What we’re about
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?
* 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). 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 - reliably 40 or more for the in-person monthly bar socials pre-pandemic, usually 10-30ish for most other official meets, online socials tend to be smaller.
Others include clubbing nights, or regular cultural events (usually run by others but listed here for us to go to as a group) - e.g. cabaret/comedy/plays. In summer, picnics and walks, and we want to get back to the occasional dinner out too.
Several regular events are shared here from other London bi groups/organisers, e.g. Bi Underground, Bi Coffee, Opening Doors' Bi the Way meets, and (less-regular) the BiCHE dance club night & CaBiRet.
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 you've previously attended our own events, so we both know what to expect.
We also publicise, attend, and run groups / sessions at the largest local/national bi events and Prides like BiCon, Pride in London, London BiFest, 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: https://londonbisexualsmeetup.sumup.link/
Organiser John produces the high quality, well-loved bi & trans pride full-size umbrellas ☂ (limited stock, no bi ones for now); 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 (4+)
See all- Merton Pride (a fair, march, show)Morden Park, Morden
Merton's first ever Pride with a Community Fair followed by a Parade through the borough, alongside the river Wandle, to Abbey Mills at 1pm; and entertainment through to the evening at the Mills.
🟣 Schedule:
10am Community Fair (White Bridge Lawn, Morden Hall Park - behind the Stableyard cafe. Address: The Stable Yard Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Rd, London, SM4 5JD
Pride merch available at various stalls, and local community groups to discover (see below).
11am: Pride Pilates (at the fair)1pm Parade (~ 45 minutes)
~1:45 Merton Abbey Mills show - live music, comedy, drag, dance, musical theatre, and more - featuring local talent, diverse performances, and even a full orchestra at the Merton Abbey Mills bandstand!The performing acts for the afternoon include Lauren Murphy and (Queer as an) Aro, who you may be familiar with from CaBiRet (Aro,Lauren) or this year's Croydon Pride (Lauren).
Other acts:
Anoa-Kanelle, Duniya Dhoom, Bobert da Toast, Kandy House, Nyongbella, James Mazzara, Ooak, Jamezy Newton, Julia Zelg, Rhian Guerrero, Rhys Thorne, Dance in Progress (DIP), and several choirs (one rock choir).Expecting at the fair: Photobooth (by New Wimbledon Theatre), local LGBTQ+ group stalls, Glittermania, Face painting, the CWU union, Merton fostering and more.
We have applied to parade as a group but only recently discovered this pride was happening so may be too late; but I expect individuals to still be able to join. We don't otherwise have a formal presence here but at least one group organiser and some members should be attending, so if you post comments down below or message organisers who RSVP'd you might get to meet up other bi members there. Look for bi flags in the parade too, show your support there if you can (and to everyone)!
🟣 More Info:
Merton Pride page at Merton Plus - LGBTQ Community (all parade/fair/show/afterparty details).There's also an associated Barn Dance on the prior (bank holiday) weekend at Deen City Farm - Sunday August 24th, tickets are £15 / £5 for children under 11 (under 5=free)
- Bi+ Community Fair [by Biscuit]Colours Hoxton, London
Mourning the loss of this year's Bi Pride? This fair was created by Biscuit to provide a replacement opportunity to socialise and for stalls to serve us with goodies, and it's filled with entertainment, talks/panels and workshops/other activities, book signings, zine making, plus a social and a DJ in the evening.
Whether you're bi, pan, fluid, or any other identity under the bi+ umbrella, you're welcome! Under 14s with a parent or legal guardian.
🟣 Speakers/performers/workshop hosts:
Laura Clarke (author, training/workshops on sex & gender specialist)
Hafsa Qureshi (Trans Actual director, activist)
Beth Watson (queer zine maker, materials provided)
Eva Echo (director at Birmingham Pride & Trans in the City; Queer Britain ambassador; activist, writer, speaker)
Saba Ali (speaker, activist)
Dhiren Doshi-Smith (Volunqueer)
Grace Gray (creative, model, hair&makeup artist)
Dee Whitnell (author, sex educator, content creator)Panels: Beyond Labels, and others(?)
🟣 Accessibility:
The entrance is step-free. There are 5 steps down to the main bar space, with a 300kg incline stair lift next to them, and no steps to the (standing-only) live room; alternative stepped entrance via the Green room. There are accessible toilets with step-free access. The venue's statement (pdf file) repeats this plus some more details.
For further enquiries, call them on 020 7613 0709 or email manager@colourshoxton.com.🟣 Food/drink:
Colours serves pizza and sides, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options. The bar will be open throughout the afternoon and evening.🟣 Tickets:
Register at the eventbrite event for it for free; or add a donation to support Biscuit who are organising this; or get your hands on 1 of 20 bi pride packs (10 bi and 10 pan) with a 5'x3' flag and much more for £33.22 if you sign up by August 24th.🟣 More Info:
Biscuit website event page.
Venue website - Ambi Nights (bi nightclub) £Cocktail Akademia, Bromley, London
Ambi Nights is back in Cocktail Akademia, with DJ Kaspa returning, and guest DJs.
Billed as "a safe space for bi/pan/trans+/queer people", I counted at least 70 people later on (was busiest after midnight) at their launch night. The front desk staff/bouncer checks were thorough and did their best to check people understood what the club was and expected behaviour on entrance for anyone who's attitude suggested otherwise. I found it by and large a friendly crowd - there are photos on the tickets page and their instagram.
Cocktail Akademia is the only queer space in Bromley (SE London). Tickets in advance (see below) or on the door. The resident DJ Kaspa (and others on rotation) will keep ithe beat dropping, with music styles listed as House, RnB, Afrobeats, Reggaeton, Dancehall and more.
For an idea of prices: tickets are £10, their website drinks/cocktail menu prices soft drinks mostly at £2.50, cocktails from £12.60 to £16.90 (slightly cheaper for low-alcohol versions), mocktails like a virgin mojito for £8.90, beers £4.50-6.50 and wine by the glass (~£7.50-10.90) or bottle, with most shots at £6.
🟣 Accessibility/Rooms and Spaces:
The nightclub core space is a basement, accessible via stairs (only), for up to 175 people. There is a cocktail bar on the second floor, open from 5pm until 1am or 4am depending how busy it gets - so can be used to relax and unwind. They also have a Lobby where guests can sit down to talk / relax (toilets are in Lobby/1st floor).They reached out to this group to introduce themselves for May's launch event as an independent venue "that looks after our guests needs" and mentioned they would love to build more access but are limited by being a listed building. There are bi people among the main organisers and the headline DJ for the night is lesbian.
The bar has a happy hour 5-8pm before the clubnight (buy-one-get-same-one-free on cocktails, check for details).
There is a smoking area on the first floor as a covered and heated garden, it’s not massive but holds 15/20 guests. People can also use the alleyway next to the front entrance for that if necessary.
🟣 Tickets:
£10, available here on their site (RSVPing via Meetup doesn't count for anything except spotting who else from the group might be there) or on the door.🟣 More Info:
Further details: ambi-nights.com (also see flyer posted as event photo)
Venue website: cocktailakademia.com and event page (email:info@cocktailakademia.com)
![Bi+ Community Fair [by Biscuit] cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/4/0/7/event_529593799.webp "Bi+ Community Fair [by Biscuit]")
