Karl Krause is a German queer writer, editor, and LGBTQ+ activist and one half of the couple behind Couple of Men, the internationally recognized, award-winning gay couple travel blog. As a gay travel blogger and content creator, Karl brings journalistic depth, cultural curiosity, and a strong sense of community to every story he tells. Born in the former East Germany, Karl’s personal history shapes his voice: reflective, politically conscious, and deeply rooted in the importance of visibility. Karl’s coming-out at the age of 18 led him not only to self-acceptance but to a path of purpose as a writer and content creator. Karl is using his writing and storytelling to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in tourism, media, and everyday life. Today, the work of Karl Krause, a gay travel blogger, empowers others to explore the world with confidence and pride.
Karl Krause – his early years as a gay person…
Karl grew up in a small town near Dresden in Eastern Germany during the final years of the GDR, a context that still shapes his perspective on freedom, identity, and cultural access. In the rural mountain area south of Dresden, coming out of the closet felt not only unsafe but dangerous at times. At school, he was bullied for his feminine behavior, for being a sensitive boy, and for his creative thinking. Naturally, access to queer culture was also limited in the early years of the new millennium. However, after finishing high school, Karl began working at the local hospital as part of his so-called social year. At this time, his coming-out, while not overly dramatic, was a turning point. Karl felt the time was right to come out, first to his friends, then to his parents and family, and then to live openly as a gay man.
… laid the foundation for his activism
But instead of taking the status quo of homophobia and the stigmatization of being queer for granted, he leveraged his newfound empowerment to effect change for future queer generations. He went back to his school, and together with his former teacher, they began educating pupils about being LGBTQ+, respect, acceptance, and inclusion, all voluntarily, of course. After Karl began his education to become a nurse in Dresden, he also started volunteering for the local LGBTQ+ community organization and NGO, Gerede e.V., in Dresden. Part of his work involved supporting the local Pride demonstration, and he was later elected to the board. Karl believes in queer joy, soft masculinity, and the power of shared visibility. His voice is quiet but clear – blending confidence with empathy.
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Writing with purpose – from health care to queer storytelling
After working as a trained nurse in Dresden and Berlin, Karl studied German language and art history in Germany. Then he met Daan in Berlin, for whom he relocated to the Dutch capital. It was then that his writing career began. His first job was writing about travel and culture for Travelbird after he moved to Amsterdam. This laid the foundation for him to become a travel writer. His second job in Amsterdam was for the Dutch mountain marketing websites snowplaza.de and indenbergen.de, where he could follow his passion for travel, nature, and wintersport. However, in his work as a travel writer, he discovered that queer stories were often relegated to the margins and made it his mission to change that.
In 2018, LGBTQ+ storyteller Karl Krause successfully started his own business. He founded the gay couple travel blog Couple of Men together with his husband Daan, who is responsible for the visual brand aspects of the queer travel platform. As the lead editor, Karl creates content that reflects the real experiences of LGBTQ+ travelers – stories rooted in respect, authenticity, and personal truth.
He has written and edited hundreds of blog articles in English and German, guided by inclusive language, his experiences as a gay man, and the ultimate goal of achieving equality for the LGBTQ+ community. His work appears in major queer and mainstream publications. Whether he’s writing about queer nightlife in Amsterdam or LGBTQ+ travel safety in Southern Africa, Karl approaches every subject with care, clarity, and connection, blending factual research with a deeply personal tone.
Karl’s editorial work
- Multilingual content: writing & translating in EN/DE/NL
- SEO strategy and queer-inclusive copywriting
- Cultural research and destination storytelling
- Campaign management and editorial consulting
Karl has used every platform available to support LGBTQ+ visibility in travel and public life. Take a look at the LGBTQ+ glossary, the article about LGBTQ+ history, or the article about queer memorials for reference.
Writing behind the scenes
For Karl, writing is more than a job — it’s a form of activism. As a native German speaker fluent in English and Dutch, he crafts multilingual texts with a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility. DEI plays an essential role not only in what he writes but in how he writes: language that respects identity, tone that welcomes, and words that empower.
His writing process strikes a balance between emotion and structure. He describes each article as a puzzle that has to fit both logically and atmospherically. Metaphors are a central part of his style: they create visual layers and allow readers to step directly into the experience.
Writing is like solving a puzzle. Each sentence has to fall into place, flow logically, and feel organic. I love using metaphors – they allow me to draw a picture with words that readers can walk into.
Karl Krause
What defines Karl’s style of writing
- Empathetic tone and narrative voice
- Use of metaphor and emotional language
- Clear, inclusive, and research-based
- Adaptable for different audiences and platforms
LGBTQ+ activism & visibility
Karl is a visible advocate for queer lives in the travel, culture, and media sectors. Through speaking engagements, panel discussions, and personal storytelling, he raises awareness for the needs and realities of LGBTQ+ travelers. His activism focuses on inclusion, safe representation, and the power of individual voices in public spaces.
As a member of IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association), Karl is part of a global network working toward more equitable and safe travel experiences for queer people. He contributes to this goal through media representation, brand consultancy, and destination storytelling.
Some of Karl’s most relevant appearances and awards
- 📚 Book reading at Homochrom Literaturfestival (Cologne, 2022)
- 🗣️ Panelist at ITB Berlin LGBTQ+ Travel Pavilion (2018, 2019 & 2023)
- 🌎 Panelist at GNetwork360 in Buenos Aires (2023)
- 🇪🇸 Panelist at LGBTQ+ Travel Symposium in Bilbao, Spain (2025)
- 🏆 Lonely Planet Best in Travel Storyteller Award (2021)
- 🏆 ITB Berlin LGBTQ+ Pioneer Award (2023)
Professional focus & services as a copywriter and translator
Karl’s work spans writing, editing, creative direction, and LGBTQ+ communication consulting. He helps brands and organizations craft messages that resonate with queer audiences, grounded in empathy, language precision, and cultural awareness. He offers content solutions that blend journalistic credibility with marketing relevance. His multilingual skills (native German, fluent English, conversational Dutch, and basic understanding of French) allow him to reach broad audiences across Europe and North America. In every role, he emphasizes visibility, clarity, and the stories that matter.
Karl Krause’s services in an overview
- LGBTQ+ blog editorial in English & German
- SEO copywriting and multilingual publishing
- UX copywriting and website content strategy
- DEI consulting & inclusive tone-of-voice support
- Research-based storytelling and destination coverage
- Social Media content creation (visuals and texts)
- Public speaking and interviews on LGBTQ+ travel
Interested in working with a German LGBTQ+ storyteller like Karl Krause? Check Karl’s LinkedIn profile!
Karl Krause Gay Travel Blogger publications & media features
Over the years, Karl has published in a range of queer and travel-oriented media. He writes both long-form destination pieces and short opinion editorials, always keeping queer visibility and accessibility in mind. His articles appear in German and international publications, and his storytelling has contributed to shaping a more inclusive travel narrative.
His proudest achievement is authoring the first German LGBTQ+ travel blog Couple of Men travel – Ein Männerpaar reist um die Welt, a personal reflection on queer love, culture, and global movement while traveling the world as an openly gay man.
A selection of Karl’s published work
- Couple of Men – Ein Männerpaar reist um die Welt (Book)
- Contributions to PinkNews, Queer.de, Huffington Post, Spartacus
- mannschaft.com – queer commentary & travel
- snowplaza.de – ski travel and LGBTQ+ perspectives
- indenbergen.de – hiking, community, and queer-friendly destinations
WORK WITH US: Learn all about the services we offer as Couple of Men.
Why Karl Krause matters in LGBTQ+ travel storytelling
As the voice behind many of Couple of Men’s most impactful travel guides and cultural articles, Karl Krause brings integrity, empathy, and experience to every campaign, collaboration, and publication. His work ensures that LGBTQ+ travelers are not only visible in global tourism narratives but truly seen, heard, and respected.
Whether through multilingual content creation, DEI-focused consultancy, or emotional editorial work, Karl continues to shape the queer travel space with purpose and authenticity.
Discover more about his work on Couple of Men and connect for collaborations, interviews, or features.
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Do you want to know more about travel news from the LGBTQ + community? Follow us on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook! See you at a Pride or CSD demonstration somewhere in this beautiful, diverse, and eclectic world! Karl & Daan.