Queer Center Qwien

Qwien is the center for queer culture and history in Vienna. It collects and holds evidence of queer life in the city. Exhibitions are also held regularly.

Qwien sees itself as an archive, library, and research institution – and as an exhibition space. Regular temporary exhibitions showcase the huge inventory of the queer collection and make it accessible to everyone. And this collection is impressive: with more than 10,000 titles in the research library and more than 500 queer magazine titles from over 50 countries (from the 1950s to today), Qwien has the most extensive collection of its kind in Austria and the third largest in Europe. The archive includes personal estates, materials from well-known individuals, as well as documents on the Nazi persecution of homosexuals and recent queer history in Vienna.

Queer city tours

Qwien also offers city tours on topics related to queer and LGBTIQ+ issues. The walks through Vienna’s districts (1st to 9th) bring the city’s queer history to life and make it tangible. Events are also regularly held at Qwien.

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6 pictures

Reception area in the queer center Qwien with a sofa, a table and chairs, and a large neon sign for the Circus party series on the wall — Reception with the sign of the LGBTIQ+ party series “Circus” by drag queen Tamara Mascara – © Gregor Hofbauer

View from outside of Qwien with flags — Exterior view – © Gregor Hofbauer

A look into the archive with signs from Vienna’s queer history — Archive – © Gregor Hofbauer

Library of the queer center Qwien with full bookshelves, tables, chairs, and a librarian placing a book back on the shelf — Library – © Gregor Hofbauer

A view into the archive with shelves, a table, and a cage — Archive – © Gregor Hofbauer

The forum of the queer center Qwien with a counter, a coffee machine, and chairs — Forum – © Gregor Hofbauer

Reception with the sign of the LGBTIQ+ party series “Circus” by drag queen Tamara Mascara – © Gregor Hofbauer

Exterior view – © Gregor Hofbauer

Archive – © Gregor Hofbauer

Library – © Gregor Hofbauer

Archive – © Gregor Hofbauer

Forum – © Gregor Hofbauer

Qwien

Comments

The center for queer history collects objects and publications on the subject of LGBTIQ+ and regularly holds exhibitions. Qwien also has an extensive library dedicated to queer culture and history.

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