The Walking Club of the City Readers - the city through the eyes of the queer historian

In a time when everyone seems to live in their own bubble, Wandelclub der Stadslezers challenges you to walk far beyond your own perspective. Wander through urban landscapes and read the city through the eyes of special fellow citizens. 'The city through the eyes of a queer historian' - Jens Ranson (he/him) Tour Guide Jens Instagram: @tourguidejens Tourguidejens.be Discover the queer historical and LGBTQ+ activist layer of the city that gladly calls itself rebellious anyway. We start at the Sint-Pieter train station: nearby was formerly one of the oldest queer bars in Ghent. The bar has since disappeared, but its legacy lives on in the current Ghent queer nightlife. At the station we also discuss the protest actions of the Ghent action group Queers For Palestine. In the Citadelpark you will learn (almost) everything about cruising, the gang of the Zwarte Dassen, and the Queer Belgian Art exhibition opening in 2027 at the MSK. On Sint-Pietersplein we discuss the fascinating but painful history of sodomy. Further on you will find out who was hooked during the Lesbian Days in De Vooruit in the 80s, and who could finally dance on the stage of the Minard Schouwburg as entirely themselves after half a journey around the world. In Op de Brabantdam we pay tribute to an iconic photo from the wild 70s, to finally end in the coffee and wine bar Den Hoek Af. With a view of the building where the term ‘holebi’ was once coined, we raise a glass in Den Hoek Af to those who have contributed in various ways throughout time to the queer progressive character of our city. Departure point: fountain at the Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein, right in front of the Sint-Pieter train station: https://share.google/l5kYEfSVPIaOyTHtp End point: Den Hoek Af (Vlaanderenstraat 1) https://share.google/jIqjlWOu2ODs1p9O4 The walk is about 3 km long and takes about 3 hours (calm walking pace, regular pauses with explanation). Start time: 2:00 PM. Register via https://stadslezers.club/ or by sending an email to koos@str-aat.be