LGBT+
Know Your History Feel as though you are suddenly surrounded by rainbows? That might be because February is LGBT+ History Month, dear reader, which means there are more LGBTQ+ events taking place than ever! If you’re a movie lover, then you will be pleased to see Showroom is marking the month with a packed programme of films and events celebrating ‘Groundbreaking Moments in Lesbian Cinema’. Kicking off the month is Dykes, Camera, Action! (Fri 7 Feb) – a bold documentary featuring some of the most influential lesbian filmmakers of the past 50 years, followed by an afterparty hosted by queer drag DJ Anna Kissed. Looking for ideas for your Valentine’s date? Head to a special preview screening of Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Fri 14 Feb), which tells the story of a stolen romantic relationship between two women, the highly anticipated masterpiece by director Céline Sciamma. Doc/Nights Presents: Barbara Hammer - For Her Pleasure (Wed 19 Feb) will feature a selection of short films from the incredible, pioneering filmmaker Barbara Hammer, exploring the female body, desire and pleasure through experimentations with film. Finally, the lesbian cinema offerings is Desert Hearts (Mon 24 Feb) – an electrifying romance set in the 50s about two women, made entirely independently on a shoestring budget with an evocative jukebox soundtrack and vivid cinematography. If that’s not enough LGBT+ content for you there is also a screening of Kinky Boots – The Musical (Tue 4 & Sun 9 Feb) filmed live at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End. This unmissable musical theatre event celebrates a joyous story of British grit transforming into a high-heeled hit as it takes you from the factory floor of Northampton
to the glamorous catwalks of Milan! There are more film offerings courtesy of SAYiT (Sheffield’s LGBT+ youth charity) at Scotia Works (Fri 28 Feb) as they join forces with Ashiana for a special LGBT+ History Month screening of Major! – a documentary film exploring the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated black transgender elder and activist who has been fighting for the rights of trans women of colour for over 40 years. There will also be a chance to raise funds for the charity and test your LGBT+ knowledge at their Big Fat Quiz of the Queers, hosted by Anna Kissed and Max Satisfaction at Spirit of Sheffield (Wed 26 Feb). Want to gen up on your queer knowledge? Then there are two opportunities to hear Sandra Baker Donnelly, LGBTQ+ historian and a founder member of Steel City Queer History, talk about
Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ history at Weston Park Museum (Thu 6 Feb) and Sheffield Central Library (Thu 20 Feb). New regular Queer Social & Open Deck takes place at Sheffield’s cutest DIY community space, Gut Level (Wed 5 Feb) – providing an alternative, safe space for queer/LGBT+ people to meet and socialise, with access to equipment for DJ practice and skill sharing - beginners welcome! Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josie Long takes to the stage at Leadmill with her new show Tender (Sun 9 Feb) about the mindbending intensity of new motherhood, but mostly about kindness, gentleness and joy. The aim is for you to come out of it feeling optimistic about the future, although that is a big ask. At the very least there will be some really silly voices in it. Also at Leadmill we have the latest queen to visit the city with Miz Cracker’s American Woman (Fri 7 Feb) taking the venue by storm with a witty and informative comedy show made for women from every background as well as the men among us. The RuPaul’s Drag Race star will use comedy and performance to open a discussion upon the way in which drag queens and gay men can become better allies to women in an age where feminism is more important than ever! For more drag joy head to Malin Bridge Inn’s Drag Queen Bingo Show (Fri 7 Feb) with Miss Tish Ewe and after show with Betty Bangs! Get strapped in as Miss Tish Ewe hosts Naughty Blankety Blank, Bitchy Bingo and a Live Version of Cards Against Humanity! Sheffield’s own Drag King and Queens troupe, The Half Montys, are also back and even more heartbreaking than ever with their Bad Bromance show at DINA (Fri 14 Feb) featuring Sam Antics, King Confuza, Hilda Frisby, Stacy’s Mom, plus very special guests Lärzzz Umlaut Sveto Slava, Mr Jamie Pizzazz and Tom Foolery. Delicious Clam and Hatch join forces to present Live: Laugh Love (Sat 15 Feb) – an alternative / anti-Valentine’s event for all with a completely unwholesome descent into matters of the heart. Expect chaos, amateur drag, novelty trance and some very strange experiences. Undercover returns to Café Totem for Into the Dark (Sat 15 Feb) an inclusive night welcoming everyone, whatever their sexuality, gender, age, nationality or race. Expect some seriously hot dance music from Chicago house and old school acid through to pounding techno, electro and beyond. Last but by no means least, over at Theatre Deli we have two performances of Guy (Thu 13 & Fri 14 Feb) – with heart-pounding electropop anthems and witty, heartfelt story about modern dating through a diverse cross-section of gay men.
That’s your lot for this month! For full up to date listings head facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents. www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 73