COPENHAGEN This is a snapshot from my upcoming book about lesbian/queer life in Europe. A monologue with Swedish non-binary artist Hedda Bauer. On how they create their own queer bubble with friends, clothes, hair and makeup. ”This fur coat is like armour. It's a big pink fake bear fur. It looks like a teddy, but it's definitely armour against the rest of the world.”

VIENNA If you ever wonder why we need physical bookstores, let me tell you about my visit to Vienna's oldest gay and lesbian bookstore, Löwenherz. Seeing shelves overflowing with books celebrating lesbian and queer lives, stories that had been so often silenced in the "normal" world, brought tears to my eyes. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of these spaces – havens where our stories are finally seen, heard, and embraced.

MUNICH When the original owners decided to retire, the future of Lillemor's seemed uncertain. But in a testament to the enduring spirit of feminist activism, a new collective stepped in. Four women, determined to preserve this vital space, purchased the shop and breathed new life into it as Glitch.