Queens Against Borders, aka QAB, are a collective dedicated to drag and queer performance arts, meant to empower immigrants, refugees, BIPOC with regular highlights on the SWANA region, performers of all levels, and also meant to present energising shows while raising funds for diverse queer causes.

Years ago I met the Syrian performance artist, Darvish, who is part of the Queens Against Borders team. I’d noticed their events had their own creative flair and such a lively audience, which truly made them stand out. I was so pleased we had a couple of collabs back then, and it’s always been fun to attend their high-energy shows. Still, I was a bit surprised to see on their Instagram that they were celebrating 10 years. I guess time flies! And not only that, but they also received an achievement award – very well-deserved, so I had a double reason to celebrate and to catch up with Darvish.

Photo by Jascha Müller-Guthof

Last Saturday, Queens Against Borders celebrated the 10-year jubilee – a decade of bringing queer, trans, refugee, and migrant performers together through events, club culture, and community by re-uniting artists and long time supporters for the time of a curated evening of discussions, visual art, music, dance, and elevated snacks at Portal Galerie, Alte Münze. The event hosted by Darvish featured a food & sculpture installation by Hosin Alkatrib and Tartak, a drag performance by Kekik, a live PA by Faravaz, and DJ sets by Hanaby and Rakans, and of course a diverse, warm, and hyper enthusiastic crowd.

Celebrating Achievements

Darvish, what does it feel like to look back at 10 years of QAB?
I look back and see all the faces of the artists we have supported or gave a place to flourish, a space to express themselves. Some of them are now fully actualized performers and creators both in our city of Berlin and around Europe. To know QAB once played a supporting role in those careers is beyond my comprehension at times. Our artists have their own productions opening for world renowned fashion designers, creating legacies all while standing for the visibility of SWANA people. I also recall the emotions that the crowd felt, laughter, or crying, even embraces, during political panel discussions or acts. These emotions will always accompany me, knowing we’re doing something right.

How do you feel after the event?
Knowing that this evening was very busy in Berlin, yet people decided to attend our celebration really touches my heart. I want to thank everyone who donated for our fundraiser to support of GEM (Guardians of Equality Movement supporting Syrian LGBTQ). Over the years, we have raised more than 10K in financial and medical support for our artists and community, and we intend to do so till the very last second of QAB. Some of my favorite moments on Saturday were the speech from Kekik, our drag artist from Turkey, highlighting the atrocities happening right now and reminding everyone that in our home countries our identities are still being under attack, we are still put in prison and not given basic human rights. Another highlight was the Iranian singer Faravaz saying: “Free Iran, Sudan, Congo, Syria, Palestine, and – even the US – from the hypocrisy that our politicians impose on us.”

Faravaz (Photo by Jascha Müller-Guthof)

Over the years, we have raised more than 10K in financial and medical support for our artists and community, and we intend to do so till the very last second of Queens Against Borders.

Strengthening Alliances

How do you feel about the achievement of keeping Queens Against Borders going?
A decade of continued work means our voices still need to be heard; and the commitment and responsibility can be at times fuelled by injustice. As immigrants, we have to work thrice as hard and we usually do not get this kind of recognition. So, to be awarded a prize by the community and scene-makers feels… correct, but who knows? And beyond the prize in terms of achievements, we have hosted performers and DJs from around the globe with focus on the SWANA region. To look back and see their stories birthed into life on stage will always be favorite moments. Some of our artists who started transitioning back in 2016, are fully recognized women with their own lines of businesses.

I think that’s the ultimate achievement, knowing we are all carving the life we deserve, putting the asylum and refugee status and, hopefully, gender discrimination behind us.

How does that connect to your trajectory within Queens Against Borders?
Looking back, I never imagined the incredible achievements that I was able to reach both on stage as well as within the community. That was all made possible because of platforms like QAB and many other collectives showing solidarity. I know the value of someone extending a hand, I try to move with the same logic whenever and however I can, and because QAB was like a home to me, it’ll always be open for others. Justice comes when we strengthen our alliance and stand together instead of against each other. This was QAB’s message when it started building bridges between newcomer refugees and immigrants and Berlin-based European or non-European artists with established careers. So, I think of it as a tandem project at its core!

Feeding Your Soul

Would you say you have also experienced growth within the collective?
I have struggled a lot with this concept of growth and achievement. We’re living in a world right now where everything seems to be a competition. Some individuals put others down because they think differently or don’t act perfectly. So, at times, I struggle with impostor syndrome, at times those noises around me get a bit too loud. The journey will always be filled with ups and downs, and I have to remind myself constantly that my path is different from someone else’s. We are not the same, we have not experienced the same life, and I will never put someone down for living the way they want to. Being surrounded by a safe support system and artists who are fantastic at what they do allows me to trust myself more in curation – and in my private life too.

Photo by Jascha Müller-Guthof

So, after this decade, is Berlin your city?
I’ve always said I gave so much of my life to this city and I obviously took from it as well. I believe it’s a cycle of energy, what effort I’ll put will come back to me in some shape or form… So yeah I do believe for now Berlin is my city. It’s the place of my rebirth, and to answer whether it delivered what it promised is irrelevant to me: I came to this country with a sponge-like mind and zero expectations – perhaps this is one of my success secrets. I will open every door or window that is unlocked and walk through life with confidence that what’s destined will happen. Even if I moved somewhere else, my work is engraved in the city, so there will always be a connection!

How do you see Berlin in the near future?
I can’t say I’m loving the current evolution. Berlin was once a freedom port, so the rise of fascism and police brutality against POC bodies is disappointing. I once thought of our city as a safe haven, but when I got arrested by the police for standing up for my freedom of speech in supporting my people, and that jeopardizes my safety and existence to apply for citizenship. I feel fear and see flashbacks from a previous life I thought I had put behind me. I believe what the future holds for the city shall only be depicted by the people and not authorities. And it’s incredible to look around and see people like me and you, immigrants, people of color, creative minds, and solid community changers take center stage and advocate for better equality and representation.

Yes, we might be fatigued at times, especially of the injustice that’s happening in our spheres, but I want you to look in the mirror and remind yourself how much you’ve accomplished, feed your soul with small moments of joy, cause that’s the way forward.

Stay up to date with Queens Against Borders via their Instagram.