Pride Month: Oskar Hansen, Kafe Kweer in Edinburgh

Dish Cult: How will Kafe Kweer be celebrating Pride Month?

Oskar Hansen: Throughout Pride Month we will be hosting a bunch of events including the return of our Poetry Piknik in collaboration with Lighthouse book shop, our monthly cabaret, marching during the Pride march for its glorious return, special menu items and more!

DC: How important is Pride and what does it mean to you?

OH: Pride is a time of year to celebrate how far we’ve come in terms of LGBTQ+ activism, and to recognise how much work still needs to be done. With every step of progress made, bigots try to take us three steps back, so it’s a time when it’s more important than ever to keep spreading awareness.

DC: How would you describe the LGBTQ+ community in Edinburgh?

OH: The LGBTQ+ community in Edinburgh is incredibly diverse, refreshed every year with its large number of students. There have never been more spaces and events to accommodate the community, and we’re thrilled to be one of them.

DC: How are you immersed in the community from a hospitality perspective?

OH: Our space is open every day to serve food, art, drinks, and groceries to all kinds of people, with a special focus on events and exhibitions by and for local queer people, as well as being a space to build bridges and educate cisgender heterosexuals. We are open to all who wish to learn and grow and see themselves represented.

DC: Have you always wanted to work in the hospitality industry?

OH: It wasn’t the original mission, as we both worked in nightlife and the arts before the pandemic, but there is something extremely rewarding in serving food and drinks, especially when the community we serve is so kind and queer.

DC: How would you describe Kafe Kweer?

OH: We are a space that strives to provide somewhere for all identities and ages without the pressure of alcohol. We serve delicious homely food, sell artwork by local queer creatives, and host a variety of events for people within the community and beyond to connect during these troubled times.

DC: What makes Kafe Kweer different?

OH: Many LGBTQ+ spaces have historically been bars and nightclubs. These serve a necessary and historic space for connection and escape for the community, but it is important to recognise that not everyone wants to mingle in these kinds of spaces, either because they’ve outgrown them, are too old, too young, or just want to exist in a cafe that also prioritises the voices and experiences of their community.

DC: Who are your influences?

OH: We are inspired by anyone and everyone who opened a queer space, whether it be a nightclub or a Pride parade or anything in between.

DC: If you could invite any three celebrities (dead or alive) to Kafe Kweer, who would they be and why?

OH: I would love to invite the journalist Owen Jones to talk about the state of queer culture and why sober spaces are important; Alan Cumming, who has already been once to film his documentary series with Myriam Margolyes; and we’d love to invite the leaders of the Scottish Greens Party, as their work seems to align with our core mission and goals as well.

DC: What does the future hold for Kafe Kweer?

OH: We opened in 2020, when things were still incredibly uncertain with regards to the pandemic and beyond. The fact that we are still open after nearly two years inspires us to keep going, to make bigger and better events for the queer community, and to continue serving our local neighbourhood with delicious food.

As part of Dish Cult’s Pride month celebrations, we are proud to be supporting Stonewall – the largest LGBTQ+ charitable organisation in Europe. Stonewall work in each nation of the UK and stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace people everywhere.

Stonewall’s campaigning work drives positive change in public attitudes and public policy, helping transform the day-to-day experience of all LGBTQ+ people. The work continues until the world we imagine is the world we live in.

If you can imagine a world where there is freedom, equity and limitless potential for every LGBTQ+ person – stand with us. Donate to Stonewall now.

*All donations made will be donated directly to Stonewall