LGBTQ Commissioner Pantisano Opens Up About His Serious Illness

It was mid-February when the content of the Instagram profile of Berlin’s LGBTQ+ affairs commissioner Alfonso Pantisano suddenly shifted: instead of queer and political posts, the SPD politician began posting photos of himself at Charité, detailing severe pain in the preceding weeks, endless examinations, growing exhaustion, yellowing of the skin, and above all an “itch all over my body, like I’ve never experienced.”

“We are in attack mode,” Pantisano said, “after more than two months of illness we’re trying everything to stop the symptoms.” He still has trouble sleeping, which takes a toll on him. On Thursday he reported his first light therapy at Charité. After that, he went back to work. (nb)