OUR RESEARCH

Presentation (interaction) inspiration

NOW

Doesn't exist anymore :(

Typical "bruine kroeg"

THEN

During our first meeting, the Queer community in Rotterdam quickly emerged as a subject and shared interest of us, through our conversation. We notice that the number of gay clubs/bars (in Rotterdam) are declining. This raised the (obvious) question: Why is this happening?

To answer this question we first dove into the history of the queer community in Rotterdam. These are our findings/what we concluded:

- It was primarily man oriented

- Not many lesbian bars (or other female
oriented locations to go to)

- The younger generation is looking for
new ways to meet/ connect with each other

After that we looked at what Rotterdam has to offer for the queer community nowadays. These are our findings/what we concluded:

- It is more event based
- Dance parties (at clubs)
- Shows

- Activities instead of just a place to go

- Thus less location based

- The bars that are still there aren't very popular among the younger generation anymore or are focused on queer men.

THEN

NOW

We also discussed about what we personally look for within the queer spaces of Rotterdam, and wether or ont we can find this. This is what the three of us personally look for:

MAAIKE

For me I'm still looking for other people I can connect with and do fun activities with. And then specifically other queer women/non binary people.
So the focus for me is not a regular place I can go to everytime but more the people who are there and that I feel welcome into a "group".

HILDE

I am not really a party animal or an outgoing/extravert person. So, the big queer events I often see promoted in and around Rotterdam (and at school) arent really my 'cup of tea'.

I would love to make some new friends within the queer community, but I feel like a dance party just isn't the place for me to do that. I wouldn't feel at ease at such events/places.

I would rather play boardgames, have a tea party or watch a movie or something. Even though there are some places where such events take place, they are often during the weekend.
And, because I don't live in Rotterdam, that is not really optimal for me.

I am looking for a place where I could go any at time of the day, like after school. Somewhere I can hang out with friends or meet new ones (and maybe occasionally can participate in fun activities). A place with a chill and soothing atmosphere, where I can feel at ease, relax with friends and casually meet new people.

RENÉE

-

Dilemma op dinsdag (dilemma on Tuesday)
https://dilemmaopdinsdag.nl/archief/

- Let people choose out of two options for what they need in a space.
This way in a simple way you can see what people want to see.

-

Challenge day: Over de streep https://www.challengeday.org/about/

People nowadays get to meet others like them on the internet so that can maybe be one of the reasons why more and more of these queer spaces are disappearing.