The closing ceremony of the first edition of Queer Activist Academy brought together the participants who graduated from the program in an evening dedicated to gratitude, connection, and celebrating a journey of learning and community growth.
Alongside the graduates were Andreea Cojocari, the Academy Coordinator, and Lorelei Grigoriță, Project Manager of Queer Cafe. Their messages highlighted the purpose of this first edition: creating a safe learning space where activism is understood as responsibility, care, and solidarity — not perfection.
The graduation celebration was met with applause and that familiar emotion you feel when you realize you’ve gone through a process that has changed you. The graduates were congratulated for their perseverance and for their active engagement in discussions, exercises, and initiatives.
Beyond the ceremony itself, the evening also recognized the invisible work behind the journey: time dedicated to learning, vulnerability, difficult questions, and sensitive conversations. For many, Queer Activist Academy was a space where they could say “I don’t know yet” without shame and “I need support” without fear.
“For me, the Academy was the place where I understood that activism begins with learning and continues with community. I left with more courage and the feeling that I’m not alone. The closing ceremony felt like a beginning — not an ending.”
— Queer Activist Academy graduate
The end of this edition marks, in fact, the start of a new phase: graduates remain part of the community, with the opportunity to get involved in initiatives, events, and projects that support inclusion, safety, and the dignity of LGBTQI+ people.
Queer Activist Academy is implemented with the financial support of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). We are grateful for the contribution of the Government of Canada to this project.
