Traces of Migrations and Transitions in Germany – Queer Bridges

This workshop creates a space to reflect on the traces that migration leaves on trans and queer bodies. Queer migration is not just a shift in geography — it is an act of survival, resistance, and self-construction. Where state support falls short, community care and self-empowerment become essential tools for self-care and resilience.

What emotions arise when we hear the word migration?

In this workshop, we invite participants to find their own language to express what lives within — to transform emotion into creative energy. It offers a space to recognize the marks or wounds we carry, visible or invisible, and to discover tools while building community through shared experience.

We approach art-making as emotional transmutation — a way to alchemize pain, memory, and longing into shared expression. Through creative processes, we can transform what feels heavy or invisible into something that speaks, connects, and empowers. Art becomes not just a mirror, but a vessel for change — within ourselves and within our communities.

The workshop consists of two hands-on sessions where we will come together as a community and engage with writing, drawing, and performative actions to explore our migration journeys and give shape to our stories and emotions. You are welcome to attend either one or both sessions, depending on your availability.

Photo: Jörg Dedering

Berlin-based artist Pascale Espinosa‘s work consists of investigating situations that take place in and outside of public spaces, where the artist explores the histories of their place and the circumstances of possible encounters. In recent years, Espinosa’s work has focused on reflecting on the historical violence in his home country and also the violence of being a non binary person. Through performances and actions in the streets, he realizes memory exercises that make visible the realities that are usually not told and also bring them to other geographical latitudes.

Queer Bridges: Forging connections and providing resources for LGBTQIA+ people with migration experiences.

Queer people with migrant backgrounds in Berlin often face unique challenges in their daily lives that can limit their access to supportive communities and inclusive environments.

With the support of the Deutsche Fernsehlotterie Stiftung, we have developed the Queer Bridges program to overcome these barriers. We provide resources, networking and support in a welcoming environment for queer immigrants and refugees through our special program. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging to the local LGBTQIA+ community, enabling smooth integration and an improved quality of life for queer folks with experiences of migration and/or displacement.

✅ Our Queer Bridges program will continue to evolve and we are always happy to hear about your needs. If you are interested, you can send us an e-mail to stay informed about further updates.

General Information
Participants: This workshop is for all who identify as LGBTQ+ and have experienced migration and/or displacement. If you don’t share these experiences but are interested in joining please reach out to us first to see if space is available. We ask that all participants respect the program’s core focus and contribute to fostering an open respectful space.
Registration: This event has limited spots available. Registration through our website is therefore required.
Language: we’ll speak English and/or German, depending on the needs of the group.
Cost: The event is free of charge.