Emma Way highlights some LGBTQ events taking place this February in Wales, as well as some permanent spaces and groups for those who wish to enter into the spirit of LGBTQ History Month in 2024 and those it honours – should you identify as any of the initialised groups in the acronym or none at all.
Events to go to this February to celebrate LGBTQ History Month
Iris On The Move
A curated collection of short films from the 2023 Iris Prize Film Festival, exploring themes of human connection and love. Iris will feature titles Realness With A Twist (winner of the 2023 Youth Jury Award), Ted And Noel (winner of the 2023 Co-op Audience Award), F**ked (winner of the 2023 Best British) and Scaring Women At Night (overall winner of the 2023 Iris Prize).
Taliesin Arts Centre, Cardiff, Mon 12 + Tue 13 Feb; touring until Tue 27 Feb and later in the year
Tickets: prices vary per venue. Info: here
Feral Monster
Just in time for LGBTQ History Month in Wales, National Theatre Wales tells stories of rural queer experiences through Feral Monster, a touring production written by Bethan Marlow and directed by Izzy Rabey. With a cast led by Lily Beau and Geraint Rhys Edwards, the production will be working with local LGBTQ+ groups and will have an accompanying outreach programme for schools and colleges.
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Thurs 15-Sat 24 Feb; touring Wales from Thurs 29 Feb-Fri 22 Mar
Tickets: £5.50-£22. Info: here
Drag Queen Story Hour
The UK’s best-known queer storytelling show will be hosting self-styled ‘storytime drag queen’ and author Aida H Dee to coincide with the launch of the National Waterfront Museum’s Our Stories exhibition in its Red Wall Gallery. The exhibition shares the perspectives of LGBTQIA+ people based here in Wales.
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Sat 17 Feb
Tickets: pay what you can. Info: here
Aberration Presents Double Lives
LGBTQ+ arts and community events curator and series Aberration marks LGBTQ History Month with queer night Double Lives, a multifaceted evening of talks and live performances illuminating the diverse narratives within Wales’ LGBTQ+ community, with writer-performer Tom Marshman also in attendance.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 24 Feb
Tickets: £10. Info: here
Spaces and groups to try out this LGBTQ History Month
Queer Emporium
A pop-up in 2021 that has become a permanent fixture on the corner of Cardiff’s Royal Arcade, The Queer Emporium is well-stocked with queer clothing, accessories, books, plants and more, as well as an integrated cafe space for a drink and bite to eat while you shop. If that wasn’t enough, it triples up as an event space, with a rotating schedule of community nights for all sorts of folks.
2 Royal Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AE, open 11 am-5 pm
Info: here
Lone Worlds, CBC
Lone Worlds is a South Wales-based LGBTQ creative collective that gives artists of all kinds – from painters to performers – spaces to build a community, share work and ideas, as well as celebrate, commiserate and champion each other and queer creativity. Past events include Come Be Queer, Cultivate and Crit Club, and they run regular call-outs for workshops, submissions and mentorship.
Info: here
On Your Face
Similar to Lone Worlds, On Your Face is a social enterprise building a directory of queer artists working in Wales, including musicians, designers, writers, artists, illustrators, photographers, singers and filmmakers. Essentially, if you’re LGBTQ and doing anything creative in the country, On Your Face wants to make some noise about it. They also run events, so keep an eye out for networking opportunities this LGBTQ History Month and beyond.
Info: here
Viva LGBTQ+
Covering Denbighshire, Conwy, Flintshire, Anglesey and Wrexham, Viva LGBTQ+ is a social network that provides support to LGBTQ people aged 11-25 through informal meet-ups and one-to-one sessions. Their weekly roster of activities includes everything from exploring other cultures to mindfulness and arts and crafts workshops.
Info: here
Contact: Tel. 01745 357941 / Email: [email protected]
Gay Outdoor Club
At half a century old, the Gay Outdoor Club is the UK’s most established outdoor activity and social club serving the LGBTQ community, and it’s entirely run by volunteers. Among their 40 or so groups every region in Wales is covered, with monthly walks and other activities – such as climbing – also on offer. Friends and family are welcome to join you, too.
Info: here
Escape Events
Relatively new to the scene, Escape Events caters exclusively to lesbian and bisexual women in Cardiff, because: “There is a distinct lack of social activities for bi and lesbian women and it’s high time that this was rectified!”. Though they have plans to expand, their most consistently occurring event currently is a monthly Supper Club, held at a different restaurant each time to suit as many budgets and tastes as possible.
Their next Supper Club will be at Mowgli’s on Cardiff’s Church St on Fri 23 Feb at 7 pm. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased here.
Info: here
words EMMA WAY
