I'll go looking for something that isn't just a quirky online article, but it's been a while since I read about it and it wasn't in English sadly. I know I've seen other users on here post about it (with sources) so I know there is some stuff in English.

A little bit of search found me this article https://www.jstor.org/stable/2500548 which looks to be ok, but it is written by a former spy and smuggler, so I don't feel like I can vouch for it.

I think @kristina@hexbear.net is from a former eastblock country, and she seems very knowledgeable on the area (or at least about everyday life - I've seen her write about restaurant culture and the like) so maybe she has some good sources in English. I don't know if it was her that was talking about queer zines worrying about the fall of the GDR.

There's also this thread from two years ago