I’m Andy Lorbi ISHINGIRO and I\u2019m a queer gender non-conforming migrant here in Belgium. I have been here for 3 years and now I\u2019m getting back what I think was supposed to be mine. With that, I mean living my life fully and enjoying every aspect of it freely. Everything is OK, I am working and studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are your current or future projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m currently studying social work so I can understand more about how this society is functioning. I am getting out of my comfort zone but l want to use the stigma that I got while growing up so I can have a better approach and comprehension of the life of human beings in this world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think my personality matches this beautiful community and I keep bringing this personal touch to it for the last few years. I keep growing my name by doing what I love the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are your queer influences?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being Miss Bear Belgium 2023. In a world where men are dominant in everything, I came in that competition with all the elegance of my personality, with all the prettiest things I can show, and obviously, I won hahaha. That title gave me some influence on the Brussels bear community and I am bringing a touch of diversity. It also boosted my confidence thanks to this official \u201cname\u201d. I was already being myself every day but now it feels like I have to represent or be visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Brussels queer initiatives are you fond of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have been volunteering in many LGBTQIA+ associations for a few years now. Exaequo<\/a> was my first one and I got a great experience by learning about sexual health or aids prevention. I have been a member of the Rainbowhouse<\/a> for a long time too. I work at Stammbar<\/a> which is a cruising bar and I love my work because the point of the owner is to deconstruct preconceived notions about the queer community and create a more welcoming venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Picture credits: Ga\u00ebtan Chekaiban, Bernard Andr\u00e9<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Andy Lorbi Ishiringo is Miss Bear Belgium 2023. They are involved into several queer associations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":46126,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,30],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-46125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-portrait"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ket.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/by-bernard-andre-photography-769x1024.jpg\")
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What does it mean to you to be a part of the Brussels queer community?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n