out of erotic fairs?
The majority is still male, but the share of women and queer attendees is steadily growing—and is now around 45 percent. Many people don’t realize it, but every year the number of female-identified guests rises. Many women now see Venus as a place to get inspired, test products, and safely explore new facets of their sexuality. Especially with a stronger focus on female pleasure and queer perspectives, we’re reaching groups that were less visible in the past.
There are still many prejudices and stereotypes about sexuality in society overall. Isn’t there still a lot to catch up on?
Yes, absolutely. Even though society pays lip service to tolerance, there are still massive prejudices—both in society at large and within individual communities. Venus aims to be a space for education: we showcase the diversity of sexual identities and practices and encourage breaking down stereotypes. Erotica should not be thought of in boxes.
I’ve heard that asexuality should be featured at the fair as well…
We’re aware that, for example, asexuality or intersex visibility is less visible—and that’s precisely why it’s important to give these voices space. In panels, community projects, and exhibitors who bring such perspectives, we’re increasingly addressing these topics. Asexuality is by no means “un-erotic,” but it opens up new perspectives on closeness, intimacy, and self-determination.
We live in pretty strange times… What do you think about political efforts to roll back the progress of education?
Such tendencies are dangerous and backward-looking. You can’t ban or push back sexuality—it will always find a path forward. Especially in an era of the Internet, digitalization, and social media, education is more present and relevant than ever. Our mission is to make diversity visible and to stand up for education. Venus clearly champions freedom, self-determination, and opposition to censorship or rollback.
The fair keeps getting bigger. Do you plan to expand the queer section at Venus even more in the coming years?
Yes, absolutely. The launch with the Queer Space is just the beginning. The response has been overwhelming, and it’s clear there’s a growing demand. Diversity isn’t a trend—it’s the future—and Venus will continue to actively promote and showcase this diversity in the years ahead.
