lancaster.gay

We’re so excited to announce that Queer By Gum CIC has received one year of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund! Thank you to everyone who has supported us to get to this point, to our wonderful queer creative community and to @tnlcommunityfund and its lottery players for the grant! What does this mean? Up until now Queer By Gum CIC has been entirely volunteer led, however the running of the organisation was becoming increasingly unmanageable as provision increased. This funding will cover 12 months running costs so we can continue to grow and become a sustainable not-for-profit LGBTQ+ provision. This includes funding to cover studio rental costs; professional fees (insurance/accounts) and investment in a new paid Project Manager role (16 hours) to coordinate and manage existing provision and to explore opportunities for future projects; collaborations and funding. Here’s to our next chapter! 🌈✨🏳️⚧️♥️ #lgbtqia #queer #queerjoy #arts #craft #artandcraft #community #tnlcommunityfund #northwest #morecambe #lancaster #funding #football #lgbt #communityinterestcompany #queerbygum #queerbygumcic

This Saturday is Norwich Pride 😊 Not sure if Pride is necessary? Read your local newspaper's Facebook comments. That'll give you a clue. Oh, and don't forget: • 9 out of 10 trans kids have considered suicide. • 320 trans and gender-diverse people were killed last year. • 94% of those killed were trans women or trans-feminine people - most of them were Black. • LGBTQIA+ communities are more likely to experience mental health problems. • And problems with substance abuse. • And they're more likely to have an eating disorder. It isn't getting better, either: • LGBTQIA+ youth who considered suicide rose from 40% in 2020 to 45% in 2022. • Reports of transphobic hate crimes quadrupled between 2015-2020. So, yes, Pride is important. It's not just a celebration of who we are. Of those who paved the way for us. As long as violence against LGBTQIA+ folk continues, Pride is a protest for a better, safer future - for everyone. Sources: PinkNews (2023), Forbes (2023), Stonewall (2023), Save the Children (2021), Mental Health UK, The Trevor Project (2022). #LGBTQIA #Pride

Join Us on Patreon and Support Queer By Gum CIC! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/egtmAi8A We’re Queer By Gum CIC, a not-for-profit grassroots project based in the North West. We organise and facilitate creative workshops, projects, and safer spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Lancaster and Morecambe. Why We Exist: Queer By Gum started as a weekly Queer Craft Club at The Gregson Arts and Community Centre, led by local artist and musician Vaz. As we grew, we recognised the need for more inclusive safer spaces where the LGBTQ+ community can create, connect and organise outside of crisis intervention or club nights. Here’s what our community says about us: “Comfort around other queer people, an open space for conversation and creative sharing.” “A place to explore my gender identity in a safe place, a place to find friends that I can then meet with, and a regular space where I can find community, touch base and remind myself that I’m not weird and I belong in this world.” “Connection to the queer community around me. I’ve been in Lancaster for 13 years and never knew there was so much friendship until now.” “It has made a positive impact on my mental health, having a space where I can connect to the LGBTQ+ community, a space where I can make art and meet lovely people”. "Community & uplifting LGBTQ+ people in difficult times" What We Offer: We run a variety of volunteer-led activities, including: * Weekly Craft Club * Social Club * Football Club * Monthly Book and Coding Clubs Find out more on our website: www.queerbygum.org.uk In the past year, we’ve organised numerous events from Queer Variety Shows to a Queer Ceilidh. Alongside collaborating with local arts organisations such as The Gregson Arts and Community Centre, Good Things Collective, LitFest, The Dukes, Lancaster University, Kendal Pride, and Queer Boots. In July 2024, we became residents of the new Good Things Collective creative hub in Morecambe, launching the Queer By Gum Studio alongside other local artists and creative enterprises. The studio is available for hot-desking, meetings, workshops, and projects. We welcome bookings from LGBTQ+ individuals and organisations. How to Book the Queer By Gum Studio: To book sessions, spaces, or subscribe, follow this link and use the joining code TYVYQS: Booking Link. Select 'Good Things Collective' and create your profile! How You Can Help: We’re inviting you to support us on Patreon! By subscribing, you’ll receive an exclusive monthly newsletter curated by local artist Jack Taylor, highlighting our ongoing projects. Your contribution will help us cover core costs and continue to grow! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/egtmAi8A Or, join our free newsletter and mailing list: Newsletter Sign-Up Thank you for supporting Queer By Gum CIC. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch! Best wishes, Vaz (they/them) Founder & Director