About us
We are a safe, friendly, social environment for bisexual, biromantic, pansexual/romantic, polysexual, queer, fluid or other non-monosexual people (aka. m-spec, bi+). Bi-curious / questioning people and supportive partners, friends, allies also welcome: but please learn & understand (at least) the basics - don't ask the same biphobic questions we get outside this safer space or make equivalent assumptions of anyone here.
Come make bi+ friends, hang out, chat, have fun; see, learn and take part in some bi / LGBT+ culture, history, and activism; and feel part of a community in a (usually) free-to-attend, casual informal environment.
🟣 What do we do?
* Hosted Events
Most are social informal chatty hangouts on weekday evenings. We've always had monthly pub drinks evening in Soho on the same fourth Thursday (18+ age limit). In summer, picnics and walks, and we want to do dinners again.
Online events replace in-person when necessary (via Zoom/our Discord) without the age limit; the link is set as the location (sometimes in the event description).
Turnout is strong - pre-covid was 40+ in-person for monthly bar socials, now usually 25-ish; and 10-30 for other official meets, our online socials smaller.
* Attend External Events as a Group
Including things like clubbing, comedy, cabaret, plays, talks, and of course Prides.
Several regular events are shared here from other London bi groups/organisers, e.g. Bi Underground, Bi Coffee, Bi+ Brixton, Opening Doors' Bi the Way meets, and (yearly/occasional) CaBiRet, BiFest.
Members can suggest events too (but we'll remove+ban spammers of irrelevant commercial events; ask first) - either you can run them or an organiser may help if they have time/motivation. We prefer hosts to have previously attended our own events, so we've met you and each know what to expect.
We also publicise, attend, and/or run groups or sessions at the largest local/national bi events and Prides like Bi Pride, BiCon, Pride in London, London BiFest, BiCamp, Croydon and other local Prides (10 of them in 2019 including London, Croydon, Para Pride, Black Pride and Trans Pride).
We now have a Discord server under the group's name for text chat/updates between events (the Discord invite link is in your introduction email when you join, sometimes in event descriptions, or ask the organisers).
* Merch!
We support bi creators through our/their merch in our online shop.
🟣 Join in / Support Us!
Join and RSVP to try us out!
Besides our meetups, we invite you to follow and engage with our social network accounts for other discussions and what the organiser gets up to outside the group, plus wider community things (if you partake)!
See links page (bottom of): https://campsite.bio/londonbi
* Shop
Consider buying bi+/trans/pride/intersecting-identity supporting products (merch) or donating at our shop (still somewhat of a work in progress after a change in provider).
Organiser John produces the high quality, well-loved bi & trans pride full-size umbrellas ☂ (limited stock, currently awaiting enough pre-order interest for a production run); via shop (above).
* Donations
Organiser John covers Meetup/other service fees out-of-pocket (can afford to); but appreciates help for extra costs (e.g. pride stalls often need insurance, travel/material/equipment/volunteer costs) – donate via cash/card at our pub socials/some other events, via ko-fi online; or even PayPal directly, by request.
🟣 Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility
People of all abilities, religions, sexualities, ethnicities and genders welcome as long as you respect other members, their identities, and appearance. Some regular events require ability to use stairs and will have background music/noise.
🟣 Rules
• Keep your main profile picture for this group 'family-friendly' or you will be removed or (for repeated/unfixed offences) banned; we are not a swingers or nudists group. You get one warning ever (by private message), ~ 1 week to fix it (and offers of help if needed).
• Don't be a dick! ie. Respect others, especially their privacy, at all times. e.g. get permission for photos, & what you'll do with them; don't "out" anyone without permission; try to assume good intent – you don't know what (else) is going on in people's lives. Disabilities & mental health struggles are not always visible/obvious.
• Abuse at events or via Meetup messages/actions will not be tolerated (organisers may need to be notified, they cannot see your private messages). Infractions will lead to the perpetrator's removal from the event+group, possibly a ban; reports presumed honest until evidence otherwise. Trivial first instances (level decided by target of abuse or representative if available) may be warned instead. Meetup also has ways to block/report users in messages or via profiles.
🟣 Final Notes & Conventions
80% of getting anything out of being a member is about showing up and taking part, so turn up to a few events (or offer to run one - anything social, the main organiser John/others may offer help). You're sure to have fun! No need to be nervous about anything sexual, as its a regular social group; report and block anyone who is behaving inappropriately.
* Commercial event to advertise? - talk to the organiser first. Spam not tolerated - we block & remove it a.s.a.p.
* Show/researcher/casting agent wanting people? We have a Discord channel for that, or discuss with the organiser / post to our FB page.
* Member stars! Some members have 1-2 star(s) '★' under their name (in their title), they celebrate our best contributing and reliable members (who've run great events/are an activist here or externally); or a black mark '∎' hints of a failure to respect the group - e.g. not turning up for a limited-space ticketed event without letting us know or apologies, and shouldn't be relied on as much. Black marked members will not have guaranteed space at any limited-ticket event until they redeem themselves (getting the mark removed) by showing up enough, and would not be trusted to run events.
Upcoming events
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Merton Pride (a fair, march, show)
Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Rd, Morden SW19 2SZ, UK, Morden, GBMerton's Pride is back for a second year, with a Community Fair followed by a Parade through the borough and beautiful river walk alongside the Wandle, to Abbey Mills at 2pm; and entertainment through to the evening at the Mills. We are marching (join in!) and Biscuit has a stall there (can you help them?).
There's a timeline with photos from last year at their website, we're marching from just after 2pm so if you want to join the afternoon need to be ready there at 1:30pm.
🟣 Schedule:
10am at the White Bridge Lawn, Morden Hall Park —behind the Stableyard cafe. [ Address: The Stable Yard Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Rd, London, SM4 5JD ]Collect a wristband to march by registering at the MertonPlus stall.
Check out the Community Fair with stalls by community groups, companies, and non-profits/charities (including our friends Biscuit), some with Pride merch for sale; until the parade has left (when much of it moves to the Abbey Mills).
~1:30pm Find us with our flagpole or banner and/or huge bi + pan flags if we have enough people (6 per big flag), beyond the White Bridge (opposite side to the Stableyard Cafe) forming up to parade.
Look for bi or pan pride umbrella/flags and multiple bi themed outfits together. Map photo(s) posted here may also help.
2pm Parade sets off to Merton Abbey Mills (we're ideally with or in bi+ pride colours or flags; Biscuit or us have flags, arrange any personal ones earlier on; we'll be making noise too).
This year the parade is segmenting into groups that launch with gaps between, we should be earlier in it (2:10 estimated).To watch, they recommend from the Pride Pilates lawn area for the start of it; Deen City Farm carpark or along the river on the banks (wear suitable footwear, beware the water).
~ 45 minutes of walking and pausing, a little roadside then river path.
They encourage music and performance during the parade! Organiser John bringing his megaphone, got a bi playlist/chants in mind?
~3pm Merton Abbey Mills. The march arrives, crossing the Waterwheel Bridge by the William Morris Pub, with a pause for a Bandstand shout-out!
Followed by entertainment on stage - live music, comedy, drag, dance, musical theatre, and more - featuring local talent, diverse performances, even a full orchestra at the bandstand!If stuck finding others from the group, try asking at the Biscuit stall in either space before/after the parade. Look for bi flags/umbrellas/banners in the parade, show your support there if you can (and to everyone)!
NOTE: Photos and videos taken during the march may be used in Merton Pride and Merton Plus social media, marketing, and future communications.
🟣Travel/Accessibility:
Morden Hall Park via A24, Trams or Busses, many busses go via Morden underground or a ~500 yard walk
Parking and bus/tram stops are nearby, check the parking charges (blue badgeholders/NT members free).Both pre/post-parade venues and the parade route have level access; parade forming-up is via the wooden slatted bridge that "most" wheelchairs can manage (National Trust can also loan a few). There are "accessible toilets" and access assistants (green hi-vis vests) to support
Merton Centre for Independent Living have a stall.
Pride website has an accessibility page with many further details.🟣 More Info:
Merton Pride page at Merton Plus - LGBTQ Community (all parade/fair/show/afterparty details).7 attendeesBi Coffee [other group]
Caffè Nero, 1a Central Saint Giles Piazza, Saint Giles High Street, London, GBHot Bi Beverages! The Bi Coffee group (a separate group) meets at 3–6.30pm on the first Saturday of every month. The old Leon venue is permanently closed, so the group now meets in a Caffè Nero near Tottenham Court Road/Shaftesbury Avenue.
The venue: Caffè Nero, the Central Saint Giles one; at the bottom (south end) of Earnshaw Street, at the corner with Shaftesbury Avenue (a big junction); round the corner from Tottenham Court Road Station.
Address: 1a St. Giles High St, London WC2H 8AGVicki is running Bi Coffee each month, come and go as you please. Find us by looking for our little purple unicorn and sign.
Respect each other. Newcomers and quiet people are most welcome. There are regulars from outside our group (but in the general London bi community) so even if there's no-one else listed from here you'll be in a friendly and safe group.But do please note this is a separate group from our meetup group and for most reliable updates check out the facebook page. Its run enthusiastically by upstanding bi community member(s) and heartily recommended if more relaxed and quiet hanging out in a café is more your thing.
🟣 Accessibility:
The cafe is ground floor and claims disabled toilet and access, baby changing facilities, wifi, and air conditioning (only one toilet though, which can occasionally mean a longer queue for that than for service).The cafe is opposite Tottenham Court Road bus stop S (busses 14, 176). It is on the junction so taxis will need to stop outside it.
From Tottenham Court Road station head south on Charing Cross Road, take the left on Denmark Street, and then keep straight. It's under the large bright yellow Lego building.
🟣 More Info:
Facebook group: facebook.com/bicoffeelondon/
Old Bi Coffee website (ignore the outdated location,map): bi.tocotox.org/bicoffeelondon/
Venue: website / tel:02072407412.10 attendees
Show: Comedy in Ruins (18+) £/concession
40ft Brewery Blackhorse, 10 Lockwood Way, London, E17 5RB, London, GBEmily Bampton hosts four hand-picked comedians for this comedy show series "Comedy in Ruins" running monthly til end of the year, plus gossip & advice in her signature crowdwork section ‘Emily Ruins Your Life’. It's a PoC and queer-led night, with the "line-ups you actually want to see".
We've been offered a special discount just for this September show in Walthamstow (TfL zone 3) by Emily: a group of 4 tickets together at £7 each, plus 10% off drinks, using a code you'll see in the comments below or when you RSVP in the reminder popup "question". Ticket-purchase link below. If you don't have 3 others to go with, but will wait longer for tickets in order to use the offer (and risk them running out if its more busy), and are patient/trusting enough, comment that you'd like to share and I may be able to help manage that for you with others wanting the same depending how patient, trusting, & quick to respond you all are, but obviously I can't ensure there will be exact multiples of 4 people who want this.
Doors open 7pm
Show starts 7.30pm
Show ends 10pm
Includes 2 Breaks.Age restriction: 18+
#### Terms & Conditions
- Lineup is always subject to change.
- Refunds can only be obtained if the event is cancelled or rescheduled.
- Seats are first come, first served so if you are a larger group, please arrive early to guarantee sitting together.
- Comedians words & thoughts are their own.
- Latecomers may be refused entry.
- This is a safe space for queer and trans people, you must be respectful of all staff, acts and other audience members.
âš« Accessibility:
The venue responded to my questions that entering via the beer garden allows for a step-free route. The comedy is in the main inside area through the shutter.There is an accessible toilet at the back of the venue and (reportedly) wide enough routes there and to the bar.
âš« Tickets
RSVPing here isn't enough! Ticket prices are based on your income; £14.50 for supporters, down to £4.50 low-income or free for the unwaged (can still donate on top of the price).
Get your ticket at the OutSavvy event: outsavvy.com/event/36352/comedy-in-ruinsâš« More Info:
Venue: https://40ftbrewery.com/pages/blackhorse-road3 attendees
Past events
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