Unit Get-Together

PROGRAM

1. A presentation of the book “Queer Stories from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and South Caucasus” created by Unit, which is a collection of stories capturing the realities of queer communities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

2. Reading from the article “A Story of One Migration” from Belarus.

3. Short Films Screening:

Chemo dao (Sister of mine) - 30 min
by Hermine Virabian for Chai Khana
Georgia

This short film attempts to bring together Tbilisi's diverse and sometimes contradictory layers. From suburban bazaars to the underground queer scene, the merging of the pieces gives life to the composition to the composition. “Why do you need those things?” the old lady asks from the back of her tiny-messy shop, “It’s for the theater,” the short answer comes from the drag queen, who is just a simple guy in the daytime bazaar.

Behind the Mask: Contemporary Drag Culture in Kazakhstan - 30 min
by Tolganay Talgat for Unit
Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's drag scene emerged in the late 90s and is now experiencing a new wave of popularity. In Tolganay Talgat's documentary, artists and performers of different ages, ethnicities, and genders share how they find ways to self-expression and activism in drag. Despite facing prejudice, drag culture continues to attract new audiences and support the queer community.

4. Q&A with the film director Tolganay Talgat