The importance of Queer Spaces

First of all, happy Pride Month to my fellow queers and all my LGBTQIA+ siblings out there! I hope you’re able to celebrate safely, and that you have a wonderful time, whether you’re out or not. For those that don’t know, I identify as queer through and through, from my sexuality to my gender!

So what defines a queer space? Whilst I don’t believe there to be an official definition, I would personally define it as a space that was designed, or designated for us, or by us. These are spaces that we can exist in without ridicule, shame, or fear. There are more and more of these spaces online, where I have had some wonderful conversations, learned, and grown with my community, but what about in person? Real bricks and mortar spaces? I am very lucky to live in Manchester, a city that on the whole, is diverse and accepting of people from all walks of life, but it’s still by no means perfect.

Of course we have the gay village, the centre hub for Manchester Pride, however for a lot of us, this space isn’t accessible. For starters, I don’t drink alcohol anymore, I also suffer in spaces that are hot and leave me having to be stood up for a long time, making clubbing not really the ideal socialising activity these days. I know a lot of other chronically ill queer people feel the same as I do, left out. We have precious few sober LGBT+ spaces, and we should cling to those as long as we can.

These spaces are endlessly important because not only can we exist as our most authentic selves, these are spaces we come together to learn, where the new LBGT+ youth can hear stories from their elders, to hear about how their struggles led to the freedoms we have today. Where people can learn from others with similar experiences to them, to form bonds, to find identity, and community. But they’re also spaces to organise, Stonewall, the first pride, was a riot, caused by an attempt by police to desecrate and tear down one of these spaces, and take it out of the hands of the community for no reason other than bigotry. But now, we’re here to stay whether they like it or not.

I want to make it very clear that any space I operate, as an individual, and as a business, any events run under the IGC name, are a queer space, you are not just safe, but you are celebrated here. I want each and every one of you to know that you will always be free to express your truest self with me, free from judgement. This pride month, the least we all deserve is the freedom to be ourselves, truly, and authentically. Keep fighting my loves, we’re all in this together.

I have plenty of events in mind for the future when I’m feeling up to running them, I want to make sure you all get me at my best! If you want to be notified first of any events happening then get yourself on my mailing list if you’re not already! You’ll also get posts like this direct to your inbox periodically, and special offers and discounts!