forum+ presents a fantastic programme of activities and events celebrating Camden and Islington LGBT History Month. The community is invited to join the festivities and explore local LGBT history through exhibitions, guided walks, film screenings, spoken word, history talks and more!
The theme for LGBT History Month 2023 is Behind The Lens. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the many achievements of the work and lives of the seldom-seen LGBT people behind the stage, cinema and TV cameras as they pay tribute to the costume designers, directors, make-up artists, technicians and screenwriters who have brought our queer stories to life.
Camden and Islington’s rich LGBT history will be highlighted in this unique collection of activities and events which celebrate the culture, lives and experiences of the local LGBT community. From the LGBTQ Film Day at The British Museum to Incite! Spoken Word, from the Lesbian Discussion Group to the Loudest Whispers Exhibition, there is so much to enjoy across Camden and Islington!
Outloud LGBTQ+ Salon: Wednesday 1st February, 7 pm – 8 pm.
Join OutLoud – LGBTQ+ at London Metropolitan Archives – for a look at LGBTQ+ history through the personal archive of Andrew Lumsden. Andrew Lumsden was among the infuriated queens on the original London Pride march in 1972. He invented Gay News, our first national newspaper, which was taken to court on a charge of blasphemy in 1977. Booking at: Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/outloud-lgbtq-salon-tickets-172115852147
Community Creates: LGBT History Month Exhibition
Thursday 2nd February – 31st March 2023 (Monday: 10 am-6 pm; Tuesday: 10 am-6 pm; Wednesday: 12 pm-8 pm).
This fantastic exhibition brings together a range of art forms created by local artists of all genders and sexualities, celebrating what it means to be LGBTQ+ today. The exhibition will be open throughout LGBT History Month and until 31st March 2023. Belsize Community Library, Antrim Grove, Belsize Park, NW3 4XN
Launch of Loudest Whispers Exhibition
Friday 3rd February, 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm
14th Loudest Whispers Arts Exhibition presented by The Arts Project. The launch event will be your first opportunity to explore the exhibition and enjoy a cabaret performance headlined by vintage comedy music performer La Celine, hosted by MC Herr Bolly and keynote speeches from some extraordinary guests. The event is free to join, and booking isn’t necessary.
For information, please email theartsproject1@gmail.com and visit www.theartsprojectlondon.com/whats-on. The Conference Centre, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, NW1 0PE
Desire, love, identity: LGBTQ histories trail
Throughout February, 10 am – 5 pm
This LGBT History Month, choose a trail looking at objects that connect with LGBT history. The trails are free, with a general museum entry. For more information, please visit www.britishmuseum.org/visit/object-trails/desire-love-identity-lgbtq-histories . The British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG
Islington’s Pride Heritage Trail
Journey through Islington’s Pride Heritage Trail and enjoy visiting over 150 points of LGBTQ+ interest found throughout Islington. Including residents (current and former), LGBTQ+ bars and other venues, community organisations and locations of much celebration and infamy! Visit the website and learn the entries, incorporated images and oral histories aligned to the physical plaques. https://islingtonspride.com/humap/
Arsenal in the Community
Arsenal in the Community will deliver LGBT+ History Month workshops and community sessions in Camden, Islington and Hackney schools throughout February. In the workshop, they will share some examples of professional athletes from the LGBTQ+ community, their successes and the challenges that they continue to face. The workshop
will focus on respect and what respect looks like in reality. For more
information, please email: jdaniel-moon@arsenal.co.uk.
Loudest Whispers Art Exhibition
Monday 6th February – Friday 12th May 2023. Monday – Thursday, 9.00 am to 10. 00 pm & Friday – Saturday 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
The Arts Project presents the 14th Loudest Whispers Arts Exhibition in partnership with forum+. Forty-five artists celebrate LGBT creativity with mixed media artwork reflecting the use of the camera in film and TV with an additional open category. The exhibition displays the work of new artists and continues our support of established artists. Loudest Whispers 2023 includes a studio selfie booth and a memorial tribute to creative artists from the industry. http://www.theartsprojectlondon.com . The Conference Centre Gallery, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, NW1 OPE
The Further Queer Adventures of Alexander the Great
Tuesday 7th February, 7 pm – 8.30 pm.
Explore queer identity from ancient times to the present at The British Library. This talk by Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is hosted by Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller of the Bad Gays podcast and book. Ever since the 20th century discovered ‘that horrid thing Freud called sex’ and began to consider sexual preferences as an integral part of sexual identity, Alexander the Great has been scrutinised for what his love life said about the man himself. The event will be simultaneously live-streamed on the British Library platform. Book via: https://www.bl.uk/events/the-further-queer-adventures-of-alexander-the-great-boyfriend-activist-and-porn-star . Entrance Hall, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB
T on a Tuesday
Tuesdays throughout February 2023, 7 pm – 9 pm.
T on a Tuesday is the London Friend trans & non-binary social group. The group is open to all trans, non-binary people and people exploring their gender. Join the group during LGBT History Month either online via Zoom or at London Friend. Please get in touch with tontuesday@londonfriend.org.uk for more information about T on a Tuesday and to sign up for the zoom sessions (no sign-up required for the in-person sessions). London Friend, Caledonian Rd, N1 9DN.
Lesbian Discussion Group
Wednesday 8th February, 8.00 pm.
Join LDG in February for a discussion on Life goals – what drives us? LDG has been going for almost 40 years in its physical form at Gay’s the Word Bookshop to provide community to women from inside and outside of London. The group continues to thrive – due to the friendly and welcoming people that join weekly to discuss love, life, and current affairs. To attend, arrive early on the day. Spaces are limited and given out on a first-come-first-served basis. No registration is necessary. https://www.lesbiandiscussiongroup.com/
Gay’s The Word, 66 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB
Housmans Queer Book Club
Thursday 9th February, 7 pm – 8.30 pm.
On Thursday, 9th February, visit the iconic radical bookshop Housmans and join a discussion on One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston. Housmans Queer Book Club reads a wide range of LGBTQ fiction and non-fiction. The book club meet every 2nd Thursday of the month from 7 pm – 8.30 pm. All genders are welcome, as are any snacks, drinks and book suggestions you can bring along too. You can find future book club titles in Housmans; a 20% discount can be applied to them if you mention the group. For more information, please email shop@housmans.com and visit https://housmans.com/ Housmans Bookshop 5 Caledonian Rd, N1 9DX
Karaoke at Central Station with Chris Reardon
Saturday 11th February, 7.30 pm – 11 pm.
On Saturday, 11th February, sing your heart out at Central’s Karaoke event! Join DJ, entertainer and Queen of Karaoke Chris Reardon for a fun-filled evening on Central Station’s famous stage. Islington’s oldest LGBTQ Bar has been a friend and safe welcoming space to London’s LGBTQ+ community for many years, helping raise thousands for HIV/ AIDS charities and has played host to LGBTQ+ theatre
and numerous community groups from footballers to faith groups, as well as funeral services. https://www.centralstation.co.uk/events
Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, N1 9SD
Cooking With Pride
Tuesday 14th February, 6 pm – 8 pm.
St Luke’s Community Centre present a special session of Cooking With Pride for LGBT History Month 2023! The cookery class is a warm, welcoming and inclusive social group where we join together to learn recipes and enjoy a delicious meal. The event takes place at St Luke’s Community Centre, is free to join and is for LGBTQ people and their friends. Booking is essential.
For more information, email info@forumplus.org.uk Booking at: https://bit.ly/CookingWithPrideLGBTHM . St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, EC1V 8AJ
Black Lesbian Discussion Group
Tuesday 14th February, 7.30 pm.
Inspired by The Lesbian Discussion Group and UK Black Pride, the Black Lesbian Discussion Group was founded in 2022 by Sandra Brown-Springer. The group meet on the second Tuesday of every month at the iconic Gay’s the Word Bookshop. February’s discussion is focussed on: What is dating like for LGBT+ women? Events are free to join. However, donations are needed to keep the group going. You will be invited to donate at the end of the meeting. They don’t have a card reader yet, so please bring any change you have to spare. Gay’s The Word, 66 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB
