4 minute read
LONDON’S OPENING
London has always been a vibrant hub full of community spirit with many charities, venues and businesses bringing everyone together with a vast array of events and services. Steven Banks catches up with a few organisations to hear what’s going on
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Cancer is a Drag. As a small registered charity, like all others Cancer is a Drag is struggling during this pandemic to continue to support people and their families living with cancer. It has been unable to hold any live fundraising events and has therefore gone online. The charity’s founder, Alan Bugg, has been hosting Isolation Bingo as their alter ego Avaline A’Love and the kindness of friends and supporters has allowed them to raise over £2,000 by these events taking place since May last year. They have also been booked for a few lockdown birthday events on Zoom, however, this is about 10% of what they would normally raise. It’s been a tough time but they are very pleased to have been able to support three families in the last six months. Collaborations are in place with Lenard Pink and his Walking Tours of London, and Charlie Hides will be presenting one of their iconic isolation bingos in the charity’s honour. Luckily the charity’s supporters are utilising Facebook to do as much fundraising as they can. Coming soon there are plans in place for Walk a Mile in their Shoes, a drag walk that people can do with friends to raise funds for the cause.
Visit www.cancerisadrag.org for more info.
) LGBTQ+ Disabled Queer and Hear. The past year has been very challenging for the charity, it has been streaming online shows every month and, throughout this difficult time, regular contact has been made with the LGBTQ+ disabled community and currently there is an ongoing Zoom coffee morning to try to keep people motivated in April and beyond. More details can be found via its social media. The charity has also launched a new website – www.lgbtqdisabledqueerandhear.co.uk – and plans are in place to produce a monthly paper with regular bulletins of what’s happening. The charity has been working with the LGBTQ+ disabled community roundhouse, liaising with hospitality venues and Pride events and arranging for things to be more accessible and inclusive. More information will be available in early April.
If anyone would like to volunteer to help with any fundraising or events, email the founder of the charity Wayne Allingham: lgbtqdisabledqueerandhear@gmail.com.
) Pride in London. Potential plans are in place for Pride to return after last year’s event was postponed. Despite the event normally taking place in early July, the new date has been confirmed for Saturday, September 11 with safety measures in place. Plans are underway and people can expect to see familiar favourites return such as the parade, main stage in Trafalgar Square and cabaret stage.
For more info, visit: www.prideinlondon.org
Proud Cleaning - LGBTQ+ domestic cleaners. London’s first queer cleaning company is run by and for LGBTQ+ people and allies. First founded in December 2020, after the realisation that there was a gap in the market for LGBTQ+ cleaners, the company offers friendly, warm, trained and efficient staff guaranteed to give you a thorough and affordable service, keeping you company as well as safe during these times, What a fabulous way for our allies and ourselves to support the community leaving you with a lovely clean house. Certainly a way to make us all feel proud at the moment.
For more info, visit: https://proud.cleaning/
National Student Pride Online, April 19 - 25. The last year has been a gruelling time for us all, particularly students. After last year’s sell-out festival weekend with headliners The Pussycat Dolls, this year sees, for the first time, a full seven days of events. Tickets are free.
For all events and to book, visit: www.studentpride.co.uk.
International Conference on LGBTQ+ Tourism and Events. Everyone loves to escape to the sun and boy do we need it right now, so this is an ideal event to find out specialist information on LGBTQ+ tourism with plenty of researchers and scientists on hand to find a way for practical solutions to have an ideal holiday safely. Everything from weddings, hospitality management, tourism statistics and trends, family travel, travel resources, sporting events, will be included over the two days. The event will be digital and will take place from April 22 - 23.
To find out more or to volunteer, visit https://panel.waset.org/support.
From May we look forward to seeing all venues open their doors, which will include indoor events.
