The 2020 festivities centre on the themes of ‘Poetry, Prose and Plays’ with events for everyone to enjoy across Camden and Islington

forum+ is very proud to showcase the largest line-up of events celebrating LGBT History Month in the UK. The 2020 festivities centre on the themes of ‘Poetry, Prose and Plays’ with events for everyone to enjoy across Camden and Islington. From guided walks in Islington, to LGBT+ under-fives’ story book mornings; from plays by LGBT writers to queer poetry readings; from the Loudest Whispers Art exhibition to the LGBT Film Day at the British Museum, it’s a month brimming with events.

Throughout February – Various times
LGBT+ Under Fives mornings
Throughout the month Islington Libraries will be celebrating with storybooks from our LGBT+ Under Fives booklist. Come along and join in the fun and pick up a free booklist as well. The book list includes thirty of some of the best titles available, all of which alongside the book list can be found in each of Islington’s ten libraries. The book list includes story books such as Red: a Crayon’s story, Donovan’s Big Day, Are you a boy or a girl? and information books such as It’s Okay to be Different, Who’s in a Family, I am Jazz and many more.
Venue: The LGBT+ Under Fives mornings will be held in different libraries and addresses. Please visit www.islington.gov.uk for more information.

Throughout February – Various times
Modern poetry, prose and plays by LGBT+ writers
Gays the Word bookshop has selected 29 titles for a unique book promotion at Islington Central Library. The collection is accompanied by a booklist of the chosen titles. Every day a selected title will be tweeted from the account @Islingtonlibs.
Venue: Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent N5 1PF

Sunday 16th and 23rd February Midday – 5.00pm Showcase: 23rd February 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Drag Academy
Welcome to the magical world of Drag! Have you ever wondered what drag is all about? Would you like to grow in confidence or explore performing arts? Then this is the perfect space for you. Crayola The Queen (Queen expert) and Clay Taurus (King expert) will be working with you this time round. There is even an opportunity to take part in the Showcase! This is a fun and safe space so we ask that you are respectful of people’s genders, pronouns, sexual orientation and diversity. Please note that you need to attend all days to be accepted.
Venue: TBC – For more details visit: mosaicyouth.org.uk/dragacademy

Monday 10th February – Thursday 9th April (Monday To Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm)
Loudest Whispers 2020 Art Work Exhibition
Loudest Whispers 2020 is a mixed multi-media visual art exhibition celebrating the creativity of LGBT artists. 16 New artists combine with over 30 established artists including Simon Croft, Jaime Freestone, Pawel Jaskulski, Michele Martinolli, Peter Smith, Terence Wilde and Simon Richardson with displays of new developments through the support of The Arts Project. The theme of LGBT History Month 2020 is Poetry, Prose and Plays. Inspired by this concept, digital photography and graphic design artist Marius Els has created a stunning 3D installation involving a magical mysterious book revealing secrets from pages in the entrance of the gallery.
Venue: The Conference Centre Gallery, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, NW1 OPE

Tuesday 11th February – 6.00pm-7.00pm
How Islington became a haven for gay teenagers in late 1970s and 1980s Britain’ by Dr Clifford Williams
In this talk Dr Clifford Williams charts the origins of the first officially registered gay youth group in Britain and looks at the role the Boroughs of Islington and Camden played in the early history of organised LGBT youth support. This is a free event. Please book your tickets through Eventbrite. Please visit Islington Libraries website for further details.
Venue: Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street EC1V 4NB

Tuesday 11th February and Tuesday 25th February – 7.00pm-9.00pm
T on a Tuesday
T on Tuesday is a friendly, informal and very welcoming twice monthly group, open to all trans & non-binary people. Meets include peer discussion/support, guest speakers and of course socialising. The age is varied (18+) and users come from a diverse range of backgrounds. The venue is safe and private with facilities available for those that may want to change in to preferred gender clothing. Meetings are facilitated. Just turn up.
Venue: London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road N1 9DN

Wednesday 12th February – Midday-2.00pm
LGBT Drop In at Union Chapel
Join forum+ and our Islington’s Pride partners to explore their LGBT Archive and Special Collection, and to test your knowledge of Islington’s rich LGBT+ heritage in a mini quiz. The monthly LGBT Drop In session is a relaxed and safe social space with free refreshments and lunch (soup and a roll) provided. This is a free event and no booking is necessary. For more information, please contact info@forumplus.org.uk
Venue: Union Chapel, Compton Terrace N1 2UN

Thursday 13th February
Doors open from 6.00pm. Show starts 8.00pm and ends at 11.00pm.
Willma’s Ballsdrop Bingo
Pride in London introduces Willma’s Ballsdrop Bingo hosted by amazingly fabulous William Ballsdrop. A night with games, themes for every single evening with a costume competition, raffles and performers.
Join us at The Apple Tree every Thursday starting the 13th February, 9th April, 18th June, 23rd September and 29th October 2020. Play bingo, see performers and win prizes for best costume of the evening and raffle. Doors open 7.00pm with bingo from 8.00pm – 11.00 pm. Come along earlier to enjoy some yummy food and delicious drinks at the venue. £5.00 tickets includes two strips of raffle tickets. Visit www.prideinlondon.org website to get your tickets. 18+
Venue: The Apple Tree, 45 Mount Pleasant WC1X 0AE

Saturday 15th February – 11.00am-4.00pm
LGBTQ films and talks with forum+ at the British Museum free but booking essential via www.britishmuseum.org
Join forum+ at The British Museum for a day of LGBTQ- themed film screenings and discussions around this year’s theme Poetry, Prose and Plays.

11.00am – 11.40am short films
Pronouns, dir. Michael Paulucci (9’)
An African American teenager from the South Side of Chicago decides to reveal their true identity during a spoken word performance only to be interrupted by an uninvited guest.

The Imaginary Woman (Mujer Imaginaria), dir. Laura Benavides (12’)
Experimental animated poem about the intimate transformation of a woman.

Reading Gaol, dir. Aymeric Nicolet (14’)
Based on Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol, Reading Gaol focuses on Wilde’s time in prison after being convicted of “gross indecency” for his relationship with lover Lord Alfred Douglas. As his body and spirit break under the cruelty of prison life, and the people closest to him grow further apart, he can only find refuge in writing.

11.50am -12.30pm
Reading Gaol panel discussion and Q&A

12.30pm – 1.15pm break – object handling desk 13.15pm – 3.pm feature film

Orlando, dir. Sally Potter (93’)
Sally Potter’s dazzling interpretation of Virginia Woolf ’s novel of the same name follows the fortunes of a young aristocrat from 1600 to the present day, as he changes sex and discards his biological and cultural destiny along the way.

3.00pm – 4.30pm
Desire, love, identity: an LGBTQ tour of the British Museum
Explore objects in the collection linked to the theme of desire, love and identity on this volunteer-led tour. Please note that tickets for the tour are limited and will be distributed on a firstcome first-served basis on the day of the event.
Venue: The British Museum, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG

Monday 17th February
10.00am – 11.00am
Drag Queen Story time with Cookie MonStar
Drag Queen Story Time for the under fives comes to Cally Clock Tower Centre as we celebrate LGBT+ history month! Cookie MonStar, queen of comedy and improvisation, will read from a selection of books picked from Islington Library and Heritage
Service LGBTQ+ under-fives book list. Cookie has entertained audiences worldwide with her comedy cabaret shows and is a hit with our Under Fives Drag Queen Story time sessions in Islington’s libraries. Drag Queen Story Time is a free event. To book your place please visit www.callypark.london. Venue: Cally Clock Tower Centre, Market Road, London, N7 9FR

Monday 17th February
8.30pm -10.30pm
Incite! Poetry
Join London’s best Queer poetry night for an LGBT History Month special! Performance poet Hannah Chutzpah will host an evening of poetry and spoken word performances at the open mic. There will also be an opportunity to read and recite some of the most famous and unforgettable pieces of LGBTQ poetry ever written! After the event, you are all invited to the bar at Phoenix Arts Club which is open until 2:30 am in the morning!
Venue: Phoenix Arts Club, 1 Phoenix Street, London WC2H 8BU

Tuesday 18th February
7.30pm – 9.00pm
TransLondon
Trans London is a discussion/support group for people who identify as trans or who are questioning their gender identity. The group was formed in the winter of 2007 and has been meeting every third Tuesday of the month at Gays The Word Bookshop ever since.
The monthly Trans London meeting is for all members of the trans community, whatever their gender identity (or identities) and whatever stage in their transition they have reached (if at all). However, all members must themselves be trans- identified or ‘questioning’. Free entry.
Venue: Gay’s The Word Bookshop, 66 Marchmont St, WC1N 1AB

Wednesday 19th February
6.30pm – 9.30pm
Cooking with pride
Come and cook with pride at St Luke’s Community Centre. In celebration of LGBT History Month we’re getting together to cook, eat and socialise together in the kitchen. Led by an expert chef you’ll learn some delicious recipes and we’ll then sit down to eat together as a group. All levels are welcome – this is a relaxed, open class for everybody with an interest in food and cooking!
You may BYOB. This class is free and open to anyone who lives, works and socialises in Islington and Camden. Book through Eventbrite – search ‘Cooking with pride’. There are no restrictions – people of all cooking abilities welcome! Venue: St Luke’s Community Centre, Central Street, Cookery School, 90 Central Street EC1V 8AJ

Thursday 20th February
2.00pm
Intergenerational Afternoon Tea
Members of London’s LGBT+ community aged 13-19 and 50+ are cordially invited to an Intergenerational Afternoon Tea on the 20th Feb at 2pm at Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre. The event will offer participants an opportunity to share stories, learn from each other and build a better sense of community over tea and cake. Please RSVP to info@mosaicyouth.org.uk
Venue: Hpod 1000 Cumberland Market NW1 3RH

Thursday 20th February
6.00 – 7.00pm Islington’s Pride LGBTQ+ Archive Showcase
Join Islington’s Pride at the Islington Local History Centre for a short talk about the LGBTQ+ archive and have a look at some of the items in the collection. This talk will be an opportunity to explore Islington’s Pride growing archive of LGBT+ Islington. Learn first hand from Project Archivist Marlin Khondoker about the significance of the collection, what’s needed to preserve local history and (in some cases!) a trip down memory lane. For booking enquiries please visit www.islingtonspride.com. Max 30 people on a first come, first served basis.
Venue: Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street EC1V 4NB

Saturday 22nd February
1.30pm – 4.00pm
Poetry on Film with Verlaine and Rimbaud
Poets Rimbaud and Verlaine embarked on a passionate and destructive relationship in 1873, some of which took place in Camden in Royal College Street. South American cultural and film expert Adam Feinstein introduces a rare screening of Agnieszka Holland’s Total Eclipse 1995 with David Thewlis and a remarkable early performance by Leonardo Di Caprio. The introduction will be given by film and poetry expert Adam Feinstein. Meet at 1.00pm outside 3 Royal College St NW1 to view the Camden address where Rimbaud and Verlaine once lived and then walk to The Conference Centre. Refreshments available with donation.
Venue: Meet 3 Royal College St NW1 and/or at The Conference Centre Gallery, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way NW1 OPE

Tuesday 25th February
From 11.30am
Outcome Open Day
Celebrate LGBTQ History month with Outcome and enjoy a home-cooked meal! You can learn more about our weekly wellbeing and mental health pan-London support service for the LGBTQ community. We will have activity tasters, such as massage, creative-writing, art, Qigong, and the opportunity to talk to service-users, volunteers, and staff. This event is free and accessible – please call ahead on 020 7272 5038 to let us know that you are coming and we will set up as necessary, as the doorbell may not be accessible to all wheelchair users. Please email sigal.avni@islingtonmind.org.uk to confirm attendance. Venue: 35 Ashley Road, Crouch Hill, N19 3AG

Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th February
7.15pm & 9.00pm
Mina
An experimental reworking of Paper Thin, Nataly Lebouleux’s award-winning animated film, this piece uses an innovative cross-art language and style to explore the controversial issue of conversion therapy and gay exorcisms. Combining film, animation, physicality and sound, this piece is fluid, layered and open to interpretations. There will be post-show discussions for audience members on Jan 25th with the production’s creative team, focusing on the devising process and themes which inspired the creation of Mina. This production is accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences through creative captioning integrated into the fabric of the piece. Tickets £12/£10 (concession). To book please visit www.cptheatre.co.uk
Venue: Camden People’s Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Rd, NW1 2PY

Wednesday 26th February
11am -12.30pm
Out4Coffee
Join us at our LGBT History Month Out4Coffee at 11.00am on Wednesday 26th February. Out4Coffee runs on the
last Wednesday of each month. Hosted by our Case and Outreach Manager, Out4Coffee is an opportunity to discuss any LGBT+ safety concerns and enjoy coffee, cake and a chat with friends.
Venue: TBC – For more information please contact info@forumplus.org.uk

Thursday 27th February
Doors open 5.30pm for 6.00pm start – ends at 7.00pm
Mental Health Matters
What difficulties do LGBT people have getting local services and what is the effect on their wellbeing and mental health? We discuss whether local services meet the needs of people who are LGBT, the difficulties that LGBT people have getting the right help, the barriers that they come up against and how those barriers can be removed. Guest speaker: Monty Moncrieff MBE, Chief Executive, London Friend. This is a free event. No booking necessary.
Venue: St Pancras Conference Centre, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way NW1 0PE

Thursday 27th February
6.30pm – 8.30pm
Celebrating the Loudest Whispers 2020 Spin Off Exhibition
With over 50 artists represented by 2020 Loudest Whispers at The St Pancras Conference Centre Loudest Whispers are proud to present for the first time a dynamic spinoff exhibition.
In collaboration with The Old Diorama Theatre we present a striking range of artwork in the Old Diorama Gallery Space at Regent’s Place. The launch includes celebratory entertainment and refreshments. The exhibition is on display Friday 14/2/20 to Sunday 8/3/20. Hours Monday to Friday 10am-9.pm and Sat/ Sun 9am-6pm.
Venue: Old Diorama Theatre, Regent’s Place, 201 Drummond Street NW1 3FE

Saturday 29th February
Midday and 2.30pm
Walking tours of LGBTQ Holloway
This new walk, led by Islington Guides, explores the LGBTQ heritage of Holloway. Starting outside Highbury & Islington Station, we will follow Offord Road to the hinterland of Caledonian Park.
See where England’s most famous composer lived with his lover of 39 years and hear their love song. See where Oscar started the sentence he never really finished and where it was safe for gays and lesbians to play sport….and just play. This LGBTQ walk is free. To book your place please visit www.callypark.london. Starting at Highbury & Islington Station. Ending at Caledonian Park
Venue: Cally Clock Tower Centre, Market Road N7 9FR

Saturday 29 February
Midday – 5.00pm
Islington’s Pride: LGBT stories from our community
This pop-up exhibition explores some of Islington’s LGBT+ heritage through the organisations, people and places where history was made. Copies of original items from Islington Museum’s LGBT+ archive will be available too. Islington has a strong and well established LGBT+ community, with a long history of social action and campaigning. Learn about the community’s history of protest, how badges have played an important part in this story and make your own protest badge. Free, however booking is required: www.callypark.eventbrite.co.uk
Venue: Cally Clock Tower, Centre Caledonian Park N7 9HF

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