It’s February, which means it’s one of the queerest times of the year as we head into LGBT History month – and Sheffield does not disappoint!
After a difficult couple of years in the world of events, we are back with a bang this month. For those of you who may still be a little cautious heading out – or simply enjoy being able to attend events from the comfort of your own sofa – we still have plenty of online events available as well.
All through February you can view Alexis Gregory’s critically acclaimed production Riot Act. Direct from the West End and touring the UK, this online ‘reimagining’ has been created using interviews with a Stonewall survivor, a radical drag artist and an AIDS activist. If you’re after some local history check out the Steel City Queer History screening (Wed 9 Feb), which includes historic characters, lost venues, personal reminiscences and a unicorn! The film will be followed by a Q&A session with Suzie and Sandra from SCQH about the project.
There are more offerings from Sheffield Libraries with New Queer Kidlit for the New Year (Sat 12 Feb) – as Liz Chapman (Sheffield Libraries) and Zoey Dixon (Lambeth Libraries) bring you their top queer kidlit recommendations for 2022. Outrageous: The Story of Section 28 with Paul Baker (Thu 17 Feb]) tells the full story of Section 28: the background to the Act, how the press fanned the flames what politicians said during debates, how protestors fought back, and its eventual legacy. Central Library will also be hosting an in-person LGBTQ+ Book Group (Wed 23 Feb) where you can share your favourite LGBTQ+ reads and find out about some of the new titles in their collections.
For those of you into musical theatre, Dr James Lovelock is joined by Liam Gartland, Ameena Hamid and Matt Powell for Telling Queer Stories: Producing New Musical Theatre with LGBTQ* Characters (Fri 4 Feb) to discuss how we can create the infrastructure for new musicals in which LGBTQ* characters can thrive. The Society of Genealogists offers a one-hour online Zoom talk with author Gill Rossini in Same Sex Love, 1700–1957: History and Research Sources for Family Historians (Sat 19 Feb). In this talk she will discuss the challenges of same sex historical research, offer guidance on how to approach and interpret those sources and, using many fascinating examples, will highlight what can be done to bring vividly to life these often elusive ancestors.
Last but by no means least in this month’s history will be hosting a LGBT+ History Month Talk (Mon 28 Feb] covering LGBTQ history; from the Georgians, Victorians and Edwardians, through to soap operas giving us our first on-screen gay kisses, right up to our achievements this century, such as gay marriage and adoption. And if all the events this month have made you think that you want to increase your LGBT+ knowledge, then check out SAYiT LGBT+ Awareness Training (Wed 23 Feb).
There are plenty of opportunities for the sports fans amongst you this month with four Rainbow Blades Pre-Match Socials at Spirit of Sheffield as they take on West Bromwich Albion (Wed 9 Feb), Hull City (Tue 15 Feb), Swansea City (Sat 19 Feb) and Blackburn Rovers (Wed 23 Feb). There are also two chances to see Sheffield’s own LGBT inclusive rugby team Sheffield Vulcans as they play against the Typhoons (Sat 12 Feb) and Newcastle Ravens (Sat 26 Feb).
If you prefer your balls to be of the glitter variety then this month’s drag offerings will not disappoint. Malin Bridge Inn are introducing two new queens to their lineup this month, with The Tanya Minge Show (Sat 5 Feb) bringing her powerhouse vocals, gorgeous dance routines and hilarious witty banter before Sassy DJ Brooke (Sat 19 Feb) hosts another night of non-stop bops and hilarious one-liners throughout the night! Love is in the air as The Funky Beavers return to Spirit of Sheffield for their Funky Valentine (Sat 12 Feb) featuring a night of camp joy.
Credit- Ru Paul’s Drag Race
Forum will be hosting RuPauls’s Drag Race Bingo (Fri 11 Feb) – fun games with a RuPaul twist and live performances from Yorkshire’s best up-and-coming Drag Queens. It’s the perfect warm-up act before the latest batch of queens take to the stage at City Hall for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: Series 2 Tour (Mon 14 Feb) tour featuring Season 2 finalists Tayce, Bimini Bon Boulash, Ellie Diamond and Laurence Chaney, along with stars from Drag Race UK.
If that’s not enough drag for you – and let’s face it there is NO SUCH THING as too much drag – then don’t miss the drag legend Lady Bunny at Leadmill (Tue 15 Feb) featuring new parodies of Lizzo, Queen and Ariana Grande, plus brand-new material and some so old that only the dead will recall it.
There is dancing aplenty this month as LGBT Sheffield’s disco for womxn and non-binary people LIPS returns to Spirit of Sheffield on Saturday 5 Feb. Spirit will also be launching their new night, KINK (Sat 26 Feb), an all-gender queer-focused fetish social, welcome to all whether experienced fetishists or new/curious a space to meet likeminded folk. Fetishwear is welcome (no full nudity) but not compulsory.
Credit- Lady Bunny Website
We have more club nights as global queer dance icons Horse Meat Disco return to the Steel City for Tuesday Club at Foundry (Tue 1 Feb) and CYB3R PARTY head back to DINA (Fri 11 Feb) for the second instalment of their new hyperpop/pc muzik night hosted by Poor Spice, Bambi Smith and Gnarkill. Queer-led inclusive night Love&Lust takes place at Gut Level (Fri 11 Feb), showcasing a sexy Valentine’s party lineup featuring Sofie K, Alex Aubyn, Stephanie and Enya’s Drug Dealer.
Double Dare Ya (formerly PSSY Culture) presents QUEER PROM at Yellow Arch on Saturday 12 Feb). So many LGBTQ+ folk didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy prom as their true selves, many weren’t out yet or simply weren’t able to express themselves, so they’re creating an opportunity to do it again but a safe and accepting space. With live music and DJs ‘til late, the event will welcome you all back for the prom of your queer dreams! While over at Sidney and Matilda we have Refugee Rhythms (Thu 17 Feb) bringing the best techno and house tunes with a lineup including Apricot Ballroom, Thirdspace and Joe W raising funds for LASS (Lesbian Asylum Support Sheffield).
A final shoutout to Byronic Sex & Exile who will be bringing revolutionary zeal and romantic passion back to goth, joined by special guest AMereKat bringing the joys (and sorrows) of ukulele to whoever will sit still long enough to listen, taking place at Shakespeares on Tuesday 22 Feb.
That’s (almost) your lot for this month – several venues where still confirming their LGBT History Month schedules at the time of writing, so keep an eye on this column and the Sheffield LGBT event page on facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents for updates and announcements on the latest events and news.
