Just do it! Come on down and join us...

                 We´ll be waiting for ya! 


If you have not yet arrived in Madrid but are on your way, or if you are already here but have not yet decided to visit COGAM, we cordially invite you to participate in our Queer/GLBT Migrant Group, a gathering space where you will meet and  befriend fellow globetrotters, get tips on getting settled in Madrid, and get a headstart on building a sense of belonging.  In COGAM we want to help you feel right at home.

...And if we are already acquainted and you regularly attend our meetings and other activities, welcome once again!

Who we are

We are the migrant group within COGAM, Madrid´s Association of Lesbians, Gays, Transexuals/Transgendered, and Bisexual Persons. We have assembled for the purpose of reaching out and offering support to all Queer/GLBT persons who are not from Madrid. We welcome Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Women who have Sex with Women (WSM), regardless of periodicity or self-identification status as Queer/GLBT.  We also welcome persons who are primarily or exclusively heterosexual but who are sensitive to special issues faced by immigrants and offer a friendly hand to help us overcome barriers and become socially integrated. 

We know that Queer/GLBT migrants and other members of our group often are or feel excluded within their immigrant communities or within Madrid´s Queer/GLBT scene. Hence the construction of this space of gathering and social integration within COGAM, within Chueca, within Madrid, within Spain, and within Europe.

Our co-coordinators are Hal R. and Simón D. Our representative to COGAM´s Board of Directors is Lizethe A.

Where we come from

We come from all over the world.  Our Área represents all sexualities and genders, as well as all age groups, occupations, and professions. Some of us have only been in Madrid a few weeks, while others have been here many, many years.  Some speak Spanish perfectly, while others are still learning.  Some are bilingual and even multilingual, but others are not.  Thus we are the group that  exemplifies multilingual, multiethnic, and multicultural diversity within Queer/GLBT diversity.

Everyone is welcome, and you should not be surprised to find  a handful of Spanish GLBT sisters and brothers who share our vision and sense of purpose.  After all, at some point in our lives, we all have left home, and ventured into the Queer/GLBT world, and in that sense we are all migrants.

The Comunidad de Madrid (Madrid´s regional district) is defined in some official slogan as "The Sum of All".  At COGAM we not only aim to realize such a purpose, we do strive daily to achieve it.  Our goal is to help facilitate the process of immigration and integration into our community and into Madrid´s workforce.  Unity breeds strength and, thus, all for one and one for all.

What we do

We meet regularly to address issues of collective or individual interest, and also to nourish and stregthen friendship and solidarity within our members.

We provide plenty of TLC (tender loving care) to new arrivals and, through COGAM´s Hotline (GayInform-Linea Lesbos-Linea Transex) we provide health care information and social services.   In some cases we also provide, through third-parties, emotional or psychological counseling as well as legal services.

We coordinate an informational workshop on residency and work permits for immigrants through COGAM´s Job Service.

Along with COGAM´s Human Rights Commission, we observe developments in our community and throughout the world which might impact Queer/GLBT migrants positively or negatively, and we intervene to the extent possible to defend or expand our rights.

We participate in activities of other NGOs, and coordinate joint actions before the municipal, regional, national and European governments.

We join COGAM´s Education Commission in their efforts to send speakers to Madrid area high schools to address trans- and homophobia and to support Queer/GLBT migrant youth.

With COGAM´s Culture Commission, we regularly co-sponsor a wide range of activities with a theme of social integration, including lectures, photography competitions, and performing arts.

We are developing an Educational Advising Service to give our members orientation and counseling on how to attend university or enroll in a technical college. The goal is to broaden career opportunities and open doors to more fulfilling lives.

We are also currently preparing a Queer/GLBT Immigrant Guide, which will be published in several languages before year´s end (December, 2008).

We are also coordinating Madrid´s first Conference on Immigration, Sexuality and Gender, to be held in late spring, 2009.

We strive to increase our visibility by distributing throughout Madrid informational and educational materials related to Queer/GLBT migrations.  

We coordinate Mit Senf (with mustard): a gourmet club for Taste of the World Madrid, in which once a month we journey on to one of those spectacular ethnic restaurants we now have in Madrid.

We also assist our members in various activities designed to share some of their own culture with all Madrileños and Madrileñas.

When we do it

We schedule regular meetings every second Saturday of every month at 8:00 p.m. in COGAM´s conference room. We also schedule special planning meetings as specific needs arise.  Between meetings, you  may take part in our forum (http://www.cogam.es/foro?g=forum&c=26)

What about you?

Come on down and join us!  You have a lot to contribute and we are counting on you to make all these projects and activities possible, and many more.  

Attend our next meeting or program. There is no need to register and there are no formalities.  We always have room and you are always welcome.  That way we will get to know you and you will get to know us. 

Visit our webpage frequently, as we try to update it weekly with notices, news, and programming. Take a look at our links list and check out our hilarious doc "Sexilio."

Send us along any info or news about organizations, programs, or developments related to Queer/GLBT migrations that you think might be of interest to our members.  Or just send us a note telling us how you are doing.  In our group, we are all friends.

Join COGAM as a volunteer and/or member. Or you may also just make a contribution within your means.  That enables us to continue serving you and all others who need it.  Every little bit helps... .

Contact info

(1) Visit us at COGAM, calle de la Puebla No. 9, (intersection with Calle Ballesta). Closest metro stops are: Chueca (L5), Gran Via (L1, L5), and Callao (L3, L5);

(2) Call us by telephone or leave a message at +34 91 522 45 17;

(3) Email us at inmigracion@cogam.es (please note that the address is spelled in Spanish); or

(4) Write to us by post at Área de Inmigracion LGTB, COGAM, c/ de la Puebla 9, 28004 Madrid, Spain.

As you can see, getting in touch is a breeze.  You'll have no excuse not do so.  We'll be waiting for ya!

Warm regards from all of us at COGAM's Queer/GLBT Migrant Group.

 

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