Queer Café came to life at the beginning of 2022, when a team of four people began preparations to open this safe and inclusive space in Casa Zemstvei. After months of work, the summer marked its launch with a series of three special events: a Soft Opening during Pride, an Open Doors event as part of the Alternative Cultural Days, and a memorable Grand Opening featuring special guest Chraja from Greece, who performed a drag show and a musical set.
After the official opening, the team expanded to six members, and one of the first goals achieved was securing access to the inner courtyard, which was accomplished by the end of the summer. Since then, Queer Café has become a key gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community, opening its doors every weekend for cultural, artistic, and activism-related events.
The space operates in synergy with other initiatives and organizations within Casa Zemstvei, such as the Independent Cultural Sector Coalition, the Oberliht Organization, the Bicycle Workshop, and 3rd Space, thus strengthening a supportive and collaborative environment.
