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« Tell them about it! » A travelogue from Ukraine

Due to high demand we offer another lecture with Sibylle! On her charity trip through Ukraine, Sibylle von Tiedemann visited our friends and LGBTIQ* organisations in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and she was received with open arms. Sibylle has already talked about her trip at the lesbian community centre LeZ. On Wednesday, 29 March, at 7.30 pm, she now invites you to the gay community centre SUB, Müllerstraße 14. Join in!

At first it was just a vague idea, but it soon took shape. And then, end of November, Sibylle started her journey to Ukraine.

She went because she wanted to be there. With her friends, in the country she loves, in the city of Kyiv, which she had grown so fond of over the years.

Sibylle also wanted to collect donations for Munich Kyiv Queer and the “Bridge for Kyiv”, an association that supports people in need, especially children and large families who have not much of an income.

Donors can win wine, coffee and toilet paper from Ukraine

In the end, she stayed for over a month. At the gay-queer centre SUB, Müllerstraße 14, she will give a new lecture on her journey on Wednesday, 29 March, starting at 7.30 pm. Her first event in February was well attended; not all those interested were able to participate. That is why she is going to show photos and videos and talk about her experiences again. The evening will be moderated by Conrad Breyer, spokesperson for Munich Kyiv Queer.

Among donors – the goal was to collect 18,000 euros, nearly 14,000 we got so far – we will raffle off souvenirs from Ukraine, such as craft wine from Odesa, toilet paper with Putin’s portrait and coffee with the popular slogan of a Ukrainian soldier who refused to surrender with his troops on Snake Island. He said: “Russian warship, f… you!”

Sibylle has been to Ukraine many times in recent years. Munich Kyiv Queer exists since 2012 and Sibylle co-founded the group. For several years she also was a spokesperson. We campaign for the Human Rights of LGBTIQ* people in Munich’s twin city Kyiv and beyond. Sibylle has often accompanied the group during their activities, for example at KyivPride.

But Sibylle is a PhD Slavicist and historian, too. As a research assistant for the NS Documentation Centre in Munich, she interviewed former Ostarbeiter who were deported to Munich for forced labour during the Nazi era.

In 2018, she co-edited the memorial book for Munich victims of the National Socialist “euthanasia” murders. It was a milestone in her work about this forgotten group of victims.

Sibylle prepared her trip very acurateley. She talked to experts and friends who really appreciated her travel plans. She was warmly welcomed by people in Ukraine. Sibylle reported on her personal observations in a well-received blog, which can be read here.

The stories she wrote are touching. Queer people suffer particularly as a vulnerable group in the war. But the blog also tells of courage, creative protest and a spirit of optimism in a country terrorised by Putin’s troops.

She sees her travelogue as a mission

She says: “I couldn’t bear to watch the misery from afar, to send a little heart via Facebook here, to post a #StandWithUkraine there, to transfer money.”

In Kharkiv, a young Ukrainian woman showed her houses where people had lived until recently. They were totally destroyed. “Tell them about this in Germany,” she begged her. Sibylle understands this as a mission.

When: Wednesday, 29th of March, 7.30 p.m.
Where: SUB, Müllerstraße 14, Munich
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organized by: Munich Kyiv Queer, SUB, CSD München, Cultural Department of the City of Munich

This is how you can help

INDIVIDUAL HELP Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine who need help and are not organised in the local LGBTIQ*-groups. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

HELP FOR LGBTIQ* ORGANISATIONS To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

HOUSING FOR QUEER REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE LGBTIQ* often have seen discrimination in their lifes, therefore queer refugees are particularly vulnerable. Many are traumatised and now they experience re-traumatisation on the run. We want to offer them a home where they feel comfortable and can live without fear. Depending on availability, we rent two-, three-, four- or five-room flats and sublet them to people in need as shared flats. Our association does not have any funding yet, so we depend on donations. For example, we have to advance rent and deposits until the State’s job centres step in.

Donate here:
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
Munich Queer Homes e.V.

We need you for our mentoring programme

The war in Europe makes people feel helpless. Just watching people die in Ukraine is frustrating. But you can do something here in Munich – even if your flat is small, your wallet might be empty and your Ukrainian language skills are limited. Open your hearts for queer refugees from Ukraine and become a mentor. A first meeting will take place on 28th of February at 7pm at the lesbian-queer community centre LeZ, Müllerstraße 26.

Becoming a mentor? Is not complicated at all. First of all, it’s all about simple things: invite our friends from Ukraine to your home or simply have a coffee together, go for a walk or visit a concert. Share your hobby, your sport, your music.

If it suits you, support them dealing with the authorities, help if they have problems with their landords or on the job.

After almost a year of war, our friends are looking for perspectives in order to make a living here. To do so, they need to get in touch with people who speak German and understand how the local society works.

We don’t just offer them a roof (in German: DACH) to survive. We offer a safe space to find help and orientation. Nobody’s left behind.

Kick-off: Help and find new friends

To this end, we are launching the DACH mentoring programme. And we invite you to the kick-off meeting on Tuesday, 28th of February, at 7pm at the lesbian-queer centre LeZ in Müllerstraße 26.

What awaits you at LeZ? A nice evening to get to know each other. Mentors and mentees will introduce themselves. Drinks, snacks will be at your disposal; we’ll have som music and maybe even sing ;).

What do I bring? Just yourself. Be curios!

Do I have to commit right away? No, if you are interested, you can first listen to everything we have to say, you’ll be introduced to the other mentors and mentees and then you may consider everything once again. If you are interested, we will send you a questionnaire about our mentoring programme. If you are already sure, you can also register here (in German language though).

Where can I get more information? Send an email to mentoring@munichkyivqueer.org or just drop by.

Don’t forget: Helping others does not only bring good karma – it’s also fun! Our Ukrainian friends have a lot to offer. And you have the chance to expand your circle of friends, meet new people and learn about another culture.

When: Tuesday, 28th of February, 7 p.m.
Where: LeZ, Müllerstraße 26, Munich
Contact: mentoring@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organized by: Munich Queer Homes, Munich Kyiv Queer, LeZ

This is how you can help

INDIVIDUAL HELP Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine who need help and are not organised in the local LGBTIQ*-groups. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

HELP FOR LGBTIQ* ORGANISATIONS To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

HOUSING FOR QUEER REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE LGBTIQ* often have seen discrimination in their lifes, therefore queer refugees are particularly vulnerable. Many are traumatised and now they experience re-traumatisation on the run. We want to offer them a home where they feel comfortable and can live without fear. Depending on availability, we rent two-, three-, four- or five-room flats and sublet them to people in need as shared flats. Our association does not have any funding yet, so we depend on donations. For example, we have to advance rent and deposits until the State’s job centres step in.

Donate here:
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
Munich Queer Homes e.V.

Insta Live – One Year of War, chat with Sibylle von Tiedemann

For those who missed her lecture: Sibylle von Tiedemann, founding member of Munich Kyiv Queer, has recently been to Ukraine to blog about the war, visit our friends and collect donations. She will talk about her trip again on Thursday, 23 February, at 7.30 pm on the Instagram channels of CSD and Munich Kyiv Queer.

In an interview with Frank Zuber from CSD Munich, Sibylle talks about her experiences, about how our friends in Ukraine are doing and how we can help. You can read her BLOG here

LGBTIQ* suffer. Like many others, they have lost their jobs, homes, families and friends, but as a vulnerable group they face particular challenges: They cannot rely on stable family structures, for example, their legal status as a couple/rainbow family is not recognised, they experience discrimination and attacks on a daily basis, to name just a few aspects.

Join us next Thursday when we chat. Comment, ask your questions.

When: Thursday, 23rd of February, 7.30 p.m.
Where: Instagram Channels of CSD and Munich Kyiv Queer
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: CSD, Munich Kyiv Queer

This is how you can help

INDIVIDUAL HELP Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine who need help and are not organised in the local LGBTIQ*-groups. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

HELP FOR LGBTIQ* ORGANISATIONS To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

HOUSING FOR QUEER REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE LGBTIQ* often have seen discrimination in their lifes, therefore queer refugees are particularly vulnerable. Many are traumatised and now they experience re-traumatisation on the run. We want to offer them a home where they feel comfortable and can live without fear. Depending on availability, we rent two-, three-, four- or five-room flats and sublet them to people in need as shared flats. Our association does not have any funding yet, so we depend on donations. For example, we have to advance rent and deposits until the State’s job centres step in.

Donate here:
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
Munich Queer Homes e.V.

“I am OUT of Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine”

After a trip through Munich’s community this well-known exhibition will now be displayed in the lesbian-queer centre LeZ from Friday 20 January on. “I am OUT of Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine” describes how queer people from and in Ukraine experience the war. The twelve photo collages can be seen at Müllerstraße 26 until the end of February. They were curated by our partner KyivPride.

In November, we showed them in Munich’s gay-queer centre SUB, and in summer, during the Pride, the LGBTIQ* Youth organisation Diversity put up the portraits in the windows of its café. Queer people from Ukraine describe their lives with the war: Some are fighting, some are helping, others have left the country. Now the exhibition is coming to LeZ.

What to do? Stay, leave?

War is always about decisions: Should I leave the country? Do I stay? How can I support my family, friends and, last but not least, the community to which I belong?

These twelve portraits provide rare answers to such questions. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary, trans* and queer people from Ukraine tell us their stories. We present three of them here. There is, for example:

Boris, gay, 26 years old, LGBTIQ* activist from Kyiv

He could not have left Ukraine anyway because of the general mobilisation. Men between 18 and 60 have to stay in the country. But Boris volunteered right away. He has been part of the armed forces before. He says: “This is the moment of truth when we actually have to be here and protect our country.”

Boris worked as an LGBTIQ* activist before Russia started its full-scale war against Ukraine on 24 February. He had big plans for his job as well as for himself – Boris wanted to travel a lot. That’s not important any more.

“It is hard not to see that our society is getting radicalised now. But that is something to be expected. On the other hand, for the first time in world history, we see that the LGBTIQ* community is broadly represented on the front lines; many queer people are fighting openly.” Boris hopes that after the war, after Ukraine’s victory, this will be a powerful advocacy tool to build a truly inclusive Ukraine.

Luli, trans* woman, 27 years old, animation artist from Lviv

Shortly before the war, Luli and her partner had moved to Lviv. They love this beautiful city in the Western part of Ukraine and planned to buy a house there – to stay. “However, we have long since used the money to buy a car in order to support our army.” In general, Luli donates every hryvnya she has left to the armed forces.

Like many IT people, she now works in the info/cyber sector, but is not allowed to disclose any details. She stayed in Ukraine because she simply did not have the opportunity to leave. 

Luli came out during the war because she couldn’t shake off the feeling she might die any day. She no longer wanted to hide. And she understands that people react positively to it: “Hate speech is actively condemned by society. ” Anything else, she imagines, would not make any sense. To declare LGBTIQ* enemies now would only play into the hands of the enemy.

“We all have a hatred now and that’s right. But after the victory, you have to work with that hatred so that it doesn’t lead to something else. Yes, I see progress, freedom, tolerance and the rainbow, but the wounds in our society will not heal for a long time.”

Angelina, pansexual woman, content manager in Trutnov, Czech Republic, 21 years old

Angelina is from Kyiv, where she was born and spent her whole life. Now she lives in Trutnov, Czech Republic. She says it was quite easy to decide on fleeing. They no longer wanted to be a burden for the relatives with whom they wanted to stay only a short time. The escape was exhausting, but now they have a good life. Angelina is very grateful to the Czech people.

She misses her old life: Angelina worked as a content manager and a photographer; she participated in women’s marches and the Pride. Now she can’t do all that anymore. She helps where she can, but first she has to learn Czech. “It turns out it’s not that difficult.” She wants to start over, study.

After the victory, she sees an independent Ukraine. “New values that Russia does not impose on us. Values that we choose freely. No discrimination because it’s punished by law. Freedom for LGBTIQ* is something I would really like to have.”

Over the past few months, KyivPride has interviewed women* and men* about their lives before and after the war started. The results are sensitive self-portraits of people of all possible gender identities and sexual orientations who bravely face their fate.

When: Friday, 20 January, to Thursday, 23 February 2023
Where: LeZ, Müllerstraße 26, Munich
Contakt: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: KyivPride, LeZ, Munich Kyiv Queer

This is how you can help

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine like Marina who are not organised in the local LGBTIQ*-groups. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

Help for LGBTIQ* organisations

To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

Housing for queer refugees from Ukraine

LGBTIQ* often have seen discrimination in their lifes, therefore queer refugees are particularly vulnerable. Many are traumatised and now they experience re-traumatisation on the run. We want to offer them a home where they feel comfortable and can live without fear. Depending on availability, we rent two-, three-, four- or five-room flats and sublet them to people in need as shared flats. Our association does not have any funding yet, so we depend on donations. For example, we have to advance rent and deposits until the State’s job centres step in.

Donate here:
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
Munich Queer Homes e.V.

Munich Kyiv Cabaret – Drags for LGBTIQ* in Ukraine

In the spirit of the ten year twincityship between Munich and Kyiv, artists from Munich have joined forces with some members of Munich Kyiv Queer to raise funds for queer people in Ukraine affected by the war.

And so, they offer an entertaining cabaret evening on 9th of December. The Munich based Drag Queen Vicky Voyage takes the audience on a spin through the local cabaret scene – but before things get started, the guests are already welcomed to the theatre by the “United Queens of Munich”. You may now attend the show!

When the curtain finally rises, the audience can expect a lot:

• The Russian-German Drag King Perry Stroika presents masculinity with charm and glittery underwear
• Drag Quing Merritt Ocracy from Ukraine is a pop-political art wonder
• “Reality Salesman” Markus Laymann combines magic with intelligent comedy
• Then enters Ruby Tuesday, enfant terrible of German burlesque. It gets hot on stage!
• The Ukrainian Drag Ambassador Samantha Jackson has a great stage presence and an even greater voice
• Last, but not least, Viriena will perform. With her Munich Kyiv Queer sends another musical envoy from Ukraine. Enjoy the evening!

Stagehand: Scary Jary. Admission from 6.30 pm. At the entrance, our team will be waiting at the info desk to answer your questions. We might hand out leaflets and other material.

When: Friday, 9th of December 2022, 8 p.m.; admission: 6.30 p.m.
Where: Drehleiher, Rosenheimer Straße 123
Tickets: HERE
Organized by: Ruby Tuesday, Munich Kyiv Queer

Here is how you can help:

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

Help for LGBTIQ* organisations

To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

Charity Concert for Ukrainian LGBTIQ*

After last year’s very silent Advent, we are now looking forward to celebrating a colourful, yet festive musical event:

On 27th of November, Monaccord, the association of Munich’s seven queer choirs and orchestras, proudly presents its Christmas program in the Church of Saint Lukas, Munich. It is all about contemplative music!

More than 100 singers and musicians set a sign for diversity and acceptance. The seven queer ensembles of Monaccord are: Groove Sistaz Women’s Big Band, Lilamunde_Choir, Melodiva Lesbian Choir, Philhomoniker – Gay Choir Munich, Rainbow Sound Orchestra Munich, Regenbogen Chor München (Rainbow Choir Munich) and the Queerilla Singers.

The admission is free, but donations are very welcome for the benefit of Munich Kyiv Queer’s refugee aid! Please wear a mask to the concert.

When: Sunday, 27th of November 2022, 4.00 p.m., admission: 3.40 p.m.
Where: Saint Lukas, Mariannenplatz, Munich
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: Monaccord

Here is how you can help:

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

Help for LGBTIQ* organisations

To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

For Freedom! The fight of Ukraine’s LGBTIQ* for self-determination in war times

With an exhibition and a documentary, Kyiv’s and Munich’s communities provide insights into the fates of queer people in Ukraine. Lenny Emson from KyivPride will host both events.

City Councillor Dominik Krause is invited to open the two events at the vernissage of the exhibition “I am FROM Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine” on November 3 at 7.30 pm in the gay community centre SUB. On November 4, the lesbian-queer centre LeZ will present the film “KyivPride 2022: For Ukraine! For Victory!”

War is always about decisions: Should I, do I have leave the country? Will I fight? Or do I stay to somehow continue living my life? And then, how am I able to survive?

In Ukraine, queer people cannot trust to be in good hands in their city, families, workplace and, of course, the army. This is because of the homophobic and trans-hostile experiences they have often had in their lives.

Queer people are often isolated

Besides the need for basic help – many people urgently need food, clothing, (HIV) medication, hormones, documents – LGBTIQ* cannot naturally fall back on established support structures like other people. Friends, often the families of choice, have left the country with everybody being on the run.

Whom can I trust? Where may I get help? How will I bear all the fear and suffering?

In the midst of war, Ukraine’s LGBTIQ* community continues to fight for self-determination against the external as well as the internal enemy. And they are doing so with all the (creative) means at their disposal.

Insights about this struggle are provided by two events hosted by KyivPride, SUB, LeZ and Munich Kyiv Queer on 3rd and 4th of November. Lenny Emson, Executive Director of KyivPride, will be our guest in Munich, Kyiv’s twin city. Both the exhibition and the film have been provided by KyivPride.

This mini event series will be opened on Thursday, November 3rd, on the occasion of the vernissage in SUB, Müllerstraße 14, from 7.30 p.m. by Consul Dmytro Shevchenko from the Ukrainian Consulate General in Munich (via video) and City Councillor Dominik Krause, who has accompanied Munich Kyiv Queer to KyivPride for many years on behalf of Munich’s Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter.

The exhibition

The twelve photo collages of “I am FROM Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine” will hang in SUB, Müllerstraße 14, from Thursday, 3 November, 7.30 p.m. for one month. After the greetings by Consul Shevchenko and City Councillor Krause, Conrad Breyer, spokesperson for Munich Kyiv Queer, will conduct an interview on the exhibition with Kyiv Pride leader Lenny Emson.

What’s been the idea behind this exhibition, what was the intention? The focus will be on the people portrayed in “I am FROM Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine”. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary, trans* and queer people from Ukraine tell their stories. Here are the EXAMPLES of trans* woman NIKA from Kharkiv, drag queen AuRA and lesbian drone pilot NASTYA from Kyiv.

When: Thursday, 3 November 2022, 7.30 p.m.
Where: SUB, Müllerstraße 14, Munich
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: KyivPride, SUB, Munich Kyiv Queer

The Film

The day after, on Friday, 4 November, 7 pm, the organisers will show the twelve-minute documentary “KyivPride 2022: For Ukraine! For Victory!“

The film reports on KyivPride, which, this year, took place with the Pride in Warsaw in a united protest because of the war. A sign of solidarity! 120,000 people marched for Ukraine; Ukrainian LGBTIQ* led the march.

In an interview with Alex Belopolsky, freelance journalist, gender and Eastern Europe expert as well as member of Munich Kyiv Queer, Lenny Emson talks about Pride in the middle of war, the fears and concerns of the LGBTIQ* community in Ukraine, but also the hopes for equal rights and acceptance they associate with a possible victory over the aggressor. The war, they say, has already changed the country.

When: Friday, 4 November 2022, 7 p.m.
Where: LeZ, Müllerstraße 26, Munich
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: KyivPride, LeZ, Munich Kyiv Queer

Here is how you can support Ukrainian LGBTIQ*:

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years like Lenny, a co-founder of Munich Kyiv Queer. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

KyivPride

If you want to support KyivPride directly, you can do so here. With your donation you support the activities of KyivPride, which bring diversity into the Ukrainian society. Most importantly, you are currently providing funds to the shelter that KyivPride runs to care for LGBTIQ* in need from all parts of the country.

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

KyivPride 2022: For Ukraine! For victory!

A sign of solidarity! 120,000 people marched for Ukraine at the Pride in Warsaw in June; Ukrainian LGBTIQ* led the columns. In a joint protest WarsawPride shared the streets with KyivPride.

The twelve-minute documentary “KyivPride2022: For Ukraine! For Victory!” reports on this “Kyiv” Pride, which could not take place in Ukraine this year due to the war and found a new home in Poland.

In an interview with Alex Belopolsky, freelance journalist and member of Munich Kyiv Queer, Lenny Emson, director of KyivPride, talks about a Pride in the middle of a war, the fears and concerns of the LGBTIQ* community in Ukraine, but also the hopes for equal rights and acceptance that they associate with a possible victory over the aggressor.

When: Friday, 4 November 2022, 7 p.m.
Where: LeZ, Müllerstraße 26, Munich
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: KyivPride, LeZ, Munich Kyiv Queer

Here is how you can support Ukrainian LGBTIQ*:

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

KyivPride

If you want to support KyivPride directly, you can do so here. With your donation you support the activities of KyivPride, which bring diversity into the Ukrainian society. Most importantly, you are currently providing funds to the shelter that KyivPride runs to care for LGBTIQ* in need from all parts of the country.

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

“I am OUT of Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine”

An exhibition provides insights into the fates of queer people from Ukraine during the war. From November 3, the twelve photo collages will hang in the gay-queer centre SUB, Müllerstraße 14, curated by our partner KyivPride. At the opening, Lenny Emson, Executive Director of the organisation, will introduce the stories of those portrayed.

Since the Pride, portraits of Ukrainian LGBTIQ* people have been displayed in the windows of the diversity Café, Blumenstraße 29. They are clearly visible from the outside, describing lives of queer people in and with the war. Some help, some fight, others had to leave their country. Now the exhibition is coming to SUB.

Munich’s gay community centre has invited Lenny Emson, head of KyivPride, to the opening on Thursday, November 3. KyivPride made the exhibition available for us.

What to do? Stay, leave?

In an interview situation with Conrad Breyer, spokesperson of Munich Kyiv Queer, Lenny will reveal the intention of KyivPride’s exhibition “I am OUT of Ukraine. I am IN Ukraine” and how the twelve portraits were created. But the focus should definitely lie on the people that the portaits show.

As speakers are invited Consul Dmytro Shevchenko from the Ukrainian Consulate General in Munich (video message) and City Councillor Dominik Krause, who has accompanied Munich Kyiv Queer to Munich’s Partner Pride in Kyiv for many years now on behalf of Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter.

War is always about decisions: Should I leave the country? Do I stay? How can I support my family, friends and, last but not least, the community to which I belong?

These twelve portraits provide rare insights to such questions. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, non-binary, trans* and queer people from Ukraine tell us their stories. We present three of them here. There is, for example:

Nika, trans* woman from Kharkiv, 24 years old

Until February 24, her life was quite exciting: Nika is a designer and so she drew animated clips for a big TV station.

Now she uses her skills to explain to people how to behave in case of an air alert. And, of course, she also tells stories that are meant to give hope. “But there are fewer and fewer of those,” she says.

Arthur, drag queen from Kyiv, 33 years old

As AuRa, the gay artist Arthur is performing on stage. Before the war started, he didn’t even think of having his coming out. Recently, someone else did it for him and he was in total panic – coming out in the middle of a war!

But everything went well, everyone stayed calm, friendly, showed openness. “Ukraine’s society is changing incredibly fast at the moment,” says Arthur. “We are rethinking everything and creating a new country.” And finally:

Nastya, lesbian, drone pilot in the Ukrainian army

The 32 year old from Kyiv is very hopeful that the war will bring equal rights and acceptance for LGBTIQ*. She was a fitness instructor before 24 February, but now her job in the army is more important to her. “Right now it’s all about how to accelerate the victory.”

Fortunately, she has a commander with integrity who doesn’t care “who sleeps with whom”, as he says. Her comrades don’t make fun of her. “We have too much work for that.” She thinks that queer people have to be visible, even in the army. “Because it’s a war of freedom – for every single one of us.”

Over the past few months, KyivPride has interviewed women* and men* about their lives before and after the war started. The results are sensitive self-portraits of people of all possible gender identities and sexual orientations who bravely face their fate.

When: Thursday, 3 November 2022, 7.30 pm
Where: SUB, Müllerstraße 14, München
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organised by: KyivPride, SUB, Munich Kyiv Queer

Here is how you can help:

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

KyivPride

If you want to support KyivPride directly, you can do so here. With your donation you support the activities of KyivPride, which bring diversity into the Ukrainian society. Most importantly, you are currently providing funds to the shelter that KyivPride runs to care for LGBTIQ* in need from all parts of the country.

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

Nothing about us without us: Queer Ukrainian Shorts

We have been invited to present the Ukrainian short movies at the Queer Film Festival Munich on October 14th and are so proud of it. We are happy to come, will say a few words about the situation of LGBTIQ* in Ukraine and will collect donations for people in need.

Molodist x QFFM

We are happy that Bohdan Zhuk, an old friend from the renowned Molodist Film Festival in Kyiv, has curated this programme.

Ukrainian queer cinema does not have a long history. In the few Ukrainian films from the Soviet era that were allowed to be made and were not shelved for decades by harsh censorship, at best subtle hints or undertones of queerness (or exuality at all) may be found.

Any manifestation of “otherness” could hardly be imagined in the oppressive imperialist machine, and this otherness included any sign of Ukrainian national identity, which was deemed as harmful nationalism. The same narrative runs through Russia’s current colonialist policy toward Ukraine, which is now fighting an anti-colonial war.

Queer and straight people fight together

That is why parallels can be found between Ukrainian queerness and the broader Ukrainian identity, as both involve fighting for agency and life itself. LGBTIQ* people are joining the ranks of the military, volunteers, and others fighting for Ukraine’s very existence, and their unity is a sign of hope.

Ukrainian film has flourished in recent years, and queer cinema is becoming a notable and inextricable part of it. This program represents new queer Ukrainian voices that have the potential to become a major force in the Ukrainian and international film world.

As most film productions are being halted by the war, the future is uncertain, and they need support for their voices not to be silenced. FIND ALL DETAILS HERE

Here is how you can help:

Individual help

Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.

Help for LGBTIQ* organisations

To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here

Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations

When: Friday, 14th of October, 18.00
Where: City-Atelier-Kino, Sonnenstraße 12, 80331 München
Tickets: Buy here
Contact: info@MunichKyivQueer.org
Organized by: QFFM, Molodist, Munich Kyiv Queer