OUT BRISTOL
“The definitive destination for the LGBT+ communities in the dual city region of the West of England.”
OUT BRISTOL
Welcome to Out Bristol an independent community magazine and website for the LGBT+ communities of the West of England.
Established in 2008 as an independent free access website and guide that joins up the dots to create a hub linking to further support and information.
The website and guide quickly turned into a magazine with the same aims as the website as a hub, showcasing what’s on in the region for LGBT+ people. This developed to linking with the tourism board to showcase the great things happening in the city region. The site is now the LGBT+ tourism site for the region, with links to information on where to stay, attractions, festivals and the LGBT+ Scene.
We have an open source policy for the site, magazine and social media which means all content comes directly from the source as they have sent it #nofilter. Our communities are diverse and editing content to one single voice when we are many voices does not allow for free expression.
Out Bristol has many contributors via its social media, website and magazine over the years and we welcome people to contribute to the website and magazine as the more voices the better.
Out Bristol is your virutal community centre, home of your Out Bristol Magazine. We’re a hub hosting a space to plug your events, social groups and news and we’re 100% independent and non for profit.
We’re whatever you want us to be.
We would like to thank you for visiting us and supporting Out Bristol.
OUT BRISTOL
MONTH LGBTQ+
Claim our past, Celebrate our present, Create our future
From BC to AD LGBT+ people have existed. Over the past 20 years, since the first UK LGBT+ History Month in 2005, we have highlighted the incredible things LGBT+ people in all our diversity have achieved throughout history in all areas of life.
Over the past 50 years Schools OUT have worked to #educateOUTprejudice and usualise LGBT+ lives, creating learning environments where all LGBT+ people feel safe, seen, and supported; which is why we founded UK LGBT+ History Month following the repeal of Section 28 to be a dedicated space to celebrate our rich and diverse history, herstory, theirstory. This year it is even more important that we:
Activism and Social Change
Throughout history LGBT+ people have been activists and helped shape and create social change, advancing society for everyone using many different approaches to activism:
Each year we choose five LGBT+ historical figures in line with the theme to highlight. This year we have chosen five LGBT+ people who have created social change from across the centuries in progressing change for women, the environment, housing, nuclear disarmament, preserving heritage, abolition of the slave trade, and immigration, among many other causes.
The 2025 LGBT+ Historical Figures are: Octavia Hill, Ivor Cummings, Annie Kenney, Charlie Kiss, and Olaudah Equiano.
DAY@MSHED LGBT HISTORY
This event is queer-led and part of LGBTQ+ History Month
Celebrate and discover LGBTQ+ lives in Bristol from the past!
OutStories Bristol present a day of fascinating talks at Bristol’s M Shed Museum featuring stories of LGBTQ+ people in the Bristol region over the last 150 years.
Topics include a gay poet who was a military hero, a century of lesbian dress styles, a gender non-conforming Victorian, and the story of Bristol Gay Switchboard which took its first calls 50 years ago this month. We will also hear how to research LGBTQ+ history in the Bristol Archives. The event will be held in the Studio Room on the first floor, upstairs from the main entrance.
There will also be information stalls for various local LGBTQ+ community groups.
Date: 22 February 2025
Time: 10:45am to 4:30pm
Venue: M Shed, Wapping Road, Bristol BS1 4RN
Ticket price: Free
Info: outstoriesbristol.org.uk
PROGRAMME LGBT HISTORY
This event is queer-led and part of LGBTQ+ History Month
10:45am – 11:00am Welcome Andrew Foyle, OutStories Bristol
11am – 11:40am Lori Wylot: Charley Wilson: Victorian Gender Rebel and the Changing Face of Media
11:40am – 11:50am Announcement about a new project: “BLAST! from the Past”
11:50am – 12:30am Jonathan Rowe: “A Crown of Friendship” – Fabian Strachan Woodley
12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch break
1:30pm – 2:10pm Lucy Bonner and Alec Temple: Bristol Archives – sources for researching LGBTQ+ history
2:20pm – 3pm Kim Renfrew: What is she wearing? 20th-century lesbian dress in the press
3pm – 3:10pm Announcement about a new Project “BLAST! from the Past”
3:10pm – 3:50pm Andrew Foyle: Bristol Gay Switchboard – 50 Years On
3:50pm – 4pm Closing thanks
4:30pm Event closes. Visitors must exit the building before 5pm.
A day of celebration......
WILSON CHARLEY
Charley Wilson, a gendernonconforming individual, defied societal norms in the Victorian era.
This talk explores their fascinating life through the lens of 19th century media, contrasting it with mediated representations of queer identities today. By exposing the media’s shifting narratives, we’ll challenge the idea that queer identities are a modern phenomenon, uncover
another unique example of allyship, and gain a deeper understanding of how the news continues to shape cultural perception.
Lori Wylot is a philosopher who loves circuses, mixedmedia collage, and Judith Butler. They are currently researching 19th century ‘female-husbands’ with OutStories, and are more broadly interested in the relationship between power and identity.
Victorian Gender Rebel and the Changing Face of Media
FROM THE PAST BLAST!
BLAST are a group of Bristol lesbians who want to celebrate our history. We wish to hear from lesbian women who were involved in Bristol’s selforganised lesbian groups from the 1970’s onwards. We hope that lesbians who went to any of the self-organised groups in Bristol will join us to share their stories and memorabilia.
BLAST wants to create a ‘map’ of groups, and to have quotes, stories and memories about what we
did, what these groups meant to us, why they were important – and more. We also want to collect any documents –posters, newsletters, etc. about the groups, that can be contributed to a permanent archive that records this important history.
BLAST will be at M Shed on 22nd February to tell you more about this project. Alternatively contact us at BLAST.07456@gmail.com.
FRIENDSHIP A CROWN OF
Fabian Strachan Woodley (1888-1957) was a Bristol born gay poet who was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in 1916.
His work appeared in Men and Boys, the first anthology of homosexual poetry in the USA published in 1924.
Jonathan Rowe is a Bristol born and bred local historian who writes for OutStories Bristol and “Bristol Times” in the Bristol Post.
Chairman of Brislington Conservation and History Society and Secretary of his local amateur drama group for whom he regularly writes plays and pantomimes.
British newspaperman, a soldier, a schoolmaster, poet.
ARCHIVES BRISTOL
Bristol Archives preserve official and historic documents relating to the City of Bristol going back 1,000 years.
Alec Temple (Archives Officer) and Lucy Bonner (Senior Archivist) will introduce some of the key collections, series and individual documents which may be used to explore Bristol’s LGBTQ+ history before presenting case studies that demonstrate how archive sources can be used to explore LGBTQ+ lives.
WEARING WHAT IS SHE
Join in a whirlwind journey through nearly a century of lesbian dress, seen through the eyes of straight and dyke media alike.
How were lesbians depicted? What were they wearing and where did they wear it? We’ll encounter aristocrats, bar toughs and gay libbers, butches, femmes and lipstick lesbians (including kd and Cindy of course), and find out about lesbian in-fighting over what we ‘should’ be wearing.
Kim Renfrew’s talk is based on research that forms part of her PhD in lesbian dress at the University of The West of England (UWE).
20th-century lesbian dress in the press
50 Years On Bristol Gay Switchboard
Bristol Gay Switchboard opened on February 1st 1975 using a private phone line in a back bedroom in Totterdown.
This is the extraordinary story of a small team of volunteers who spotted the need for information and, with no support or external funding, created an organisation which flourished for the next 37 years.
We look at how it began, the immense diversity of calls received and the help it offered, and how it grew to fill a need with the LGBTQ+ communities.
Andrew is a Bristol author and architectural historian. He is a founder member of OutStories Bristol, with a background in LGBTQ+ history education and research.
50 Years On.........
QUEER MEMOIRS A NIGHT OF
This event is queer-led, offering a space to explore stories of the past.
Over the past six months, Tom Marshman has been developing a writing practice, crafting a memoir that reflects on his experiences in 1990s Bristol. Set against the city’s evolving urban landscape, his work explores themes of exploitation, community dynamics, and political struggles— from Section 28 and the HIV crisis to the complex relationships between queer youth and powerful men. Through stories of love, identity, and a city shifting from grit to gentrification, Tom’s memoir hopes to offer a deeply personal yet universally resonant perspective.
To combat the isolation of writing, Tom formed a queer writing group, bringing together 16 members to share work, experiment with form, and learn from celebrated guest writers, including Travis Alabanza, Karen McLeod, Paul Burston, and Joelle Taylor. Now, we’re coming together for a special event—a celebration of queer writing, where members will share excerpts from their works-in-progress.
Date: 28 February 2025
Time: 7:00 PM | Readings begin: 7:30 PM | Event ends: 9:00PM
Venue: Sparks, 78 Broadmead Broadmead BS1 3DS
Ticket price: From £5
Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
A Night of Queer Memoirs & Experimental Writing
http://linktr.ee/bristolqpoc
Casual league is back for 2025! Moo-cho Gusto kicked off the year with a tough match against Wildcats who claimed a 3-1 victory. Well played cats! They scored all 3 goals in the 1st half but in the 2nd we came back fighting. Ev scored a goal 1 minute into the half, after a throw in from Amaia. We had a mighty defence, stopping those Wildcats from getting any more goals but didn’t manage to steal another for ourselves. Lara was our player of the match, for always making opportunities, linking up passes and bringing so much energy.
Next Friesian Desire took on Wolves in a 2-0 victory in our favourite match so far. In the first half we had many attempts at goal from our midfielders and upfront and eventually Mollie got in a screamer, ending the first half in 1-0. In the 2nd half Nads, our centre mid, sneaked in a goal (blink and you missed it), bringing us to a final 2-0. Shout-out to Zoe for an amazing last performance on the wing this season before her travelling adventure begins. Alicia and Annie were our players of the match with some determined runs. Wolves voted Pheobe their player of the match who is our absolute shield in defence.
FRIESIAN DESIRE. YOUR DEFENCE IS TERIFIED…
facebook.com/groups/queerhikingbristol
WHAT TO WATCH
MERLI classified 18
View: Netflix
Created by: Héctor
Lozano
Info: 2 seasons
Language: Spainish with English options.
Merlí: Sapere Aude is a Spanish-language spin-off series of the original Catalan show Merlí, created by Héctor Lozano. The series continues the journey of Pol Rubio, a former student of the inspiring philosophy teacher Merlí Bergeron, as he embarks on his own path in university. Set in Barcelona, the show follows Pol’s academic and personal life as he tackles philosophy studies, relationships, self-discovery, and the complex challenges of young adulthood.
The show’s name, Sapere Aude, means “Dare to Know” or “Dare to Be Wise” in Latin, which reflects the spirit of philosophical exploration that Merlí represents. Merlí: Sapere Aude expands on themes from the original show, particularly the influence of teachers, the power of friendship, and the struggles of identity and belonging.
JARMAN
A mighty spirit is about to reawaken. Yours.
Derek Jarman: film-maker, painter, gardener at Prospect Cottage, gay rights activist, writer...his influence remains as strong as it was on the day AIDS killed him in 1994. But his story, one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, has never been told. Until now.
This vibrant solo play from Mark Farrelly (Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, Howerd’s End) brings Derek back into being for a passionate, daring reminder of the courage it takes to truly live while you’re alive. A journey from Dungeness to deepest, brightest Soho and into the heart of one of our most iconoclastic artists.
Jarman’s works include taboo-breaking films like Sebastiane, Jubilee and Caravaggio, pop videos for the Pet Shop Boys (It’s A Sin and Rent), his extraordinary borderless garden in Dungeness, his shocking last paintings, and his unforgettable final film Blue, consisting of a single continuous frame of blue and chronicling what it’s like to lose your sight...but never your artistic vision.
NOMINATED FOR BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE AT OFF-WEST END AWARDS 2023
Entry requirements: 14+
Date: 23rd February 2025
Time: 17:00 -18:30
Venue: Alma Tavern and Theatre
Ticket price: £14/ £12
Info: www.headfirstbristol.co.uk
“This play will reawaken your love for the man. Highly recommended” Queer Guru
BOY
Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page, released in June 2023, is a deeply personal memoir exploring Page’s journey as a transgender person and his experiences in Hollywood. He reflects on grappling with fame following Juno, battling body dysphoria, and navigating secretive relationships. Page’s narrative is both raw and candid, capturing his emotional challenges and insights as he sought authenticity within an industry that often failed to see him for who he truly is.
The book has been praised for its honesty, emotional depth, and compelling storytelling. Critics from outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post describe Pageboy as “brutally honest” and “intensely emotional,” highlighting its evocative prose and Page’s vivid accounts of self-discovery and resilience. The memoir also arrives at a critical time for trans visibility, offering an urgent call for understanding and empathy toward the LGBTQ+ community.
As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a past that snapped at his heels, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot often stayed silent, unsure of what to do, until enough was enough. Full of behind the scenes details and intimate interrogations on sex, love, trauma, and Hollywood, Pageboy is the story of a life pushed to the brink. But at its core, this beautifully written, winding journey of what it means to untangle ourselves from the expectations of others is an ode to stepping into who we truly are with defiance, strength, and joy.
A Memoir by Elliot Page
ON BEING
REASONABLE
bristolskeptics.com / Dr Kirsty Sedgman / kirstysedgman.com
Skeptics in the Pub is a monthly lecture series, hosting academics from the world of science and skepticism, to share their unique research and insights. The goal is for every talk to delight and inspire, and help us understand our complex world a little better.
In February we are delighted to be hosting Dr Kirsty Sedgman of the University of Bristol delivering her talk ‘ On Being Unreasonable’. We’re living in an age of division. From abortion rights to immigration, gun control to climate change, civil debate has gone out the window. Everywhere we look, bad behaviour seems to be getting worse. The social contract is breaking down. Why can’t we all be reasonable? The trouble is, what’s ‘reasonable’ to one person is outrageous to another. Drawing on examples from public transport to civil protest to the ‘reasonable man’ standard in law, Kirsty Sedgman explores the judgment mechanisms we use to draw lines between acceptable and unacceptable, appropriate and inappropriate, legal and illegal, good and bad. In a world where we all think we’re being reasonable, how can we figure out what’s right? And when do we need to give ourselves and others permission to break the rules in pursuit of positive social change?
As Doctor of Audiences at the University of Bristol, Dr Kirsty Sedgman has spent her career working out how people can live side by side in the same world yet come to understand it in such totally different ways. Kirsty speaks about her expertise in the media and around the world, and her latest book On Being Unreasonable (Faber & Faber) was a Guardian Best Ideas book of 2023.
Date: 25 February 2025
Time: 19:00 -21:30
Venue: The Wardrobe Theatre
Ticket price: £14/ £12
Info: thewardrobetheatre.com
SeamuS O’ DOnnell’S
