May 15, 2019
Haley Holsather

Art X Activism Events In Berlin: Queer History Month Round-Up

May is Queer History Month in Berlin. Even though weā€™re already halfway through the month, there are still SO many events to check out! Queer History Month is an educational initiative to remember and celebrate the individuals and events that have shaped queer history and queer liberation in Berlin and around the world. Itā€™s also a time to explore the overabundance of events that Berlin always has to offer! Here is an AWAC guide to the next couple of weeks. 

Two Festivals

Image via Facebook, Noon Festival

Noon Festival: Queer History Month x Ramadan
May 15th to May 30th
beā€™kech, ExerzierstraƟe 14. Wedding

As the first of its kind in Germany, Noon festival centers and celebrates queer, of color, and muslim identities. Starting tomorrow, beā€™kech in Wedding will host two weeks of performances, panel discussions, screenings, get-togethers, and parties to promote better representation and awareness. This festival is free and open to everyone, but donations are encouraged. All proceeds will go to Masjid Al-Rabiaā€™s Black and Pink Crescent, the only program in the world that provides spiritual advocacy and direct support to incarcerated, detained, and institutionalized queer and trans muslims. 

There are so many exciting events to attend! Weā€™ll drop a few right here. Be sure to take a look at each event listed on the main page to learn more about dates and times. 

Vogue Berlin – screenings and talk:
Thursday, May 16th, 19:30- 22:00
This evening features a screening of behind-the-scenes footage of Berlin Is Burning and a discussion with members of Berlinā€™s Voguing/Ballroom community.

Kiez Iftar:
Friday, May 17th, 19:30 – 22:00
an event with delicious food, lively conversation and beautiful music. This event is held in German and can be partially translated into English

Intersectionality In Queer Spaces – talk:
Tuesday, May 21st, 19:30 – 23:30
Artists and activists in Berlinā€™s queer nightlife scene will discuss the importance of intersectionality in queer spaces? What has already been achieved and what remains to be achieved?

Queerstories – community networking evening:
Saturday, May 25th, 19:30 – 23:00
a relaxed evening of conversation and tea at beā€™kech. 

KuirFest Berlin: Queer Feminist Rebels
May 23rd – June 7th
biā€™bak, Prinzenallee 59. Wedding

With this yearā€™s theme of ā€œQueer Feminist Rebels,ā€ KuirFest Berlin presents a series of films, talks, performances, and workshops that engage with alternative modes of filmmaking and queer representations. In reaction to the lifting of a ban on LGBTI+ events in Ankara in April of this year, organizers of the Pembe Hayat Kuirfest – Pink Life Queer Fest and biā€™bak have put together a program of events in Berlin focusing on transgressing boundaries and transnational solidarity. 

Have a look at the program right here! Discussions with filmmakers and other special guests accompany each screening. All screenings are also free.

The KuirFest opening party features a fantastic lineup of queer performers and DJs from Turkey that will have you laughing and dancing through the night! 10 euros.
Thursday, May 23rd, 21:30 – 6:00
SO36, OrianienstraƟe 190. Kreuzberg
Pick up tickets here or at the door.


Screenings, Panels, Concerts:

A still from Queercore: How to Punk a revolution. Image via https://homemcr.org/film/queercore-how-to-punk-a-revolution/

Screening of Queercore: How To Punk a Revolution
Wednesday, May 15th, 19:00 – 22:00
Schwules Museum, LĆ¼tzowstraƟe 73. Schƶneberg
A screening of the documentary film about queer punk identity and resistance in the American underground. Entry is 4 euros, and the event is wildly popular on Facebook as of now, so arrive early to secure a spot!

Black Queer Youth Space:
Saturday, May 20th 18:00 – 21:00
Each One Teach One (EOTO e.V.) TogostraƟe 76. Wedding
On the third Saturday of every second month, Each One Teach One (EOTO e.V.) hosts a space open to black LGBTQIA+ youth! This is the first meeting of many to come. Free event.

Natasha A. Kelly, image via https://www.hebbel-am-ufer.de/service/presse/kelly-schwarzer-feminismus/

Book launch with Natasha A. Kelly 
Monday, May 20th, 20:00 – 23:00
HAU1, StresemannstraƟe 29. Kreuzberg
Writer, curator, and filmmaker Natasha A. Kelly will present from her new volume ā€œSchwarzer Feminismusā€ (Black Feminism,) a collection of new writing accompanied by essays from influential Black womxn of the 19th and 20th centuries.  

NOTE: This event is free, but reservations should be made by May 17th to tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de. Over 1.7k are interested on Facebook, so arrive early if you would like a comfortable seat.

Screening of Audre Lorde – The Berlin Years:
Monday, May 20th, 20:00 – 22:00
Lichtblick Kino, Kastanianallee 77. Prenzlauer Berg
This documentary follows the visionary poet, author, and activist Audre Lorde through her life in Germany from 1984 – 1992 and her work with the Afro-German movement. Filmmakers Dagmar Schultz and Ika HĆ¼gel-Marshall will join for a discussion. 7 euros.

Audre Lorde in Berlin. Image via http://www.lichtblick-kino.org/film/dokumentarfilm/Audre_Lorde

Sound of Feminism:
Wednesday, May 22nd, Thursday, May 23rd, 20:00 – 21:00
Ballhaus NaunynstraƟe, NaunynstraƟe 27. Kreuzberg
A musical and performance project exploring empowerment, solidarity, and intersectionality. Part jam session and part dialogue, a group of young post-migrant, queer and BPoC womxn are preparing a night of listening and dancing the house down. Free event.

Queer History Month closing event
Friday, May 24th, 18:00 – 20:00
Aquarium Am SĆ¼dblock, Skalitzer StraƟe 6, Kreuzberg
Alles Queer macht der Mai! The official program for Queer History Month wraps up with an evening of talks and performances at Aquarium. Activists and historians are coming together to create visibility and sharestories about their lives and activism from PoC, trans, lesbian, and GDR perspectives. Free. This event is held in German.