ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gender Theory Blamed for Blocking View of Islamist Violence in Berlin

opinion-review · 2026-07-29

A commentary in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung argues that gender theory obscures the role of Islamist violence in attacks on LGBTQ+ people in Berlin. The article cites the case of Beni Durrer, a makeup artist who fled homophobic violence in his conservative hometown and later found refuge in Berlin, only to flee again with his husband due to rising anti-gay attacks. The author claims that gender-theoretical frameworks misattribute such violence to systemic oppression rather than recognizing its Islamist roots. The piece critiques what it sees as a dangerous trivialization of Islamist extremism within progressive discourse.

Key facts

  • Beni Durrer fled homophobic violence from his conservative parents and later from Berlin.
  • Durrer is a makeup artist who found refuge in Berlin but left due to anti-gay attacks.
  • The NZZ commentary argues gender theory blocks recognition of Islamist violence.
  • The article claims Islamist extremism is mislabeled as systemic oppression.
  • Berlin is described as 'finished' by Durrer due to homophobic violence.
  • The commentary was published in Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
  • Durrer fled Berlin with his husband.
  • The piece critiques progressive discourse for trivializing Islamist threats.

Entities

Artists

  • Beni Durrer

Institutions

  • Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Locations

  • Berlin
  • Germany

Sources