Community Writing & Workshops for LGBTQIA+ Refugees in Amsterdam
Book project: A Letter Full of Love to an Unknown Person
Community Writing & Workshops for LGBTQIA+ Refugees in Amsterdam
A Letter Full of Love to an Unknown Person is a community writing project for LGBTQIA+ refugees living in Amsterdam. It is led and coordinated by Sajad Salmanpour, project manager and founder of Queer Work.
Through five guided workshops, participants are invited to write letters as a way to share their stories, reflect on their experiences, and connect with others in a safe and affirming space.
The project culminates in a collective book of the same name:
A Letter Full of Love to an Unknown Person.
Each workshop forms one chapter of the book and is facilitated by a chapter leader (the workshop facilitator).
All workshops take place in Amsterdam Noord, deliberately chosen as an accessible and welcoming location where community connections can grow.
Conclusion:
Why This Must Happen Now Amsterdam has long been known as a safe harbour for queer people. At a time when anti-asylum rhetoric is rising across Europe, the city is called upon to actively demonstrate that safety, solidarity, and dignity are not just values, but lived commitments.
Final Message:
In a world where queer refugees are too often silenced, this book is an act of love, courage, and visibility.
It is needed now politically, socially, culturally, and emotionally.
How the Book Is Created:
After each workshop, participants’ texts are carefully and respectfully selected for inclusion in the book. Selection is done with attention to diversity, safety, and consent — never based on writing experience or language level.
– The book is non-profit.
– It will be printed on demand.
– There is no commercial exploitation.
– Each participant whose text is includedbecomes a co-author of the book.
– Each co-author receives two free copies of the book.
– Participants choose how they are named: anonymous, nickname, or real name.
– Participation in the book is always optional and based on written consent.
WORKSHOP SERIES (5 sessions)
A LETTER FULL OF LOVE TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON
Writing and Sharing for Queer Refugees in Amsterdam. Each session creates one type of letter. These letters become chapters of the book.
Workshop 1 – First chapter
Title: A Letter From Where I Come From
Date: 27rd January
Facilitator: Rochita Loenen-Ruizon
Topic: Origins, identity, and personal stories
Description:
Participants write a letter about where they come from, not only in terms of geography, but also the inner world that shaped them. This session focuses on safety, trust, and getting to know each other.
Workshop 2 – Second chapter
Title: A Letter to the One Who Kept Me Alive
Date: 22nd February
Facilitator: Lana Jelenjev
Topic: Resilience, survival, and gratitude
Description:
This workshop invites participants to reflect on what helped them survive difficult times. The letter can be addressed to a person, memory, belief, dream, or inner strength.
Workshop 3 – Third chapter
Title: A Letter to My Lover
Date: Date: 14th February 2026
Facilitator: Thomars Shamuyarira & Rochita Loenen-Ruizon
Topic: Love, desire, hope, and the future
Description:
Participants are invited to imagine love beyond fear and loss, and to write to someone they have not yet met. This session focuses on reclaiming hope, intimacy, and possibility.
Workshop 4 – Fourth Chapter
Title: A Letter to Amsterdam
Date: 19th April 2026
Facilitator: Bamber Delver
Topic: Belonging, arrival, and building a new life
Description:
In this session, participants write directly to the city of Amsterdam. What do they want the city to know about them? What do they hope for, and what do they need to feel at home?
workshop 5 – Fifth chapter
Title: A Letter Full of Love to an Unknown Person
Date: 24th May
Facilitator: Samir Hakim
Topic: C24thonnection, solidarity, and shared humanity
Description:
The final workshop brings everything together. Participants write a letter full of love to an unknown person, someone who needs hope, someone who feels alone, or someone who could be themselves.
Sixth – Chapter
Title: A Letter to the Queer Community
Description:
For the final chapter of the book, we invite people who have worked with or supported LGBTQI+ refugees to write a letter.
This can include individuals, organisations, researchers, or community members who have been part of this journey during asylum, integration, or everyday support.
We ask you to reflect on your experience:
What have you seen? What have you learned? What do you hope for this community?
This is not a formal text it is a personal letter.
If you would like to contribute, write your letter and send it to us.
Your voice can be part of this collective closing chapter.