As has become a tradition, the Eastern European Coalition for LGBT+ Equality took part in Coming Out Fest in Chișinău, Moldova, in early October. This year, we brought together activists from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia to explore the links between art, craft, and activism. Resistance and advocacy do not always have to be loud; sometimes, the quietest acts can have the most powerful impact.
Our first event at Coming Out Fest focused on the challenges LGBT+ artists face when presenting their work to Western audiences, who often insist on their own image of what queer art from Eastern Europe should look like. Participants exchanged ideas on how LGBT+ artists from the region can reach wider international audiences while staying true to themselves.
The conversation continued the next day through a hands-on craftivism workshop led by a queer artist from Tbilisi. As they stitched and sewed pieces inspired by their experiences, identities, and beliefs, participants also shared examples of craftivism from their own countries. The process offered space for reflection, exchange, and connection across the region.
