In conjunction with Outings In Art, our Arts & Culture partners, the following events and activities are available for you.
Who's Loving You
4 March 2021 at 7 p.m.
Who's Loving You is a celebration of love, comprising ten original short stories written by women of colour.
It is an extraordinary collection from bold new voices, literary prize-winners and national treasures. Each writer explores the full spectrum of love in all its messy, joyful, agonising and exhilarating forms.
Leigh Bowery and Taboo
17 March 2021
Leigh Bowery was one of the most controversial and avant-garde performers of his generation.
His club Taboo became known for defying sexual conventions, provided the showcase for his influential and wildly provocative outfits and was instrumental in the development of contemporaries such as his friend Boy George.
Sue Tilley provides an intimate glimpse into the life of Leigh Bowery the controversial and avant-garde performer. Reserve your place for this inline event now.
Pride in London 2021
11 September 2021
The organisers of Pride in London are delighted to announce that the event will take place on the weekend of the 11 September 2021.
Now the Government has announced the roadmap, the organisers are working closely with the Mayor's office, Westminster City Council and other key bodies in London to finalise what the plans will look like.
They will be announcing further details of the event in due course, including what format it will take and how to participate or volunteer. Read More
British Academy Free Virtual Events
The British Academy invites anyone with an inquisitive side, and access to Zoom, to get involved with its stellar series of in-conversations and author events.
From a discussion on Britain's emerging political divides, to a look back at the extraordinary career of two-time Booker Prize-winner Margaret Atwood, this varied programme has something for everyone, with events spanning politics, history, literature and law.
Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Histories
Throughout LGBTQ+ History Month, Art UK have been championing stories relating to LGBTQ+ artists, sitters and themes.
Songs for a New World
5 February to 7 March 2021
Songs For A New World transports audiences through time and space to meet a startling array of characters. Every one of them so different, but all representing our world today and our hopes for a new world; a better world.
Playing at London's Vaudeville Theatre for a five week period. Book Now
One Day in Heaven
Listen to a poem by LGBT+ Poet Laureate Trudy Howson and Co-Chair of Westminster LGBT Forum to inspire our minds.
Image: Trudy backstage at Trafalgar during London Pride 2019.
Cavatina Orchestra
This London based ensemble is putting on six concerts in the Borough of Westminster from March to September 2021.
They aim to promote community integration in the area and welcome anyone who may feel lonely or isolated at home.
Listen to a recording of one of the pieces from a concert they performed in September 2020.
National Portrait Gallery
They are still very much here, as open, curious and inviting as always.
Still committed to protecting, nurturing and celebrating the portraits and stories of the men and women who have shaped our nation. Still sharing, still connecting, still learning, still inspiring. Read More
All That Jazz
Featuring over 150 performers and musicians, reunited from across the world to present a truly unique, memorable, and breath-taking performance of All That Jazz from the legendary Kander and Ebb musical, Chicago.
Consenting Adults in Public
5 January to 23 March 2021
Peter Scott-Presland, founder and director of Homo Promos and a Friend of Westminster LGBT Forum, started in 2020 performing Zoom readings in response to the closure of theatres and other venues.
Now that we’re faced with a new lockdown almost as severe as the first, the oldest LGBT+ theatre company in the UK (founded 1988) swings into action again.
Every Tuesday at 8 p.m. from 5 January to 23 March 2021, they will be performing via Zoom, a play which was presented by one of his earlier companies, or by a member of one of them. Everyone is welcome to join. If you would like to join in, please email peter@homopromos.org
History of Gay News
Thursday 25 March 2021 at 6.30 p.m.
At the next member Forum Meeting our guest speaker is Andrew Lumsden who will talk about the history of Gay News and how it began.
Andrew is regarded as one of the pioneering figures in the fight for LGBT rights in the UK who brought about the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality some fifty years ago.
Andrew joined the Gay Liberation Front in London in November 1970 when he was 29 and a journalist at the Times newspaper, not yet owned by Rupert Murdoch.
He came out in print in January 1971 and may be the first national newspaperman in the world to have done so without being forced to due to scandal.
For those who remember the paper, he founded Gay News, though he disappeared into a commune before the first issue.
Those on our Mailing List will receive an invitation to this virtual meeting nearer the date. If you are not already a Friend then Join Now.
Online Free LGBT+ Film Festival
The online festival includes seven new LGBT+ feature films and more than fifty short films from around the world. All completely free. Plus, there's discussions with filmmakers, and a few virtual parties too.
As well as live events every day, all films are available to watch on demand. Explore the whole programme.
National Theatre at Home
Join the growing global community to enjoy new plays every month. Read More
Other Amazing Events
See Outsavvy for a range of amazing events including 'SuperGloryhole: Big Queer Digital Meltdown' and lots more.
Zanele Muholi Exhibition
Extended to 31 May 2021
Muholi describes themself as a visual activist. From the early 2000s, they have documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities.
Zanele Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today, and their work has been exhibited all over the world. With over 260 photographs, this exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date.
For more information and how to book see Tate Modern Exhibition
Write an Open Letter to Queer Britain
Throughout history, the experiences of LGBTQ+ people have been erased, overlooked or marginalised. Queer Britain want future generations to see themselves. History does not live in dusty archives, it is alive in us all in the here and now.
Share your memory, and say how you are feeling. Share your hopes and dreams or even a piece of advice. Every story is important. Queer Britain want to read yours, so get writing! (Postage is free)
See full details of the campaign and how to get involved.
See Me: A Walk-Through London's Gay (Un)Seen (2020)
This film was made by Dr Lee Campbell (Poet/Artist/Researcher and Lecturer) during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in London in July 2020.
It was made using digital transfer versions of c90 tape compilations that he made between 1992 and 1995, juxtaposed with moving image footage of him in 2018 and 2020.
The film includes sections of a walk that he made through London’s Soho in the Summer of 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Westminster LGBT Forum Open Meetings
Until Covid-19 restrictions relax, Forum meetings will be virtual for the time being.
Thursday 25 March 2021 at 6.30 p.m.
Our guest speaker is Andrew Lumsden, one of the pioneering figures in the fight for LGBT rights in the UK, will talk about the history of Gay News and how it began.
Wednesday 21 April 2021 at 6.30 p.m.
Our guest speaker is Lisa Power MBE who is a British sexual health and LGBT rights campaigner.
She was a volunteer for Lesbian & Gay Switchboard and Secretary General of the International Lesbian and Gay Association. She co-founded the Pink Paper and Stonewall, later becoming Policy Director at the Terrence Higgins Trust.
Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 6.30 p.m.
Our guest speaker is Richard Cohen who is a qualified Camden guide. His talk will be about LGBT History in Westminster.
This virtual meeting will take place via Microsoft Teams.
An invitation to these meetings will be sent to all Friends and Supporters on our mailing list nearer the date.
If you know of anyone who would like to join the Forum, please ask them to become a Friend.
It is Free to join, so please spread the word.
