About the group

We all belong to the queer community. Asylum arose from the need to have a space created by queers and for queers. (…) We exist to show young queer people that life can be better. That there are places where they will be accepted as they are – their gender identity and sexual orientation are okay.

The Asylum Library in Lublin is a community center for LGBTQIA+ persons and allies, which operates in the building of Galeria Labirynt in Lublin. The Asylum, open 5 days a week, has an exhibition space and a library with approx. 1000 books. It is run by a 3-person queer collective. In the Asylum, a young, committed community was created, which uses the space for relaxation as well as formal and informal education on marginalized communities, especially queer ones. A large part of this community are people from under the trans and neuroatypical umbrella. Asylum works in accordance with the principles of intersectional feminism, tries to adapt its activities for people with disabilities, its events are translated into Ukrainian, English, and the Polish Sign Language.

About the action

We are guided by radical tenderness and care – we make room for topics that the popular opinion considers uncomfortable.

The main activity of Asylum is the “We Queer Lublin” project. It is a series of queer-feminist art exhibitions, performances, and lectures in which local LGBTQIA+ people share their work, knowledge, and experiences. The Library hosts cyclical Queer Circles, Book Club, and open mic. Thanks to the Power Grant, the Asylum Library will be able to continue creating a safe space and building a local representation of queer, transgender, and non-binary people.

Grant amount: PLN 60,000

Photo: Emilia Oksentowicz