Contents
Michael von der Heide speaks openly with editor Léa Spirig on “G&G” about his homosexuality, coming out and his political streak.
Michael von der Heide (52) inspires people with his music. The musician is always friendly, approachable and in a good mood. Von der Heide also likes to talk openly and honestly about his homosexuality. His motto: “Live and let live!”
Michael von der Heide has lived with his long-time partner Willi Spiess in Rümlang (ZH), in the middle of the country, for many years. The musician feels very comfortable there. «At first we had a little respect for the country. “More and more gays are now moving to Rümlang,” says von der Heide.
Willi and Michael have been a couple for 29 years, but the two did not want to register their partnership. “We don’t like the word register at all,” says the singer.
Wedding? None!
But that is not the only reason which prevents the couple from getting married. «We know many couples who have been together for a long time. When they got married, the couple divorced,” he adds. However, the couple does not completely rule out entering into marriage. There are still discussions about this, but there is no wedding planned at the moment.
Michael and homosexuality
The now 52-year-old grew up high above Lake Walen in Amden (SG). He particularly remembers the time when he realized a change: “I didn’t like playing football. I preferred being with the girls.”
The difference to the other boys in his year was big. This is how the teenager realized that he liked men. This is also thanks, among other things, to the cult magazine “Bravo”. There he discovered his attraction to the male gender.
But deep down I knew it wasn’t a phase.
The musician continues: “It was said again and again on Bravo that it could just be a phase. But deep down I knew it wasn’t a phase.”
“I was a late bloomer”
When he was 20 years old, the current musician worked as a nursing specialist. He had never had sexual experiences before. It was only at a later point in time that she had her first intimate experience with a man. After this contact, the young person decided to inform his parents about it. “That was very difficult for me,” he says today. Michael von der Heide revealed his homosexuality to his parents. They reacted calmly: “We know that!”
At the beginning of the 90s, the cheerful nature decided to go to Zurich: “It was great for me to finally come to Zurich.” He was particularly looking forward to making new acquaintances in the city. “It was exciting. I was allowed to kiss a lot of frogs until I found my prince,” he says with a smile.