What does community mean to you?

Community is when you find yourself surrounded by people who are like-minded to some extent – or at least in several important aspects. As queer people, that has a lot to do with how we express our sexuality, our gender, the way we present ourselves to the world, the way we embrace our masculinity, our femininity, and everything in between. Community is a place where everybody can be themselves and feel supported and seen. That doesn’t mean we all need to be the same – quite the opposite. I think we need to be different. But we do need to have the minimum: respect for each other, support for each other, and a genuine interest in each other.

How do you find your community?

It’s always a process. There’s no single moment where you discover it and think, okay, that’s done. It’s a combination of finding people in the right places and also building community – because I don’t think you simply find it. You have to put the work in. That means putting yourself out there, stepping outside your comfort zone, making yourself available for other people. In Berlin there are many ways to do that: through existing friends, where one connection can lead to another; through shared activities where you meet like-minded people; through spaces like Village. You can also find community through going out and partying – I think that counts too. But personally, when it comes to the deeper sense of community, I find it easier in spaces that go beyond the party scene. What really helps is having a shared goal, something to create or nurture, a cause to support. When you gather around those kinds of initiatives, connection gains another layer of meaning and purpose.

How do you celebrate yourself and your community?

First of all, just being myself – being comfortable in my skin and showing up the way I really feel, whether or not the people around me are part of the community. As a queer person in a heteronormative society, that often happens through small, everyday acts. But I also genuinely value the queer party scene as a form of celebration. Being in a queer space where everyone is exactly as they want to be – where I can experiment with versions of myself I’ve maybe never explored before, and be there without judgment for others to do the same – that’s an incredible form of celebration. Beyond that, it’s really about getting together with other queer people, supporting each other, doing things that are fun, and making sure that when we’re together we feel good about who we are, unapologetically. Acts of freedom, expression, and care – all of that combined, in everyday moments and in special events, is how I celebrate both myself and my community.

What do you think makes we are village unique?

I love that Village touches on so many different sides of queer life – from artistic expression to physical exploration, sensuality, connection, experimentation. There’s something for everyone, and at any stage of life. Whether you’re content with where you are but want more connection and stimulation, or you’re going through a huge change and need to ground yourself – it offers both. It meets you where you are. What I also love is that the LGBTQIA+ scene in Berlin can be very fragmented, and Village brings together people from genuinely different walks of life – different generations, different gender expressions, different bodies – in a spirit of mutual respect and learning. That’s not a given. We can easily end up in our own bubbles, and sometimes those bubbles get tense or confrontational. A space where so many different people can be together and celebrate each other is something remarkable. I don’t think you find that easily in Berlin, or anywhere really. And the fact that it’s a sober space – without any judgment of spaces that aren’t – means it allows for deeper connection, more lasting relationships, and a foundation that goes beyond a more surface-level celebration of queer life.

Can you share a moment at we are village or Stretch that felt meaningful or stayed with you?

My very first Stretch. The closing heart circle in particular. It had been a mind-blowing three days, and when the closing came I was completely overwhelmed with emotion – I felt like I’d been in a parallel universe. What made it so special was that it wasn’t just a wrap-up and move on. It stayed with me. I grew. And for the first time, I saw so many different people come to the centre of the circle and share their most vulnerable thoughts and stories. It was an experience I will never forget.