LGBTQ+ History Month Fundraiser!

Join us to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month and fundraise for the vital work that Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre does.

Unknown to many, Leicester has a rich history of LGBTQ+ activism and culture. Come along to find out more!

6pm-8pm. Doors open from 5:30pm.

This evening will feature:

• Tales from Leicester's LGBTQ+ past with Bernard Greaves - the first openly gay man to hold national office in a UK political party!
• Performances from Mo Ndugu, Amy Walpole, and Bobba Cass.
• Hosted by LIV!
• Superb prizes up for grabs, whilst supporting the work of the Centre, with our raffle!

Plus, the chance to connect and gather with Leicestershire's LGBTQ+ community at a queer-owned venue.

Tickets can also be brought at the door for a suggested donation of £4.

Don't let the price of a ticket put you off - there are free tickets for those unwaged and/ or unable to purchase a ticket right now. No questions asked.

Bernard Greaves (he/him) has been advocating for LGBTQ+ rights for 50 years, both locally and nationally. Bernard pioneered the Liberal Party’s commitment to removing legal discrimination based on sexual orientation in its 1979 general election manifesto and was the first openly gay man to hold national office in a UK political party. He has held a large number of positions in the fields of politics, gay rights, the voluntary sector and community development - even running the Centre's predecessor Gayline out of his own home in the 1980s.

Come along and hear wonderful stories, such as how they turned the town hall square fountain pink (cough - orange) at the very first Pride in Leicester.

Amy Walpole (they/them) is an 18 year-old poet and spoken-word performer who writes about butchness, gender and politics. They have won awards such as the WEM Solstice Prize, been shortlisted for the national Penguin Creative Student Prize and in 2023 was a top-100 winner of the international Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, the biggest poetry competition for young people in the world. They have headlined events such as Word! Leicester, Queer Coffee, Get Mouthy, The Poetry Society's Young Poets' Takeover and have performed and discussed their work on the radio. They are driven by empathy for victims of social injustice, solidarity with other queer people, and a fierce sense of hope for a brighter future.

Munroop (she/her) is a spoken word artist, educator, and devoted novice DJ.

"Poetry is the medium where I can express myself completely. My poetry usually focuses on the theme of otherness, ranging from social commentary to the journey of befriending my darkness. I write for my sanity, I write to remind myself to live in the light, and I write with the hope that it nudges or reminds someone else to do the same, just as other poets have done for me.

I’m inspired by all manner of frequencies, but my storytelling is certainly influenced by 'hip-hop and rap' because 'that’s where my heart’s at!’ I look forward to commemorating LGBTQ+ history with you all."

In 2023, Munroop founded Queer Coffee Link Ups, a space in Leicester where folks from all walks of life can commune in reflection and creativity.

Bobba Cass is a gay, grey poet. He organises a monthly poetry event called, Pinggg…K!

Bobba grew up in the United States and was in the Peace Corps in Nigeria in the 1960s. Once a married man, he came out in his late forties following a police entrapment arrest. An academic whose advanced degrees were in English literature and Cultural Studies, he has been an activist in struggles against apartheid, racism in schools, nuclear weapons and nuclear energy as well as for HIV/AIDS provision and Pride.

Liv (they/she) has been active in the British drag scene since late 2017. They began in Norwich where they studied BA(Hons) Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts, receiving a first class degree for their body of work in drag artistry. 

During this time, Liv began working on the drag circuit and producing events for the LGBTQ+ community, creating spaces where people could explore their gender and sexuality and have their queerness celebrated. 

Liv spent lockdown living in London and their hometown in Nottingham, where they eventually relocated. As restrictions lifted they burst back with their touring revue Cabaret Liberté, encouraging performers to shed the commercial and honour their artistry authentically. 

They also began hosting Drag Pageants to cultivate emerging talent and counter televised drag competitions with an inclusive casting that better represents the British drag scene’s incredible range and diversity. 

Liv is an associate artist at the Norwich Arts Centre, Queen in residence at The Lord Roberts in Nottingham, and the Mainstage Coordinator for Nottinghamshire Pride.

“I couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard, and couldn’t see from crying - Liv was so funny tonight.” Nottingham - Oct 2024

“Mad as a bag of gerbils and five times as hairy!”, Birmingham - Dec 2024

Host or Publisher Leicester LGBT Centre