Since 2017, activists from some of Cologne’s 22 sister cities have been invited to be part of the exchange programme “Sister Cities Stand Together – LGBTI Rights are Human Rights”. New focus in 2025: inviting LGBTI filmmakers to show their latest film (with English subtitles). Each screening is followed by a hosted Q&A session (in English).

In 07/2025, a lesbian from Beijing/China, showed her documentary about lesbians marrying gay men in China. In 09/2025, a lesbian from Romania showed her documentary (mostly filmed in Cluj-Napoca) on her story fighting for marriage equality at the European Court of Human Rights. For 12/2025, a 3rd screening of a Turkish film about a transgender woman in Istanbul is planned, incl. a Q&A, either via video call or live.

Goals: to inform the public about the situation of LGBTI people in Cologne’s sister cities, to show international solidarity, encourage networking, and empower LGBTI activists. Cooperation Partners: Neue Medien, Filmhaus Köln, City of Cologne

City Profile: Cologne