What To Do, See & Read This Pride Month
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THE FILM FESTIVAL: BFI Flare
The BFI hosted its annual LGBTQ+ film festival in March and all the releases are now available to watch on its BFI Player. Celebrating queer cinema from around the world, there are hundreds of short, feature-length and independent films to watch either starring or made by people from the LGBTQ+ community. Our pick of what to stream? Moneyboys, which tells the story of two Chinese rent boys far from home and hungry for success, struggling with the demands of their families, customers, lovers and friends. It was too risky to be filmed in mainland China, so the film was shot in Taiwan instead.
Visit BFI.org.uk
THE OPENING: Queer Britain
The UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum opened last month, 50 years after the first Pride march took place in London. Co-founded by Joseph Galliano, former editor of UK Gay Times, the project has been years in the making, resulting in a permanent space in King’s Cross. The museum will celebrate and raise awareness for LGBTQ+ communities around the world through exhibitions across four gallery spaces, charity sales and events. Right now, there’s a small exhibition on ‘Queer Britain’, with larger exhibitions expected later in the summer. Visitors can also purchase items from the gift shop with 100% of profits going towards the museum’s future projects.
2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH
Visit QueerBritain.org.uk
THE CULTURAL GUIDE: Sink The Pink's Manifesto For Misfits
For the last 15 years, Sink The Pink (STP) has been the largest LGBTQ+ collective and club night in the UK. This new manifesto celebrates STP’s success and the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community through think pieces, reflective exercises and essays from queer stars and allies including Jade Thirlwall, Spice Girl Mel C, Lily Allen and STP founder Glyn Fussell. It’s a powerful manifesto on the importance of rejecting the status quo to live life your way.
Visit Waterstones.com
THE PLAY: Foxes at Seven Dials Playhouse
Dexter Flanders’ debut play tackles themes of sexuality, masculinity and cultural identities in 21st-century Britain. Daniel is a young Black man from a strict Christian family. His mother is busy keeping the family in check when Daniel gets his girlfriend, Meera, pregnant. Meera is kicked out by her Muslim family, so Daniel offers her a place to stay, resulting in the merging of families and cultures. When Daniel starts to get closer to one of his male friends, his repressed desires come to the surface – and he’s scared what that means within his Caribbean community. The result is a nuanced take on what it means to be a gay Black man today.
1 Tower Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NP; until 11th June
THE TALK: The Hidden Culture History & Science Of Bisexuality at The British Library
Dr Julia Shaw is a psychological scientist, author of Making Evil and co-host of BBC podcast Bad People. On 7th June, Julia will talk about her new book in conversation with journalist Ben Hunte at the British Library. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality explores the world’s largest sexual minority – but the least understood. Using stories from her own experience as a bisexual woman, the book celebrates the resilience and diversity of the bi community. If you can’t make it in person, the talk will be available on the British Library’s on-demand steaming service on 9th June. Tickets cost £13; members go free.
96 Euston Road, Euston, NW1 2DB; 7th June
Visit BL.uk
THE TV SERIES: Heartstopper
This teen drama on Netflix hit screens last month, became an instant hit and has already been confirmed for a second series. When gentle Charlie and rugby-loving Nick meet at secondary school, they quickly discover their unlikely friendship is blossoming into an unexpected romance. Charlie, Nick and their circle of friends must navigate the ever-relatable journey of self-discovery and acceptance, supporting each other as they learn to find their most authentic selves.
Visit Netflix.com
THE ESSENTIAL READ: We Are Everywhere by Matthew Riemer
This is a comprehensive guide to the history of queer liberation, curated by the popular Instagram account @LGBT_History. Combining thoroughly researched stories with curated photographs, the book traces queer activism from its roots in late 19th-century Europe, long before the pivotal Stonewall Riots of 1969, to gender warriors leading the charge today. Featuring more than 300 images from over 70 photographers and 20 archives, it documents family life, marches, protests, celebrations, mourning, Pride and more
Visit Waterstones.com
THE NEW PROJECT: Queercircle
LGBTQ+ charity Queercircle will open its first cultural hub in Greenwich’s new Design District this month. The space will have a gallery, library and ‘project rooms’ to help celebrate queer identity and champion arts and culture from the LGBTQ+ community. First up, visitors can see an exhibition from Michaela Yearwood-Dan, a queer artist who uses oil paints to create huge abstract pieces. Further down the line, expect more exhibitions, plus events and talks from guest speakers.
Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0QE; from 9th June
Visit Queercircle.org
THE ESSAY COLLCETION: Girls Can Kiss Now by Jill Gutowitz
Jill Gutowitz’s book was one of this year’s most anticipated releases. Girls Can Kiss Now is a collection of essays about the mainstreaming of lesbian culture. Gutowitz’s own life has always been on a collision course with pop culture. There's the time the FBI showed up at her door because of something she tweeted about Game of Thrones, and the pivotal day when Orange is the New Black hit the airwaves and broke down the door to Jill's own sexuality. The book is a mixture of stories and observations that celebrates queer culture.
Visit Blackwells.co.uk
THE PRE-ORDER: Girlcrush By Florence Given
Not content with being the author of bestselling manifesto Women Don't Owe You Pretty and host of popular podcast Exactly, Florence Given will release her debut novel in August. Girlcrush tells the story of Eartha, a 20-something woman who’s trying to navigate life as an openly bisexual woman while also becoming a viral sensation on Wonder Land – a social media app where people project their dream selves online. But as her online self and her offline self become further distanced, a trauma from her past returns to destroy her present. Eartha must make a choice – which version of herself should she kill off?
Visit Waterstones.com
THE PODCAST: Outward
This podcast teaches listeners about LGBTQ+ history and shares experiences from those in the community around the world. Hosted by journalists Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci, each episode focuses on a different topic, like the history of transgender people, lesbians in period dramas, and prisons in queer pop culture. It also highlights the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and guests who share their personal experiences. A fascinating and important listen.
Listen here
THE EVENT: Pride Weekender At London LGBTQ+ Centre
London’s LGBTQ+ Centre is throwing a Pride weekender on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June. Celebrating 50 years of Pride in the capital, the venue has teamed up with Gay Liberation Front for two days of performances, workshops, live music, DJs and drag performers. Further details will be released later in the month and there are different ticket options to raise funds for the centre’s ongoing work.
60-62 Hopton Street, Bankside, SE1 9JH; 25th-26th June
Visit Eventbrite.co.uk
THE NEW RELEASE: Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
Nina LaCour’s latest novel has just hit the shelves. When Sara Foster runs away from home aged 16, she leaves behind the girl she once was, capable of trust and intimacy. Years later in Los Angeles, she’s made a life for herself as a sought-after bartender. Across the city, Emilie is an undergrad student who longs for the beauty and community her Creole grandparents created. On a whim, she takes a job arranging flowers at the glamorous restaurant Yerba Buena and embarks on an affair with the married owner. When Sara catches sight of Emilie one morning at the restaurant, their connection is immediate. But the damage both women carry, and the choices they have made, will pull them apart again and again.
Visit Waterstones.com
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