More space for the community

Bars, clubs, societies or groups: as queer communities, we have fought hard over decades to secure spaces – spaces that remain indispensable to queer people to this day. But one question remains: do we have enough space for everyone?

Studies such as the FRA survey on anti-queer sentiment and ‘Positive Stimmen 2.0’ make it clear that many of us continue to experience discrimination and exclusion – even within our own communities.

Political tensions and social uncertainties currently characterise our everyday lives. This makes it all the more important for us as queer communities to stand together and preserve the places that give us support – bars, clubs, cultural centres, associations, groups and initiatives. These spaces are part of our history. And they are part of our future.

Together, we can ensure that there is room for all of us.

Whether gay, trans, bi, inter, lesbian, non-binary, HIV-positive, BIPoC, people with disabilities, kinksters, youngsters or best agers – we all need places where we are not alone, where we can feel safe, where we can simply be ourselves. Especially now, in a time of crisis and increasing social divisions, we need spaces that strengthen and support us.

For us as queer communities, this means pooling our resources, standing up for each other, raising awareness of our concerns and defending our rights. To do this, we need spaces that empower – not exclude.

Both as individuals and together as a community, we can help to create more safe spaces. This is precisely where our „MEHR RAUM“ campaign comes in: we want to engage in dialogue with one another, learn from one another and share strategies on how we can strengthen and expand spaces for all queer people.