When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition is open on November 6, 2026, from 9 to 14 o'clock.

Where does the exhibition take place?

The venue is the State Church Archive, Bethelplatz 2, 33617 Bielefeld.

What content does the exhibition showcase?

Field Paths to Coming-out portrays twelve queer individuals from rural areas. The supplementary exhibition documents the Evangelical Church of Westfalen's engagement with the equality of queer people since the 1980s.

Are there audio contributions to the exhibition?

Yes. The roll-up banners contain QR codes through which audio files with the experiences of the portrayed individuals can be accessed.

Is the exhibition accessible for people with disabilities?

Information on accessibility will follow.

What is the admission price?

Information on the admission price will follow.

Discover Queer Life Paths: Two Exhibitions Show Courage, Identity, and Church Change

Name: Exhibition "Field Paths to Coming-out" with Supplementary Exhibition
Start: 2026-11-06T09:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-06T14:00:00+01:00
Location: Landeskirchliches Archiv

Making queer life paths visible: Two exhibitions in Bielefeld-Gadderbaum

The exhibition Field Paths to Coming-out and the supplementary exhibition Paths to Freedom? Queer people in the Evangelical Church of Westfalen invite on November 6, 2026, for a nuanced examination of societal, personal, and church historical experiences. In the State Church Archive in Bielefeld-Gadderbaum, visitors encounter queer life realities from rural areas as well as the historical struggle for equality.

Twelve personal stories on roll-up banners

At the center of Field Paths to Coming-out are twelve portraits of queer people. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, inter*, asexual, aromantic, and queer individuals share their stories of identity, self-discovery, coming out, and their experiences in rural areas. Images, personal quotes, and integrated QR codes with audio files connect visual information with authentic voices.

Between visibility, uncertainty, and freedom

The exhibition focuses on the unique challenges of queer life outside urban centers. Fewer role models, limited support services, and the fear of social exclusion shape some life paths. At the same time, the contributions tell of courage, self-empowerment, belonging, and the liberating moments when people embrace their identity.

Church history as a supplement

The supplementary exhibition Paths to Freedom? documents the Evangelical Church of Westfalen's engagement with the equality of queer people since the 1980s. The historical perspective expands the art experience with a cultural scientific and socio-political dimension. Archive materials reveal how church positions, debates, and institutional processes have changed.

Aesthetic experience and cultural education

The exhibition does not work with distant abstraction but with portraits, language, memory, and documentary material. The exhibition atmosphere arises through the immediate encounter with individual life stories. Each examination of the works opens questions about identity, home, recognition, and social responsibility. Thus, the presentation becomes a place of cultural education and respectful reflection.

Conclusion: An exhibition that changes perspectives

Visitors can expect a sensitive, education-oriented art experience about queer life realities, rural spaces, and church change processes. The exhibition fosters understanding, strengthens visibility, and encourages individuals to take their own feelings and experiences seriously. Anyone interested in contemporary documentation, cultural diversity, and social participation should definitely visit this exhibition live in Bielefeld-Gadderbaum.