LGBTQIA

Read reviews from past participants [here](https://www.greenhousecreativesanctuary.com/inclusivegrief) “Grief has never been private, it has always been communal. Subconsciously, we are awaiting the presence of others, before we can feel safe enough to drop to our knees on the holy ground of sorrow. For the most part, grief is not a problem to be solved, not a condition to be medicated, but a deep encounter with an essential experience of being human. Grief becomes problematic when the conditions needed to help us work with grief are absent.” - Francis Weller Our primary association with grief is the loss of a loved one but there are so many kinds of losses that don't have formal ceremonies that are important to honour. Unprocessed grief can accumulate in weight, dulling our senses and capacity for aliveness. This is a safe, supportive space for all shapes, sizes and textures of grief- for the loss of our loved ones, for the childhood we did not get to have, for the parts of ourselves that have been rejected and exiled, for friendships and relationships with ambiguous endings, for homes and communities we are distanced from and miss, for the suffering of the world and our fellow beings. This inclusive grief circle is also an advocacy for compassionate and attentive grief work, for reshaping our understanding of and relationship with grief. It is a holding space, a container, a time and a deep permission to acknowledge our emotions, our connections, the ways we have been touched and transformed, and our humanity. We will make art in response to the Grief Deck, share and witness each other’s stories and journeys, and co-create a group nature mandala together. **Please bring a jar and 8-10 similar natural objects (8 flowers or 8 sticks or 8 stones).** If you are facing financial hardship, please key in CONCESSION as a promo code for a discounted price of $25. If that is still difficult, please email me at greenhouse.arttherapy@gmail.com. No one will be turned away. **Please also note:** * This is an art-therapy informed community-based creative workshop, and is not intended to replace individual or group therapy, and is also not for emergency crisis support or intervention. * If you are comfortable with me taking photos of you and/or your artwork for learning and supervision purposes, and to offer others a sense of what the workshop is like, please let me know at the start of the session. Your participation would be greatly appreciated! * While the estimated time is 2 hours, it might overrun depending on the size of the group and the conversations we are having so please allow some grace for that.

Hi Radiant Ladies, A morning walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, followed by coffee and good conversation — simple pleasures, wonderful company. Join us for a gentle, refreshing start to the day in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful settings. All welcome. Looking forward to seeing your lovely faces! ☕🌿 Lyn 🌸

We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) The Wharf Hotel by the river. Southern Cross Station is closest. Ask at the bar to find us. Or call us 0403193785. Tonight's Social Evening Schedule: (Ideas welcome) 6pm to 6.45pm: Socializing​​ 6.45pm to 6.55pm: Introduction and overview of the evening by Jim including go-around introduction​​ 6.55pm to 7pm: A word from Mat our founder​​ 7pm to 7.10pm A paired connection question to get people talking with one another​​ 7.10pm to 7.30pm: Guest Topic: Lee is a very successful podcaster and has been both an interviewer and an interviewee on podcasts. He will provide an overview of the podcasting world and give advice on how to be a successful interviewee on someone's podcast. 10 mins talk. 10 mins Q&A. 7.30pm to 8.15pm: Readings section open to all to read out something from their work up to 4 minutes. Feedback optional.​​ 8.15pm to 9.30pm: Socializing. Optional. Many of us love this as a chance to connect personally in a screen-addicted culture. • Come out and meet some like-minded folks who enjoy writing and other entertainment and creative outlets. We'll hang around until at least 8.30pm, but often later. All age ranges, all writing types (and entertainment types), all the way from never writing and up to published authors. • This night is about you. So chat to people, read out your work, give feed back, get to know everyone... Or, feel free to sit back and chill. It's your night, enjoy it how you see fit. **Please only RSVP if you can make it.** **We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming.** **We have added an attendee limit, so please update your RSVP if you can not make it.** Thank you, Melbourne Writers. The Wharf Hotel food menu: https://www.wharfhotel.com.au/eat-and-drink Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by getting in contact so you can add to these social pages and site - matclarke.author@gmail.com**

**Welcome to our Tuesday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **Father’s Office QV** **249 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000** **QV location / balcony** We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3 at entry** to support the venue. *** ### 💬 Find your people (New!) Looking to practice a specific language? Post in the discussion using: * **#LearnSpanish** * **#LearnEnglish** * **#TeachEnglish** * **#LearnJapanese** * etc. 👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect. *** ### *** ### ⏰ What to expect We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups). People arrive at different times — **best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.** Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally. *** ### 🌏 Who attends? A mix of: * Native & non-native English speakers * International students * Backpackers & working holiday travellers * Professionals & expats * Local Australians You’ll meet people from: Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more. *** ### 🗣️ Why join? 👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English 👉 Meet people from around the world 👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations *** ### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social. 👉 You’ll get: * Free drinks (beer/soft drink) * Food (pizza, wedges, etc.) * A fun team to hang out with No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**. Interested? 👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer) *** 📲 **More info:** [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) or **@Linguas.AU**

We've heard you loud and clear, and we're excited to present the first sapphic session of Queen of Hearts Speed Dating! Hosted by the bisexual icon Ruby Slippers who will help you with icebreakers and conversation starters, and even perform a fabulous burlesque show as the finale. [(Link to booking)](https://www.trybooking.com/DALHR) Doors open 6pm with speed dating running 6:30 - 8:30pm. Each ticket is $10 entry only or $20 including a free cocktail of your choice. Book online or pay at the door (bookings preferred). Note: This event is intended for the FLINTA\* community who identify as sapphic/WLW/lesbian. We would love to hear if there is interest in holding these events for other genders and sexualities, please let us know! \*female, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans and agender people Pride of our Footscray is located up a flight of stairs and unfortunately does not have an elevator. We apologise for our reduced accessibility.

It's Footscray's famous Drag Bingo! We promise there is no drag bingo like it, it's famous for a reason! Join your fabulous drag host for an evening of fun bingo games, camp drag shows, comedy, cocktails, prizes & much more! [(Link to booking)](https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/825729) It's just $12 to play with over $100 in guaranteed prizes to give away including a $50 bar tab, $50 cash, and other drink and prize giveaways throughout the night. You can also add a cocktail or meal package to your ticket for the full Pride of our Footscray experience! Doors open 6:30pm and balls drop at 7:30pm sharp. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to be seated and get your food and drink before the show starts!

**Pride Film Party: Kinky Boots (2005)** [TICKET LINK HERE](https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1521759) The biggest monthly queer movie experience in Melbourne. Check prideofourfootscray on Instagram for the monthly movies details, we're showing iconic queer films all through 2026! There will also be moments of audience participation for the adventourous types, i.e. deliver your favourite line or act out a scene with a mate. Even a song if it's a musical. It's a fun way to enjoy great queer/queer-relevant films with like-minded people.

**Tickets:** [https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bisexualpansexual-speed-dating-tickets-1985428683639](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bisexualpansexual-speed-dating-tickets-1985428683639) With dating apps linked to stress, anxiety, poor body image, and low self-esteem, it's no wonder more and more people are looking to make connections in the real world - that's where we come in! If you're a bisexual or pansexual individual looking to meet some new people, whether it's for romantic or social connections, this could be the opportunity you're looking for. This is for people of all ages (18+). The event will be organised by a mental health professional, and aims to provide a safe place for everyone; discrimination, harassment, and bullying will not be tolerated. **How It Works** \- An experienced host will provide structure\, and will be available for queries throughout the event \- Attendees are divided into two groups and cycle through 10 minute dates at random \- Some short breaks are provided in between batches of dates to give people the chance to mingle and reset \- We don't do scorecards; attendees are encouraged to create their own opportunities \- A list of prompt questions will be available to keep the conversation flowing If you have any questions, accessibility concerns, or are experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to us to discuss!

Westerville Pride Festival Sat\. June 6\, 2026 \| 5 PM \- 8 PM If you're thinking of attending, or being a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer, visit our website at https://www.westervillequeercollective.org/pride for more information! Location and other info will be announced soon :)

Want to see your work shine and put your pride on display? Then come to July's Creativity Circle! We will be making simple Suncatchers with tissue paper! Seats and supplies limited! Come while you can for as long as you like! Westerville Public Library in Meeting Room D.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.