10 resources and communities for queer, trans and non-binary creatives
The endurance, community and value of queer, trans and non-binary people in the creative industry is stronger and more impactful than ever. With that in mind, we’re sharing 10 resources for LGBTQIA+ people, all with an underlying theme of creativity. Whether you’re looking for inspiration in archives and zine fairs, moral support from meet-ups, or simply wanting to learn more about ‘herstory’ beyond Drag Race and Stonewall – we hope there’s something in here for you.
Since 2016, Queercircle have aimed to create opportunities for the public to access and engage with LGBTQIA+ arts and culture. Alongside ‘in conversation’ interviews with artists such as Bones Tan Jones and Adham Faramawy, their website also have a ‘toolbox’ of interesting articles and resources, including our very own Opportunities Board! They’ve also recently opened a physical space in North Greenwich.
Established in 2019, Lesley Magazine has been helping queer and trans womxn and non-binary people across the UK stay up to date on must-know topics within the community. The zine is constantly posting events, opportunities and general promotions on their Instagram, including open calls for other zines, and grants to help queer creatives of colour expand their practice.
Lex is an app where queer women, non-binary people and trans men can write newspaper-style personals looking for friends, dates and community. However, it can also be used to connect with other queer creatives around the world. You’ll find everything from photography and art models searches to zine open calls – just write a personal, and chances are there’ll be at least one person who’s also interested in your creative endeavours.
Grrrl Zine Fair
Founder Lu Williams has been running their feminist library and zine club for over half a decade, and has even made their own zine, Grrrl in Print, documenting feminist zine makers from the collection. Having been put on hold since lockdown, they’ve now re-started their tours and clubs, with new dates to be announced soon.
Black and Gay, Back in the Day
Newly-created by journalist Jason Okundaye and activist Marc Thompson, this Instagram page delves into the history of Black queer people, from the 1950s to today. Have a browse while listening to their companion playlists on Spotify, including a re-worked playlist of the soundtrack to television drama, It’s a Sin. Other queer-focused archives on Instagram worth a look at include @takweer_, @lesbian.archives and @glitter_archives.
Pride of Arabia
Pride of Arabia is a social support network and platform centring LGBTQI+, South West Asian and North African people, migrants and POC who are navigating their identities and finding community. While not strictly arts-based, they recently held their own performance event at the Southbank Centre and are about to release their own design manifesto. Be sure to also check out the plethora of resources on their site, including a free library with a section dedicated to design.
We Exist London
We Exist is an organisation that wants to provide more spaces for trans people to take up space throughout London with their work and ideas, as well as discussing issues affecting the community. In the past, they’ve given over 40 trans and non-binary artists studio space in collaboration with the Koppel Project, and are also set to release their own self-titled book about self expression.
The Outside Project
As well as having a 24/7 shelter for homeless and houseless queer people, and a refuge for queer people facing domestic abuse, the Outside Project have run a community centre in Clerkenwell for the past two years. In that time, they have become home to many community groups and creative projects. They also hold their own coffee morning, Cafe Queero, in Bermondsey, for queer people aged 16+ who are facing or have faced homelessness.
Queer Youth Art Collective
Founded by artist Fredde Lanka and art therapist Susy Langsdale, Queer Youth Art Collective is a youth group for LGBTQIA+ 18 to 26 year olds with a common interest in the arts. Having been online-only since the pandemic started, they’re returning to in-person events every Sunday alongside their URL sessions, with their autumn term starting on 5th September.
Liverpool-based organisation Homotopia have held the UK’s longest running LGBTQIA arts and culture festival since their establishment in 2004, with John Waters and Jinkx Monsoon on the bills in previous years. Currently, they’re holding an event that they call ‘Liverpool’s Queer Summer’, with exhibitions and events going on throughout August, and a queer creative meet-up being held every third Thursday of the month.
Please note that this isn’t an exhaustive list of resources for LGBTQIA+ creatives. We recommend looking at Stonewall’s “What’s In My Area?” directory, as well as their list of QTIPOC-focused organisations and organisations for LGBTQIA+ people with disabilities for more support.
Written by Lyla Johnston