Queershallah is an English speaking LGBTIQ+ social event aiming to center non-Greek experiences, refugees/immigrants/BIPOC's and their allies in Athens. It is a simple idea to come together regularly, drink tea, talk and share our foods.
Where?First meeting was in Amoqa (Athens Museum of Queer Arts), it will continue there but it can also happen in other places.
How?- There will be fresh tea and foods that we miss, please try to bring food or snacks (even if you can't cook).
- We will form a circle and take turns talking.
- The talks can be thematic, there will be a "theme pool". We can determine the topic by drawing from this pool. But also we can just talk about our experiences. There will be a moderation and notes will be taken for publishing here (anonymously).
- We can also play music and dance, if you want to play music (especially arabic-balkan-anatolian) contact!
Who can come?The event is organizing from a non-Eurocentric perspective for who-ever interested! EU's "refugee" definition is very narrow and so many queer people who run away from their countries don't fit into "criteria" and questioning over and over. And fascist/anti-gender movements rising everywhere. We won't ask anybody "why are you here?" or "what are you?". We won't be the border police or gender police! We won't do racial profiling or say "you don't look like an Arab/Turk/Kurd/Persian/Muslim" etc. because we are diverse! From east, west, north, south: If you want to talk, listen, eat; you are welcome!
In the future if there will be demand, some events can be closed events or specifically target some groups or other groups can emerge.
"I don't speak English / good English"We recommend that you come even if you are not proficient in English. There may be people among the participants who can help with other languages. You can also sent us mail before coming and we can maybe find someone for translation.
Limitations- Queershallah is unable to offer legal guidance.
- For academic studies, interviews, researches, NGO professionals etc. you should sent an e-mail.
Structure & Inspirations- Surprise: Queershallah it is a an exiled queer activists side project with the support of friends and organizations. So right now it is 1 person who sometimes writes plural in the texts jhjhj : ) But inshallah (hopefully) "we" will be soon real!
- I have community building experience from: Lambdaistanbul, Istanbul Pride/Transpride, Feministival. Queershallah carries those experiences. Moderation / event structure fallows a model.
- Inspirations: Lambdaistanbul Tea&Talk meetings + OYA Berlin Ramadan dinner party.
- Queershallah is experimental, imperfect, self organized and operates with human energy without a fund.
- It is open to change, It can evolve on the road.
Political Statement- Refugees welcome, trans-feminist, Free Palestine.
- There will be vegan food.
- The personal is political.
- Leave your ego outside - No patronizing behaviors. Don't weaponize political words. Refuges don't have to know your political debates & history & NGO's etc. Welcome people beyond slogans!
Read the first Event's meeting notes: how Queershallah evolved and happened!Read the manifesto!