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The Bocholt Learning Centre

14. August 2026Education and culture

Two events on queer life at the LernWerk in Bocholt

Opening of the exhibition "Feldwege zum Coming-out" // Free admission to all events

In the run-up to the 2nd Bocholt CSD, two events will take place on Sunday 16 August 2026 at the LernWerk on Industriestraße. The programme includes an information and discussion session on HIV, as well as the opening of an audio exhibition on coming-out experiences. Admission is free.

The programme kicks off on Sunday 16 August at 4 pm with the awareness-raising and discussion event "Hans Hilft: Loving Without Fear Tour 2026" in the main hall of the LernWerk Bocholt. The focus will be on providing information and combating stigma surrounding HIV, as well as offering insights into the realities of life within the LGBTQ+ community.

Presenter and drag queen Ripley Meyers will lead a discussion with Hans Berlin, the campaign's initiator. In addition, various specialist organisations will be providing information at stands about prevention and counselling services. No registration is required for this free event.

Following this, at 6.30 pm, the exhibition "Feldwege zum Coming-out" will open on the first floor of the LernWerk. The exhibition features twelve people on roll-up banners, presenting their personal life stories in rural areas, which can be accessed as audio clips via visitors' own smartphones.

The travelling exhibition is a collaborative project between the Landesfachstelle blick and the Democracy Office "Vielfalt lieben" in the district of Paderborn. It will be open free of charge from 16 to 29 August 2026 during the LernWerk's regular opening hours. Accompanying educational materials are available for schools and educational institutions.

Both events are organised by the Bocholt Pride e.V. association and form the prelude to the 2nd Bocholt CSD, which will take place on 22 August 2026 under the motto "Boundless Pride - Never Silent Again". ""With these two events, Bocholt Pride e.V. aims to bring various aspects of queer life to Bocholt and to show that queer life exists here too, in very different forms and with very different stories,"" states the association's press release.