„Queer Life — Between Persecution & Emancipation”  | Join us to discover queer stories, experiences, and perspectives

In the Career Service’s project “Queer Life — Between Persecution & Emancipation” international students of JGU and the FORTHEM Alliance – with the help of the Haus des Erinnerns Mainz – spent months exploring questions of identity, gender, sexual orientation, and social norms to uncover the hidden stories of queer people in different countries throughout history. What was discovered during the project is now being showcased in an exhibition and a workshop. 

And you can join in!

The PROJECT PRESENTATION will showcase the results of the collaborative research. It will feature historical and contemporary personal accounts from notable queer figures in Mainz, as well as from the rest of Germany, Spain, Eastern Europe, and non-European countries. The presentation will also explore language, symbols, and labels; queer pop culture and art; as well as the power of laws, medicine, and framing.

In the WORKSHOP, we’ll explore untold and forgotten stories of queer individuals and activists, and get to know their lives and struggles. Together we’ll create individual zines about what we discovered.

We invite you to come to the exhibition and/or workshop to learn more about queer realities in Mainz and around the world and to discuss what living a queer life means to you!

• Project Presentation |  22nd of April, 2026 at 5 pm 
• Workshop | 23rd of April, 2026, 2-6 pm 

Since the available spots are limited and to ensure that the discussion takes place on as equal a footing as possible, a registration is needed for both events. 

Both events will be held in the English language.

We are looking forward to your participation!