LGBT Friendly

A casual drop-in for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ who wants a safe space to chat and meet. Held in The Nest Community Centre every Tuesday with free tea, coffee and biscuits, we talk about any topic but also are eager to find out what our local LGBTQIA+ community wants and needs.

Join the **Gayzelles Running Club** for a fun way to both keep fit and socialise with other LGBTQIA+ people in our local area! We meet at 6.30pm every Tuesday outside The Javan Coker Foundation Centre (47 Abbey Grove, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9EU, 10 minutes walk from Abbey Wood station) The lake loop is about 5-6 KM and don't worry about your pace! We support runners of all speed. The course will pass Lesnes Abbey Woods, around the Southmere Lake and return to the start. Afterwards, there may be a chance for a bit of a social if people feel like doing so. We look forward to seeing you there! 🌈 Follow us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayzelles/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/gayzelles

Come and join us on Tuesday evening, 7-9pm for a chill evening of crafting making bracelets. We meet at London Friend office, 86 Caledonian Road, London N19DN. You don't need to RSVP, so you can just show up. This session is a drop in and a chance to meet likeminded people to socialise with even if you don’t fancy getting crafty. Materials are provided onsite for FREE and no experience is needed! This social activities group is open to all LBT women plus non-binary people who have an identity within a community that centres on women. We are looking forward to seeing you! :)

In the Mood for Love (traditional Chinese: 花樣年華; simplified Chinese: 花样年华; lit. 'Flower-like Years', 'the prime of one's youth') is a 2000 romantic drama film written, directed, and produced by Wong Kar-wai. A co-production between Hong Kong and France, the film follows a man (Tony Leung) and a woman (Maggie Cheung) in 1962 who discover that their spouses are having an affair. As they spend time together, they gradually develop feelings for one another. It is often listed as one of the greatest films of all time and one of the major works of Asian cinema. Please note we will not be showing the film at the meeting. Make sure you watch the film before you attend and then come and join in with the conversation. It’s just a discussion. It’s not a screening. 🙏 We will be meeting in The Ludski Bar in the Rio Cinema. [https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/](https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/) You are welcome to bring outside food in with you but please buy your drinks from inside the cinema. Thank you. ... To join the All Out of Bubblegum Film Club WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2to1MBd4Ct7kQTFFVnyML](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2to1MBd4Ct7kQTFFVnyML) (in order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name and we will join you to the main chat). Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective) You can also find the All Out of Bubblegum Film Club here: [https://www.meetup.com/alloutofbubblegumfilmclub/](https://www.meetup.com/alloutofbubblegumfilmclub/) We hope to see you soon.

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/44226 **Game Description:** Come and play in a casual mixed gender 6 aside football game on a Tuesday evening in Stratford ⚽️ We play on PITCH 2, it’s the middle caged 6 aside pitch. Directions: 🚆6 minute walk from Stratford International DLR station 🚗 Paid car parking available 🚿Changing room and showers available Rules \- Classic 6 aside rules \- No slide tackles \- Change keepers every 6 minutes \- We encourage you to wear Astro turf trainers \- Be positive and encouraging to all players 🫶

Join Hannah, Rob and London Wildish Club for a steady winter ramble through one of London’s largest and most varied green spaces. We’ll **start at Hainault Station** and walk just over a mile to the edge of the forest before diving into the glorious green. Along the way we’ll visit Woodhenge, pop up onto Dog Kennel Hill (a small rise of around 80m), and stop by the Hainault Visitor Centre for toilets and a few nature facts. From there we’ll explore a mix of wide plains and woodier areas, before picking up Cavill’s Walk and looping back to the station together. This is a longer, steady-paced walk of around **7.8 miles / 12.5 km** — perfect for warming up for spring and the longer days ahead. Expect mud and puddles in places, crisp winter air, friendly people, and pauses for seasonal noticing along the way. We’re starting a little earlier than usual to make the most of the daylight. Any questions, just give us a shout. **What to bring** • Sturdy footwear (mud-friendly trainers or walking boots recommended) • Warm layers + waterproof jacket • Water + snacks/lunch • Your best seasonal nature facts • A dog friend, if you have one *** **Route info** • Loop route, starting and finishing at Hainault Station • Distance: 7.8 miles / 12.5 km • Terrain: mostly flat, woodland paths, open plains and one small hill • Likely muddy in places • Toilets available at the Hainault Visitor Centre • We’ll walk rain or shine — come prepared 🌦️ **More Info about Wildish Club** You can learn more and [join the club here](https://www.thewildishclub.co.uk/) (it’s free to join). The Wildish Club is place for outside people. Bringing awesome people together across the UK to do interesting stuff outdoors. It's a bit like Cubs, but for adults. When you join the club [via our website](https://www.wildishclub.co.uk/join-the-club) you will gain access to our WhatsApp community. This is where we share events and keep everyone up to date with what’s going on.

An exhibition exploring modern worship, power and devotion through painting, sculpture, installation and live pertormance. Uncultivated Gods is a new exhibition by Kevin Kane, bringing together painting, sculpture, installation and live performance to examine contemporary forms of worship. The exhibition considers the belief systems, desires and structures of power that shape modern life, often operating unnoticed or unquestioned. Rather than focusing on traditional religion, the works explore devotion as it appears today, embedded in celebrity, politics, money and social rituals, asking what has been allowed to flourish without notice, and what might - or should - instead deserve our attention. The exhibition presents a series of paintings, sculpture, installation and performance that approach worship not as a fixed belief, but as a psychological and social condition. Figures, objects and materials function as stand-ins for modern gods: power, visibility, identity, aspiration and control. Kane will present an altar at which to pay homage to the world of celebrity, power and where the natural world can be transgressed. At the back of the altar, as is traditional, will be a painting of a familiar deity, selfie-ready. Towering over this painting, a 3 metre-high inflatable sculpture will be presented, and viewers will be invited to give offerings to ensure the gods remain contented. Paintings will include scenes of heaven imagined from a queer viewpoint, alongside landscapes inspired by an episode of the 1969 TV series Civilisation, entitled The Worship of Nature. An animatronic beating heart encased in a ceramic shell raises the question of whether we truly need love to be happy. The exhibition opens with a live performance at the preview event on 19th February 2026. Ten dancers, accompanied by live vocals and a specially composed sound work, will present a piece designed to explore the idols that we worship, and the important deities we neglect. The work has been choreographed by Dan Baines, who recently starred in the ballet adaption of Quadrophenia at Sadler's Wells and, more recently, in Broadway NYC. Sound has been arranged by Massimo Paramour (Torture Garden, Roast) with vocals provided by Rhian Guerrero. The performance will conclude with a DJ set, transforming the preview into a collective ritualistic ceremony.

**Anyone want company for regular cycling rides around London, with the option of cycling trips abroad later on?** Hi all! I’m based in London and I want to start with **local rides first**, so we can meet properly, ride together, and get a feel for the vibe and pace. If the group clicks over time, we can then gauge interest for **self-organised cycling weekends abroad**, for example Spain. **What we're doing first:** * Regular London rides, starting with **Richmond Park and/or Regent’s Park** **Who it's for:** * **Women** and **non-binary riders**, **queer-friendly**. Open to anyone who feels comfortable in a women-centred space * Age range: **25 to 45** * Best suited to riders comfortable with **50 km+** rides (and building up from there) **Potential Trips (for later):** * If the group grows and people are keen, we can organise self-organised Wed to Sun cycling weekends abroad later on. Everyone would book their own flights, accommodation, and meals. This is not a guided tour, it would be a casual group meet-up style trip. **How this works:** * RSVP here so I can gauge numbers. I’ll confirm the first ride details and share future ride dates ***First Ride, Tentative*** **Sat 21 Feb, 9:30am** (tentative), Richmond Park or Regent’s Park. I’ll confirm once I see numbers.

Join the **Gayzelles Running Club** for a fun way to both keep fit and socialise with other LGBTQIA+ people in our local area! We meet at 8.45am every Saturday by Woolwich Works (The Fireworks Factory 11 No. 1 Street London SE18 6HD, 5 minutes walk from Woolwich station) The Parkrun is called [Thamespath Woolwich](https://www.parkrun.org.uk/thamespathwoolwich). Make sure you have your Parkrun ID handy. It is a 5KM run or walk, but we encourage you to run your best! Afterwards, we regroup for a hot drink at a nearby cafe. We look forward to seeing you there! 🌈 Follow us Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gayzelles/](https://www.instagram.com/gayzelles/) Strava: [https://www.strava.com/clubs/gayzelles](https://www.strava.com/clubs/gayzelles)

Looking to meet more LGBTQ+ people? Join us at The London Art Bar for our regular meet-ups hosted by LAB co-founder Gareth. Now in our fourth year, our meet-ups are all about meeting new people, making friends, and having a good time in a queer-friendly space. The meet-ups have a very relaxed vibe with background music at just the right volume for chatting to people! There are also some boardgames on the shelves if people fancy playing them. Feel free to bring your own! I (Gareth) try my best to greet everybody, but this is of course easier at the beginning of the event. If you are ever stuck, say hello to our friendly bar team who can point you in my direction. Come by yourself or bring a friend :)

# **Band: Old Possum's Menagerie; Caller: Richard Ades** Beginner lesson at 1:30, regular dancing begins at 2:00 pm NOTE THAT WE ARE TEMPORARILY DANCING IN THE AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF EVENING. Dance with us in the afternoon then you can still go out in the evening! **Sponsor: All Soles Contra and Square Dancing, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus OH 43214** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 1:30 - 2:00, followed by dancing 2:00 - 430. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

# **Band and caller TBA** Beginner lesson at 1:30, regular dancing begins at 2:00 pm NOTE THAT WE ARE TEMPORARILY DANCING IN THE AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF EVENING. Dance with us in the afternoon then you can still go out in the evening! **Sponsor: All Soles Contra and Square Dancing, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus OH 43214** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 1:30 - 2:00, followed by dancing 2:00 - 430. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

**In March we will be making protest signs form carboard, paper, thick markers, and more! All supplies are provided, seats are limited! Come As you are, when you can; hope to see you there!**

This Month's Book: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. Join us for discussion at the Granville Public Library from 6 to 7pm. Follow us on Instagram: @granvillepridebookclub

In April WQC's Creativity Circle will be making beaded bracelets and keychains! All supplies provided, open to all, bring yourself (and a friend or two) for when you are able to make it in the two hour window. Note: Seats are Limited to the provided space at the Westerville Public Library in Meeting Room D.

Join us for our February Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *A Master of Djinn* by P. Djèlí Clark in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.