Happy LGBTQ+ history month! At AZ, we’re using this time to reflect on all the incredible things we’ve achieved as a community, digging deeper into our histories, celebrating how far we’ve come and organising to go further.
There’s lots going on this month that you can get involved with. For those who don’t know where to start, we’ve put together an events guide including everything from queer raves to art exhibits, book clubs, film screenings and seminars:
Club nights and socials
Lovetank presents: The Queers Enotfromheres Social Club 11/02
Lovetank’s Queers Ennotfromheres social club includes a meditation workshop, brunch meetup and dirty Duolingo. It’s taking place at the Glass House in East London and It’s not too late to grab tickets.
They’re also hosting a Valentine’s Day monologue reading at the same venue. The theme is Love: Embodied.
LGBT Foundation: My First Queer Palentines Mixer Manchester 13/02
Nite Dykez x Sistermatic: Brixton street party 17/02
The UK’s first lesbian sound system, Sistermatic, return to the scene for the first time in almost 30 years to host a Brixton Village street party in collaboration with Nite Dykez. Entry is free before 8pm and just £5 after.
SliccKitty Club Night 18/02
They Them Us: Chilled Social For Non-Binary & Genderfluid People 24/02
LGBT+ History Month: Poetry and Open Mic at London Met Uni 22/02
A free open mic night celebrating queer expression with short performances from spoken word artists, drag acts, singers, dancers and artists of all kinds.
SliccKitty is a ‘queer, Black and POC event for good time an’ bussin’ whines’. This month’s turnup is at the Yard theatre in Hackney and includes a speed dating event for the romantics out there.
OKHA, The Queer Black Book Club
This month’s meeting of Prim Black’s OKHA book club features a discussion of Robyn Crawford’s memoir, A Song For You, which details her close relationship with Whitney Houston.
Workshops and talks
Women of the Métis Nation Show Your Pride 13/02
Terrence Higgins Trust: A timeline of Gay Rights in the UK 13/02
This free online seminar explores the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK and the impact on the community.
Sexuality Gender Identity and Homelessness in Scotland 21/02
An online roundtable discussion with speakers from LGBT Youth Scotland, The Refugee Project and more.
Reeta Loi on Community, healing and connection: finding a place to belong 22/02
Storyteller and Gaysians CEO Reeta Loi is giving a live lecture at Oxford Brookes university where they’ll share insights on South Asian queer history inspired by their journey and learnings.
LGBT+ Free Online Creative Writing Workshop 24/02
HeadsUp Harrow CPD: Supporting LGBT+ young persons (Mosaic Trust) 24/02
Days out
Inclusive Gathering Birmingham @ The Loft – Racial Justice Sunday 12/02
London with Local: Free Queer History Month Tour (multiple dates)
Learn about 16th Century drag queens, secret gay soirées, queer life in Roman London amongst other things as you stalk the streets of London uncovering gems of the city’s queer past.
Queer Fest Norwich (multiple dates)
Kindred: Virtual Reality Experience at Brixton Library (multiple dates)
Kindred follows the journey of a remarkable LGBTQ+ parent as they navigate Britain’s adoption system. It comes alive this month on Windrush Square allowing audiences to immerse themselves in a story of family and belonging.
The Inspection Q+A at Stratford East Picture House 23/02
A free screening of the Inspection, a semi-autobiographical film by Elegance Bratton about a young queer man’s battle with rejection and prejudice after he’s shunned by his mother (Gabrielle Union) and ends up joining the Marines.