Antifascist Committee

The Antifascist Committee is a working group of HOSI Vienna, supported by volunteer staff. We organize events such as educational trips to the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial, participate in the liberation commemorations at Mauthausen to honor homosexual victims of National Socialism, and attend other remembrance ceremonies.

Additionally, since 2016, we have represented our victim group on the International Advisory Board of the Mauthausen Memorial and have also secured a seat on the Mauthausen Committee Austria.

Ruth Maier - "Days are brighter when one loves."

A milestone for the Antifascist Committee was renaming the HOSI Library to the Ruth Maier Library in October 2023. A brochure, edited by Barbara Fröhlich and Petra M. Springer, was published to make Ruth Maier's life—cut short by the Nazis—better known to a wider audience. The publication also features artistic engagements with her story. Printed copies of the brochure are available for free at HOSI Vienna’s center, "Das Gugg." Both the German and English versions are available for download here.

We are the International Committee of HOSI Vienna. We meet once a month on Tuesdays starting at 6 PM. Everyone who is interested in engaging with the international aspects of queer activism is welcome at our meetings.

During our meetings, we discuss current topics that affect our queer siblings abroad, such as the legal situation in Italy, transphobic laws in the USA, or the opening of marriage equality in Greece. When necessary, we also organize actions in Vienna related to these issues (e.g., demonstrations in front of embassies) or write an article in LAMBDA, HOSI Vienna’s association magazine.

Additionally, we strive to promote international networking among activists. Reciprocal visits, online meetings, and joint events with international partners are part of the program. For example, we organize the Rainbow Reception in the lead-up to the Rainbow Ball to bring together international guests and activists. In 2024, for the first time in HOSI Vienna’s history, we organized a queer youth exchange as part of an Erasmus project. Together with partner organizations from Italy, Czechia, and Germany, we carried out the project Queers Ahead!, during which we conducted workshops, engaged in sports, and built networks with 50 young adults.

Another important part of our work is the collaboration with international queer umbrella organizations. HOSI has been a long-time member of:

European Pride Organizers Association (EPOA), the umbrella organization of Pride organizers.

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), the general umbrella organization of all LGBTIQ organizations. Its regional branch, ILGA Europe, is the largest and most important umbrella organization in this area.

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO), the umbrella organization of queer youth organizations and associations.

As part of this work, we attend, for example, the annual meetings of these umbrella organizations, participate in discussions, and respond to inquiries. Besides that, we are proud members of HOSI Vienna and, of course, also take part in Vienna Pride, support the association in daily matters, and have, for instance, organized an election discussion at Café Gugg in the context of the European elections.

Are you a lesbian, bi+, queer woman or non-binary person? Then the LesBiFem evening is the right place for you!

Every Wednesday from 7:00 PM, the LesBiFem group hosts the LesBiFem Evening at the Gugg.

LesBiFem Evening – what is it?

We offer a safer space for lesbian, bi+, queer women and non-binary people. Here, you can connect with others, exchange experiences, or simply wind down your Wednesday evening in a relaxed atmosphere.

At irregular intervals, we organize:

• Table football tournaments
• Karaoke nights
• Workshops
• Readings
• and much more

Every queer woman and every non-binary person – whether lesbian, bi+, asexual, or anywhere else on the rainbow – should be able to live their life confidently and on their own terms! That’s why we also offer (peer-to-peer) counseling and informational talks on Wednesdays about topics such as coming out, lesbian culture in Vienna, or various other support services.

Queer Feminism

Political, queer feminist activities – both during the LesBiFem evening and beyond – are very important to us: We go to demonstrations together, take part in queer street festivals as well as the Rainbow Parade, and fight for the rights and visibility of queer people.

We’re open to suggestions and warmly invite you to get involved and help shape our work and our struggles!

The LesBiFem Group

We currently consist of the following activists from HOSI Vienna:
Anna (she/her), Ina (they/them), Romy (she/her), Babsi (she/her), Patty (she/her), Lisa (she/her), Dane (n/a)

A bit of history about the LesBiFem Group:

Our group was founded in 1981 within HOSI Vienna – back then under the name “Lesbian Group” – and provided queer women with a space for exchange, entertainment, community, and feminist activism.

In 2022, the group was renamed LesBiFem to make it clear that all queer women and people beyond the binary gender spectrum have a place with us – whether queer, lesbian, or bi+. We take a clear stance against trans* hostility, because queer feminism must be trans* inclusive.

Furthermore, with us, no one has to justify their queerness or be afraid of “not being queer enough.”

Around Lesbian Visibility Day (April 26), a queer neighborhood festival is held every year at Helga-Pankratz-Platz, named after the co-founder of the HOSI Vienna Lesbian* Group.

Contact

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to write to us – or even better: just drop by! You’ll recognize the LesBiFem group by our name tags – feel free to come up and talk to us.

We’re also open to suggestions, input, and all kinds of participation and co-organization.

Every Tuesday from 7:00 PM, the Open Evening takes place in a relaxed atmosphere at the HOSI club venue, “Das Gugg.” Whether you’re enjoying coffee, tea, or beer with an occasional cheese toast, this is the perfect spot to wind down your evening. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 

This is an ideal opportunity to connect with the community, meet new people, or simply enjoy a drink with great music. Additionally, on Tuesdays, there are regular game nights, readings, lectures, and much more. You can find more information about these events in our calendar. 

All those who feel connected to the LGBTIQ community and/or HOSI Wien are warmly invited. If you’re hesitant or have any questions about the open evening, feel free to write to us. 

We look forward to seeing you! 

Welcome to the HOSI Queer Sports Collective – our new initiative that combines sports, community, and fun. Our goal is to create a platform that promotes physical and mental health, strengthens friendships, and brings queer people together. We offer low-barrier, free, and inclusive sports activities specifically for our HOSI community.

Why a Queer Sports Collective?

Sports are much more than physical activity – they connect people, boost self-confidence, and foster a sense of community. With the Queer Sports Collective, we aim to achieve just that: a queer, safe, and welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable and can explore their athletic potential, regardless of fitness level or experience.

Our offerings are open to anyone who wants to enjoy movement and connection. We provide free activities (only travel expenses may apply) to ensure that everyone can participate.

What We Offer

Our program is diverse and tailored to the interests of our members. Currently, we offer the following activities:

• Hiking
  Our hikes vary by location and intensity, ranging from shorter tours in the immediate surroundings of Vienna to more challenging routes in the Rax-Schneeberg area.
• Running Groups
  Running through Vienna together – whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner. Meeting points are flexible, often right in front of the Gugg.
• Cycling Tours
  From relaxed rides on the Danube Island to full-day excursions, there’s always something happening with us.

Who Is the Queer Sports Collective For?

Our offerings are for all queer people, both within and outside the HOSI community. Especially for new queer members, our sports program provides an open and safe way to connect, meet other LGBTIQ individuals, and immerse yourself in our diverse community.

Join Us!

Feeling inspired? We – Ina and Michi – look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming activities! Stay updated on dates and meeting points by checking back here, visiting our Instagram profile @queersportscollective, or getting information directly at the Gugg.

Why Queer Yoga?

There are as many reasons as there are colors in the rainbow: to arrive – in the here and now, and with yourself – to embrace your body, practice mindfulness, and boost your immune system. Every yoga session focuses on taking deep breaths, feeling every muscle, and experiencing a sense of connection within the group.

Matías (he/him) and Florian (he/him) guide us through the world of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. Whether you’re experienced or a beginner, they adapt to your level and help you perform the exercises correctly.

This is a space for yoga and also a safer space for the queer community: all LGBTIQs and their friends are warmly welcome! Come in comfortable clothing and bring your yoga mat – though there are some mats available on-site.

When:

Sunday evenings. Note: Schedule changes are possible, so please always check the online calendar beforehand!

We open about 15 minutes early to give you time to change and ensure we can start on time.

Where:

The Gugg – Heumühlgasse 14, 1040 Vienna.

Entry:

HOSI Vienna and our volunteer trainers welcome any donations at the end of the session – all proceeds go entirely to HOSI Vienna.

Are you queer and under 29?

Join Queer Youth Vienna!

The weekly youth evening is the perfect place to connect with queer peers and get to know the community. In addition to the regular youth evening, we offer workshops on a variety of queer topics.

QYVIE is an activist youth group. Together, we create protest signs, attend demonstrations, and stand against all forms of discrimination.

We also offer counseling on coming out and other queer topics. Stop by on Thursdays, message us on Instagram, or send us an email. Feel free to bring someone along, or come solo and enjoy a drink at our bar—though there’s no obligation to purchase anything.

Contact Us

If you have questions or just want to reach out, you can contact us through the following channels:

Email: [email protected] and/or [email protected] 

Instagram: instagram.com/queeryouthvienna/

Phone: +43 660 2166616 (available during opening hours)

When and Where

Every Thursday at the Gugg
Heumühlgasse 14, 1040 Vienna

5:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Youth Evening

Updates and information about upcoming events are posted on our social media channels.

FAQ

How old do I need to be to attend the youth evening?

There’s no minimum age to attend. Anyone under 29 is welcome.

What kinds of workshops and events are offered?

Every few weeks, we host various events or workshops on LGBTIQ* topics. These include our popular Coming-In Workshop, sessions on Queer History, activism, and other current topics. Additionally, we regularly organize evenings featuring activities like the QYVIE quiz, Werewolf game nights, or improv theater.

We are also visited multiple times a year by AIDS Hilfe Wien, who provide free testing and counseling.

I’m new and don’t know anyone. How can I get to know you?

You can drop by any Thursday starting at 5:30 PM. We try to welcome new attendees and connect them with others. Look out for our name tags and feel free to approach us anytime. If you’d prefer, you can also send us an email or a message on Instagram beforehand.

Can someone over 29 (e.g., a parent or guardian) accompany me?

Yes, but only to drop you off or pick you up. The youth evening itself is a space for people under 29. If your accompanying person has questions or concerns, we’re happy to assist.

The Transgender Committee of HOSI Wien is a working group dedicated to supporting trans people both within the organization and in society at large. In addition to internal educational efforts, it also promotes external advocacy for both binary and non-binary trans persons.

The committee networks with organizations in the TIN* community (trans, inter*, non-binary) and is actively involved in organizing and carrying out demonstrations and events. This includes the annual memorial events for the Trans Day of Remembrance. Additionally, the committee regularly publishes a column in the association's magazine, lambda, and addresses questions regarding the topic of transition. Peer-to-peer consultations are available upon request.

The 50+ Prime Timers are a group specifically for people over 50.
Are you looking to connect with others or enjoy a chat in the cozy atmosphere of the Gugg?

Then join the Prime Timers, who meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month starting at 7 PM at the Gugg. Prime Timers of all genders and sexual orientations are warmly invited to participate.

The meeting takes place in the bar area.