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Germany's Top TV Journalist Anne Will Comes Out
"Yes we are a couple," she told reporters before posing under the museum's slogan, "Tolerance and Understanding", "but we would like to keep our private life private." The relationship between Will, a top political TV journalist in Germany who has become a national celebrity, and Meckel, a well-known media expert, has been widely speculated about in the media for some time, in part because the women have made little effort to hide their relationship. They attended the Federal Press Ball — Germany's most important social event — together in 2002, and dined with the Queen of the United Kingdom in 2004. But they have always declined to publicly confirm or comment on their relationship, until now.
Will rose to fame in the '90s as the host of various talk and sports shows, and was a television announcer for the 2000 Summer Olympics. She co-hosted Tagesthemen with Tom Buhrow from April 2001 to June 2007, reporting on national and political news and interviewing politicians like U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (read an English transcript here).
Will left the nightly news show to host her own political talk show on September 16th of this year, taking over for the previous host, Sabine Christiansen.
Meckel is currently Professor for Corporate Communication and Director of the Institute for Media and Communication Management at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. She was a journalist before becoming the youngest university professor in Germany in 1999. Will and Meckel's revelation has made national headlines in Germany in the last day, with newspapers touting the women as one of the nation's power couples.
In the wake of the announcement, Will's employer issued a public statement supporting Will, maintaining they were only concerned with her talent as a journalist, which has been "firmly established" by her success. In 2001, Germany instituted a form of civil unions, and then in 2004, granted gay and lesbian partners adoption rights. According to a December 2006 poll, over 52% of the nation supports granting same-sex couples full marriage rights, although the nation has yet to do so. There are a handful of out high-profile gay men in Germany, including the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, who came out in 2001 prior to the mayoral elections, and Hamburg's mayor, Ole von Beust. But Will and Meckel are among only a very few high-profile openly gay or bisexual women in Germany, especially in politics. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Anne
Will, the 41-year-old former anchorwoman of Germany's most popular
evening news show Tagesthemen, and current host of her own top-rated
political talk show Anne Will, officially came out at an event at the
Jewish Museum in Berlin this weekend by publicly acknowledging her five-year
relationship with Professor Miriam Meckel, 40.
Just goes to show
Holla.
Hot!
Wow how hot are those two!
Congrats to the Germans! They get to watch an out and proud lesbian on TV news. She's goregous. Note to self: Must. Learn. German.
Hopefully Americans will be getting one of our own soon, if MSNBC hires Rachel Maddow of Air America radio to host her own show.
Anderson Cooper shouldn't be the only gay in the village on cable news!
Yay! During my youth I
Yay! During my youth I used to watch Tagesthemen in the early hours with subtitles on. You've got to love lack of entertainment in the UK in the early hours, and Sky TV!
Yay!
A long road
http://www.asearchforlove.blogspot.com/
Ah, so good to read this
whoah!
That really inspired me and empowered a lot of us for sure. If I would be asked of a best lesbian moment, this Anne Will-coming-out event is a very good pick indeed!
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"Just one thing … It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent — lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It's as simple as that." Fair Play by Tove JanssonTwo words
Geil!!!
Endlich!!!
-Kara :)
was about time
i agree with ina. new rolemodels and such good ones!
it is great to see two sucessfull women coming out here in germany. there are precious few outed lesbians in the media here and I love to see that she finally outed herself.
Chears for my neighbours!
I have no idea who she is, because I never watch German tv, but still I think it's great news! Really cute couple too! We have things like that here, but it's not often that big a news:p
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=kisshester
Ulrike Folkerts
The English version of Wikipedia has only little information about the German actress, here it is:
Ulrike Folkerts (born 14 May 1961 in Kassel, Hesse, Germany) is a German actress. She is most famous for playing police officer Lena Odenthal in the German crime television series Tatort. The episodes are located in the town of Ludwigshafen.Folkerts, who is openly lesbian, participated in the Gay Games 2002 in Sydney and won a silver and bronze medal in the swimming relay. In the single competition she was disqualified because of a false start. In July 2004 she won a bronze medal at the Eurogames in Muenchen.
On the stage, in 2005 and 2006 she was the first woman to play Death in Hugo von Hofmannsthal's version of Everyman, Jedermann, at the Salzburg Festival.She outed herself in 1998 and made front-page on the Bild-Zeitung as did Anne Will now. Bild-Zeitung is, well, not my newspaper, the newspapers I read put it somewhere under "People" or "Magazine" or whereever. Right next to the weekend´s weather report which had more lines. As much as I congratulate Anne Will for finally taking this step, she is, by far, not the first and not the only one.
Just my five points.
(And apologies for the screwed formatting, it´s not my fault, it looks fine in my preview - but we have been there before *sigh*)
Anne Will
Thank you for giving them a whole article, Sarah! I was soo happy yesterday to read that she finally confirmed what the media and the community already knew! I think it is great for our visibility!
I think on the one hand it is good that her network (NDR) expresses its support and say they only care about how she does her job and her private life does not play a role there. But on the other hand this also shows that just admitting you have a same-sex partner still seems to be enough of an issue to do an official press release expressing support for that. I think the NDR normally does not do that for its heterosexual high profile employees... Hopefully we will reach complete normalcy some day.
Oh, and you can even watch Anne's interview with Condi here. (unfortunately it is dubbed)
wowie
I live in germany and I haven't even heard of this yet..... AfterEllen rocks!!!!
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THE UNOFFICIAL JILL BENNETT FANCLUB WEBPAGE
http://www.freewebs.com/ujbfc
NOW WITH Jill & Jamie Q&A's!!!&
Same here
When AE knows what's happening in Germany before us, that means (a) AE does indeed rock and (b) I should spend more time following the actual news...
btw I love how AE is becoming more and more international.
the
news always depress me or anger me or just plain out upset me so I don't watch......
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THE UNOFFICIAL JILL BENNETT FANCLUB WEBPAGE
http://www.freewebs.com/ujbfc
NOW WITH Jill & Jamie Q&A's!!!&
:)
This just makes me smile :)
~*~Alice: Thank god you're here we're totally outnumbered. Bette: What do you mean? Alice: Straight people. Bette: Oh, Jesus.~*~
~*~Alice: Thank god you're
Kind of interesting....
Kind of interesting that so many TV hosts are lesbian.....Ellen, Rosie....maybe others (hint: Ms. King's friend)....
Maybe because it takes guts to be in front of a camera and it takes a lot of guts to be out.
--Mari
Mari SanGiovanni
Author of: Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer...
www.GreetingsFromJamaica.com
@hearer: Yes, you are
I didn't know Bettina
I didn't know Bettina Böttinger is gay. :) yay, love her show "B. trifft".
Exactely, Anne and Miriam are the new lesbian power couple, we don't need Ellen and Portia anymore. ;) We got our own.
Bettina Böttinger
Yeah, she was publicly outed by Harald Schmidt in his late night show in 1995. And in a pretty ugly way: he showed four pictures: one of her, a toilet bowl, egg liqueur and the feminist women's magazine "Emma", and then he asked what all four of them had in common.... Answer: No man would ever touch them.
And the interesting thing is: he alluded to this joke three weeks ago in his show: This time he showed pictures of Carmen Nebel, Veronica Ferres, Bettina Böttinger and Anne Will. Again he asked what those four had in common. Then he started: "No man...." and then paused for a long while -audience laughing already- and he ended the sentence with "..would deny that those women are extremely successful in German TV." Yeah, right…. I would assume this added to Anne Will's pressure to come out already. ;) But I’m really curious if and how he will comment on her coming out on Thursday.
Harald Schmidt
Thanks, I googled her today and found that out, too. I like Harald Schmidt a lot, but that joke is not very tasteful. But then, he's making fun of everyone (Nazis, Homosexuals, Politicians etc.). But I don't think the joke three weeks ago put the pressure on Anne Will. Carmen Nebel and Veronica Ferres aren't gay (just creepy ;) ).
I'm looking forward to Schmidt & Pocher on Thursday, too. The Will Outing is everywhere in the media and he will talk about it for sure and make some jokes.
who are you referring to by
who are you referring to by "polititians that are not exactly hiding"?? Can't think of any...
Sorry, I replied to your
Sorry, I replied to your message yesterday already, but my comment mysteriously disappeared.
Well, the head of the Green party's parliamentary faction isn't exactly pretending to be straight (Fraktionsvorsitzende der Grünen, in case I didn't get the English expression right), and I am pretty sure about the federal minister of culture & education, though she responded in a truly vile manner to rumours that she is gay some time ago. I was sure when I posted my comment above, that I could think of some more, but now I can only think of men. The one I was sure about I just googled as married and straight, damn my prejudices... ;-)
Oh, and there are some lesbian politicians that are out and proud, as someone mentioned in another comment. Lissy Gröner and Sybill Klotz are two of them.
They are also mentioned in this article, which I also consider to be one of the best ones about Anne Will's coming 0ut I have read so far:
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/,tt9m1/leben/artikel/165/143842/
For English-speaking readers: This article lauds the quiet, matter-of-fact way of coming out by just saying "Yes, we are a couple" instead of making a big declaration like Berlin mayor Wowereit did some time ago ("I am gay and that is a good thing."). And it gives a short history of coming-out as well.
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies." (Alice)
Sueddeutsche ...
Thank you so much for mentioning this wonderful article that I wouldn't have read otherwise! "Pathos der Nüchternheit", very nice indeed. But have you seen some of the comments? I was really taken aback by the attitude of most of the posters. I always imagined readers of the Sueddeutsche to be ... more reflective, I guess.
Welcome, it was also in the
Welcome, it was also in the printed edition today, featured rather prominently. I will actually save that edition, loved the article very much.
I read the comments, unfortunately. Luckily the administrators intervened at some point.
But then again the internet seems to bring out the worst in people and anonymous forums tend to attract a bunch of idiots - this community here is a HUGE exception, but on many other forums the comments give me chills on many topics.
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies." (Alice)
a rough history indeed...
merci für den super informativen süddt. artikel. cheers. always kinda felt some kind of special connection (attraction?) towards will... now we know why ;-).
but why the heck should gay lead to safety concerns in the military...? that's plain... well... not modern times... fear everything different or what?
... singing 'rudolph, the red nosed reindeer'!
Out in Germany
I guess the point I wanted to make by mentioning Ulrike Folkerts is that, even nine years after her outing, basically nothing has changed:
Bild-Zeitung: creates these giant headlines and will continue to run them for the next couple of days
“normal” newspapers: state the facts
The public either thinks: “Disgusting” or “yay” or other reactions I have heard but don´t wish to repeat here
I think: “so what ?”
The next lesbian outing herself, let´s say in another ten years, will still get the same reaction.
(Oh, and Bettina Böttinger is bi, but living with a woman.)
Anne and Miriam
Thank you Sarah for writing an entire article about Anne Will and Miriam Meckel. It was very surprising for me that she came out yesterday. Because most German lesbians knew, that Anne was gay for a long time. She never denied it and generally made no comments about her personal life. Her outing caused a lot of newspaper articles, 'cause there are only a few famous German lesbians: Ulrike Folkerts, Hella von Sinnen and her partner Cornelia Scheel, Maren Kroymann, Vera IntVeen and that's about it.
I don't quite understand, why she came out now. To me it seems on the one hand like a publicity stunt. Now, that she has her own show and is on the top of tv-heaven, she finally admits it. Maybe she thought, if she would have come out earlier, it would have ruined her career and that leaves a bitter taste.
But overall I'm really happy, 'cause it is important for our visibility. And damn! Aren't they gorgeous?? :)
GREAT STUFF !!
I wasn't even expecting to read these headline-news on AE. GREAT STUFF. Thanks Sarah! I surfed up and down the internet last night in order to find some more stories around these two prominent "tits and wits".
Ms Meckel is quite a character. I met her once in a meeting when she was working for Clement in NRW. Lots of brain, that's for sure.
I am glad they decided to come out. A real power couple amongst Germany's VIP. I like them both.
I am not so sure about the timing either, Ally85. I am not awar of any special pressure or necessity. Perhaps it's because they are very settled (career-wise) and think that no one can question their abilities any more. They are still pretty young (I can say this as I am "only" 40 myself :-))))) and very successful, both of them alike. That's something a mixed couple very often cannot show off with. .....just some ideas
"I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir," said Alice, "because I'm not myself, you see."
("Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll)
yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!
My own personal best lesbian moment. Ever. How I wish this had happenend when I was younger and starving for a rolemodel! This woman is a true inspiration, I love her :D
The media reception is extremely positive, today the BILD-Zeitung's frontpage says "the love sensation of the year" (no.1 tabloid and kind of disgusting,, but whatever) In two sentences they mention the word "beautiful" like 4 times :D My feelings are kind of mixed on this, but at least nearly every person in the country will become aware of the fact that their beautiful prime-time "girl-next-door" is a lesbian...
Let's see what Harald schmidt has to say about this on thursday night... O_o
Jaaaaa,
Many thanks to Sarah for making it headlines on AfterEllen, as well!
My gf thought me a tad bit insane when I did a snoopy dance around the living room yesterday after having read about Anne Will and Miriam Meckel. But as Ina says it's so great to have these wonderful women as - finally - visible role models. And Will's girl-next-door-appeal might help against the homo-uncomfortableness of some German folks - more probably than the hilariousness of Hella von Sinnen, for example, whom I totally adore. I would love to know though what prompted them to publicly acknowledge their never seriously hidden relationship at this very moment ... I hope they did it wholeheartedly and voluntarily and it is not a somewhat forced coming out by the ever insisting BILD-Zeitung now that Anne Will is even more popular with her new talk show.
Great That Anne Will came
Great That Anne Will came out. But I have to confess I never heard of her before. I never watch Tagesthemen and I haven't seen her talk show either.
______________
check out Sarah Bettens at www.myspace.com/sarahbettens
wow
power to them, amazing story and definitely the most inspiring I've read for a long time! =]
----------------------------------------------------------------
<i>"stare life in the face, be unafraid" </i>
Wunderbar...
Anne Will
While this isn't exactly news to lesbians who've paid attention over the years, it's still great for visibility. Two weeks ago, the heterosexual relationship of another female tv journalist (Maybrit Illner) was widely publicized. Anne Will's relationship may not have been reported with the exact same intentions. But it's kind of inclusive. So, we're talking about tv journalists' relationships this month. Okay, next. Of course, this is getting way more press, but while the tabloids can't hold back on the sensationalism, of course, the two women are portrayed in a very positive light - as a happy and successful couple.
Although I read more news than I watch, I've always had a soft spot for Anne Will and her smarts. It's very cool for her that she feels she can be open about herself. And it's kinda cool for us, too.
Excellent, Anne Will!
Well, I guess I'm one of
Well, I guess I'm one of those who "didn't pay attention", cause it did surprise me a bit, lol. Maybe I should tune my gaydar a bit better! Anyways, great that this is mentioned on AE! :)
~'Thanks for nothin'...~
Finally!
Well, I didn't hear about it yesterday already but this afternoon when I stumbled across the BILD at the bakery store. I smirked, wondered why it took BILD so long to get them on the front page (with a very old picture even!) and then I was in a very cheerful mood for hours. Although most german lesbians knew about them to most straight people it's news and I think it's really great that there is finally a very popular lesbian in Germany (who doesn't work in the entertainment industry).
btw, Ina, Karin Wolff isn't the first out lesbian politician in Germany, but of course the highest profile one. Others would be Sybill-Anka Klotz (of Bündnis 90/Grüne) and some PDS politician I forgot the name of.
Anyway, congratulations to Anne and Miriam for a successful coming out!!! :)
btw, I am totally stunned that it's already old news on AE! Compliments on that one. You really rock!
They are both so hot and sexy!
lesbian without borders
I still can't believe it...
... although I knew for a long time they were together.
It is great news that there is such a glamorous out lesbian couple in the German-speaking part of Europe and not only in Hollywood or New York! Of course it is even more fascinating that they are both incredibly smart and beautiful.
Thanks for posting this, Sarah, you did a very good job with the translation!
******
We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are. - Anaïs Nin
Anne Will
I was thinking about informing AE, but well... there you go :-)
I'm glad that she "came out" and shows some diversity. It hopefully helps to reduce predjudices.
oh... a press release from her employer to comment on the relationship? I think that's weird... have there been press releases commenting on straight relationships? I don't know. At least it says that the private life doesn't matter and that she does a great job and that's the most important thing (for her employer, of course) :-)
Yeah
the german gay community knew it for long and so does everyone now....and i thought miriam and anne split up??
mh, anyway, they are a very powerful couple and (i hope) rolemodels for gay people! but the discussions and all the headlines show that we need a lot more to gain full acceptance!
...somewhere in a few years...: "where were you when anne came out!?!" ;o)
Finally
I used to watch Tagesthemen
... when I was younger and I've always thought Anne Will was very easy on the eyes. I also watched some Tatort - with Lena Odenthal - all to practice/keep up my German (I'm not German). Nice to see her and her partner come out :)
_ _ _ _ _
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)
quick response!!
first of all, wow, Sarah, you are really fast! thanks for writing such a long article about them, I couldn't stop grinning when I read this news online. I don't have german tv right now, so I don't watch her show, but I think it's so great that she was honest and didn't turn it into a big deal. I think the overall response, also online, was really positiv, apart from a few idiots. I'm just happy that another german lesbian come out, cause in Austria there is one single politician who came out as a lesbian and that's it!! very sad...
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from." ~ Jodie Foster
wondering...
are there actually any out lesbians in austria?????? can't think of any...
the news about anne will made my day... thanks for posting it on afterellen! you're the best!!!!!!!!!!
Ulrike Lunacek
Ulrike Lunacek, she's the only one I know who is out and proud in Austria! and I didn't know that she was gay until I got active in the lesbian community. she is in the parlament for the "Grünen". she is the only person who is mentioned in the news when there are discussions about gay marriage and so on.
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from." ~ Jodie Foster
Oh Shiza!
sorry it's the only german word, I know. But yay! I love power lesbian couples.
www.myspace.com/blasianbeatnik02
Yay!
i guess good news travels
i guess good news travels fast... yipiiiiii!