To start off Sunday's session, Phil Douglas, executive producer of Curious Arts, came in to discuss with us all about queer culture. Curious Arts is a non-profit organisation based in Newcastle that champions local artists and audiences who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Their projects and events celebrate and represent the wider LGBTQ+ community and the queer identities that often go unseen. Douglas explained how the charity was founded with the idea of inspiring curiosity surrounding queer culture – hence the origins of the organisation’s name. They recognised the harmful stigmas and one-dimensional views attached to the queer community and to pride events in particular. Curious Arts aims to be a part of the action and are determined on contributing to the change that they want to see within the community. Recalling the popular saying, Douglas reiterated to us that “you can’t be what you can’t see.” Through their projects, Curious Arts brings visibility to all sectors of queer culture, committed to creating opportunities that embrace art in the North East. They have plenty of upcoming events, such as an evening of live music and entertainment at The Magic Hat Café on the 30th of March! It is certainly worth checking out Curious Arts on Instagram: @curious_arts.
Next up was an artsy workshop led by queer content creator, Ella Willis. Whilst we were all therapeutically drawing and scrapbooking, Willis discussed with us the connection between neurodiversity and queer identity. Willis is also the founder of the Canny Queer Collective (Instagram: @cannyqueercollective) which is a Newcastle-based collective that hosts casual events and meet-ups for queer folks. From picnics to poetry nights, it is an inclusive, safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to make connections with one another. If you are in search of a friendly queer community in Newcastle, look no further!
Following lunch was an interactive workshop/discussion led by Ste Dunn of Northern Pride. We were each given sheets to brainstorm our ideal vision of what pride should be, and what was stopping us from reaching this, as well as what could help us get there. These were taken on to provide feedback to inform their event planners - it meant a lot to see our voices genuinely heard and valued in this way. Northern Pride is a charity that provides an array of LGBTQ+ events, including an annual Pride Festival, as a means of celebrating our community as well as providing information to us and our straight allies. Instagram: @northernprideuk.
Lastly, we wound down by painting queer tote bags. It was the perfect end to the weekend, as we chatted amongst ourselves while representing ourselves through brush strokes. I spoke with LGBTQ+ Society President and key organiser Jay Barber about how they thought the weekend had gone. They told me: “Continuing the LGBTQ+ History Month conference has been one of my main achievements as this year’s president of the LGBTQ+ Society. The conference has taken place each year since 2019, even moving to Zoom during the COVID lockdowns, and it feels amazing to have continued the legacy of past committees. This weekend focused on creating a sense of community and bringing together LGBTQ+ students and allies to learn about our history, discuss hopes for our future and hear from some amazing local guest speakers. I’m so proud of our little committee and hope that everyone who joined us had a good time!”. To get involved with the LGBTQ+ society, check out their Instagram: @ncllgbt.
