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

May is Queer History Month in Berlin. Even though we’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. It’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

Noon Festival: Queer History Month x Ramadan
May 15th to May 30th
be’kech, Exerzierstraße 14. Wedding

As the first of its kind in Germany, Noon festival centers and celebrates queer, of color, and muslim identities. Starting tomorrow, be’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-Rabia’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! We’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 Berlin’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 Berlin’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 be’kech. 

KuirFest Berlin: Queer Feminist Rebels
May 23rd – June 7th
bi’bak, Prinzenallee 59. Wedding

With this year’s theme of “Queer Feminist Rebels,” 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 bi’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, Orianienstraße 190. Kreuzberg
Pick up tickets here or at the door.

Screenings, Panels, Concerts:

Screening of Queercore: How To Punk a Revolution
Wednesday, May 15th, 19:00 – 22:00
Schwules Museum, Lützowstraße 73. Schöneberg
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.) Togostraße 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.

Book launch with Natasha A. Kelly 
Monday, May 20th, 20:00 – 23:00
HAU1, Stresemannstraße 29. Kreuzberg
Writer, curator, and filmmaker Natasha A. Kelly will present from her new volume “Schwarzer Feminismus” (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 Hügel-Marshall will join for a discussion. 7 euros.

Sound of Feminism:
Wednesday, May 22nd, Thursday, May 23rd, 20:00 – 21:00
Ballhaus Naunynstraße, Naunynstraße 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 Südblock, Skalitzer Straße 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.