‘Because It Was a Bit Like Going to an Adventure Park’: The Politics of Hospitality in Transnational Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Activist Networks

Abstract

This article explores the overlaps between tourism and forms of political activism. The authors examine the politics of hospitality and solidarity within transnational lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer activist networks formed to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Poland. Based on interviews with participants in the March for Tolerance in Krakow – the city’s annual tolerance and equality march – the authors argue that questions of hospitality were significant in the formation of activist networks related to this event. Conflicts between Polish and foreign activists were often expressed through the language of hospitality. We discuss the labour of producing hospitality and the ethics of recognition of hospitality as a form of solidarity. The failure on parts of activists to inhibit roles recognized as central to the practice of hospitality in an adequate manner led to disenchantment and even disengagement of activists from the event. The discussion of hospitality as a form of solidarity contributes towards existing understandings of both solidarity tourism and queer tourism.