QueerSpace Belfast

Around the world people mark the 35th World Aids Day on the 1st Dec 2023

Stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person”. Stigma comes in many different forms, it can be public, self and associated and affects many people in different ways. When we think about stigma we think about what it relates to.

For many people living with HIV, stigma and the fear of stigma can be a way of life.

Last month the Scottish government released a new information campaign “stigma does more harm than HIV”. This is the first large scale campaign since the 1980’s. In a piece from the Terrance Higgins Trust, they highlight the contrast in 1987 the advert’s message was ‘it’s a deadly disease and there’s no known cure’, while this new campaign explains how an HIV diagnosis has transformed since then by highlighting ‘you can live a healthy, happy, life just like anyone else”.

To mark the pivotal impact communities have had in shaping the HIV response, as well as well as the global health at large, the theme of World Aids Day 2023 is “Let communities lead”.

https://youtu.be/zX91VwsEMAQ?si=OeOge4mTu98jBxzg

Reclaim the Night Belfast
25th November 2023
Writers Square 5:30pm
As part of the 16 days of Activism to end Gender Based Violence join us to hear from a range of speakers, then march with us through the city centre to reclaim public space for all.

Our partners in England have alerted us to an NHS England consultation proposing a new policy which will effectively ban puberty blockers. Whilst this plan has been known for a while, the latest consultation round was poorly publicised and thus missed by the majority of the community.

We would urge anyone who can to submit their response to the consultation to help reject this policy change.

You'll find a link to the consultation (including a brief guide on how you might want to word your responses) here: https://whatthetrans.com/puberty-blockers-consultation-advice/

Two upcoming events in November after our community meetings 4 Nov and 18 Nov in BelfastLGBTCentre - please note the time

Spooky community meeting at Q***rspace today

Condolences to Edmund’s family, friends, and loved ones. Rest in peace

We are saddened to hear about the passing of Edmund Lynch, a pioneer of the Irish Gay Rights Movement and an extraordinary advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Edmund was one of our grand marshals this year and will be remembered for his fierce wit (and sharp tongue)

We send our condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Ta-dah! It’s HERE!

Our programme for the 17th Outburst Q***r Arts Festival has dropped!

Full programming and event booking on our website, where you can also download the full programme in PDF format. Also, LOOK AT THE COMPLETE AND UTTER HOTNESS of the printed programme 🔥😻

https://outburstarts.com/festival/

It smells like fresh paint and screams I WANT ALL THE MERCH WITH DISASSOCIATION KITTY ON IT. (Her name is Alice.)

Big love to all the artists and contributors who made this one of the best and most vital editions of the festival ever. Outburst is all about our artists, audiences and community, and we can’t wait to be together with you all in November for dancing, chats and GOOD TIMES.

Please share the programme with wild abandon.

Tis a little bit exciting.

ID: hot off the press, behold the Outburst printed programme 2023 with kitty Alice in a field of dandelions

***r ***rarts ***an

Well, this is exciting! Causeway Pride

Q***r people don’t grow up as ourselves, we grow up playing a version of ourselves that sacrifices our authenticity for safety.

At Causeway Pride we want to change things so that people no longer have to grow up that way and no longer have to recover from childhood.

But that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about those who have already grown up.

Once we accept our true identities so begins the task of unpacking and understanding which parts of us are truly us and which parts belong to the mask. And one of the best ways to do this is to treat our inner child to the things they would want. To give them the experiences that they missed out on.

And that’s why it gives us great pleasure to announce that Causeway Pride are holding a Winter Ball this December

Come and join us for a formal. It’s a night for us and our allies to get all dressed up how we want and be in good company. To enjoy performances and have a dance of our own in a safe space.

Little by little we will reclaim our lives.

More Info & Tickets coming soon

Npsc KE US EMBASSY KENYA US Embassy KENYA Npsc Kenya

No one should live in fear - the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) should urgently evacuate LGBTQ refugees from Kenya’s notorious Kakuma Camp in order to save their lives.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/05/kenyas-kakuma-refugee-camp-not-yet-safe-for-lgbti-asylum-seekers/

Yes 👍 Dublin

Reminder for the upcoming presentation by Dr. Sé Sullivan on Trans Pride Day.
16th Sept ~ 3.15PM @ Belfast LGBTQIA+ Centre. All welcome.
Trans Pride Northern Ireland
Mermaids Northern Ireland Service Belfast Trans Resource Centre
Here NI The Rainbow Project Q***rSpace Belfast Cara-Friend

We’re looking forward to Trans Pride on the 16th Sept.🏳️‍⚧️ We will not have our LGBTQIA+ community meeting on the 16th so everyone can participate. Come along to the community space in the LGBTQIA+ Centre after Trans Pride for this talk with Dr Sé Sullivan.

Come join us at ArtceteraStudio for the launch of The Big Q***r Art Show on Saturday 22nd July 6PM - 9PM. Free Entry, All Welcome :)

Solidarity
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091713933532

In a sea of tributes... Myra's says it all... Rest in Peace Lillian May Veronica Savage 💔

There’s a story, possibly legend, about Lily that I love. It’s said that on the night the police raided the Vauxhall Tavern at the height of the AIDs crisis Lily was carted down the station. The copper asked Lily her name.
“Lily Savage”
The copper asked for her real name.
“Lilian May Veronica Savage”

She came from a generation of such ferocity, strength and defiance. And as we face fresh bigots who try and once again stamp out our existence with death-threats, & violence & harassment, when it begins to feel too much we should remember Lily’s generation.

Lily is pictured here with Pat and Breda McConnon on their last night running the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in 1993.

She’s alongside Regina Fong, and Adrella, who are also no longer with us. I could talk for hours about those two queens and their own legacies, but today is about Lily Savage. Lilian May Veronica Savage.

Very best of luck to our lovely pals at Belfast Trans Resource Centre. 🏳️‍⚧️❤️🏳️‍⚧️

Hey Folks!

The BTRC has reopened! We hope to see you down at the centre soon.

You can find more information on our events by checking out our website:

https://belfasttrans.org.uk/

Solidarity with Omagh Pride ❤️

‘Shameless use of minority group for electioneering’ claim as Pride motion shot down Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has rejected a proposal that would see an annual event held to mark Pride in the borough. The…