Safely Visible: An Investigation into Polish Queer Space


Summer 2022
Warsaw, Poland
Advisor: Sarian Jarosz


With a fellowship from the University of Michigan’s Polish Studies department and a grant from the International Institute, this summer, I traveled to Poland to conduct research that’s been in development for a couple years. The research was guided by Sarian Jarosz of Amnesty International Poland. The project focuses on uplifting queer spaces in Warsaw, Poland in which the owners and employees of the selected spaces truly care about creating a diverse, participatory environment for all to frequent. I hope this report will act as a spark to further investigate the spaces shown, to motivate public space owners, employees, and customers to foster more inclusive environments, and for people to take initiative in creating their own spaces to fill voids they see in their own communities.

Abstract: 

Given that the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA Europe) ranked Poland last in the European Union for LGBTQ+ rights and protections in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the existence of queer spaces in Poland are more important than ever before. The reality, however, is that queer spaces are transient for a multitude of reasons so it’s imperative to document them while they still exist. In this research project, I first conduct a survey to ask Polish LGBTQ+ people how they define a safe queer space. Next, I conduct a full case study of 6 participatory queer community incubator spaces in Warsaw, Poland followed by a mini study of queer spaces in Poznan, Poland and one important outdoor event, the Warsaw Equality Parade. The 6 full cases are compared by using variables that include exterior safety, interior safety, location, programs, public vs. private space, people, decor, circulation, and violence experienced.


Read on Issuu

Read on Academia

Link to the entire PDF

Link to article in Architekura & Biznes Magazine, Poland

Link to publication in AGORA 17, Taubman College peer-reviewed journal 
Above is an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap of Warsaw queer social infrastructure.


Above is a sample spread from the report



Spotlight on one of Warsaw’s newest queer spaces called Inclusive.buzz.