Jano

I'm Jano from Hungary and I'm currently an exchange student in Northern Germany. If I had to describe everything, I would say that: everything else, better, more beautiful. I experienced a lot here during my exchange year, a lot of nice (gay) things.

I remember on my first date in Germany. That was madness! I have never experienced in Hungary when two men are walking down the street, take each other's hands and kiss, just be happy, nothing happens. Really nothing! People kept walking down the street and didn't say anything because being gay is totally normal in Germany. I felt so good as I have never felt in my life that I can walk down the street with my love without any problem, kiss him, take his hand.

Unfortunately, people in Hungary would not be of this opinion. They would judge us for being gay and saying other nice things. I had been coming out about four months before I left. My mum accepted it very well, but my father cut off contact with me because of it. I thought it's not a problem, I didn't have that much to do with him before, it's his business.

Overall: it's really no problem to be gay/bi/lesbian/trans in Germany. People accept them and they think they are people too, part of the population/society. It doesn't matter what you are. It's more important who you are.

Unfortunately, when I wrote my application for AFS, I didn't write in there that I was gay. Now I think it would be better if I mentioned it then maybe I have minus a host family change. "People who haven't met homosexuality can still learn how to do it." - said Andrea and Shuggi, the two leaders of QueerSwap. I found it very good that there was help behind me – AFS and QueerTausch. QueerTausch is a very good invention for the exchange students who are "special". They always try to help in some way when someone contacts them. When I needed a new host family, they looked for one for me together with AFS. So I'd be happy to recommend getting in touch with him! =)

Be who you are and be glad you are!

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