This was such a beautiful day and night of “queer community magic" by She-Her-They-Them, a community building social initiative for queer women, nonbinary, trans, intersex and gender nonconforming individuals which took place at Tracks; a great little hub, bar and kitchen in my local area Forest Gate.
The atmosphere was so welcoming, chilled and fun, from the lovely, helpful staff at Tracks to the mix of guests coming and going, not to mention all the gorgeous people taking part - it really felt like home.
My other passion along with photography is dogs and running with my spaniel Bowie around the surrounding fields and forest so it was really quite special for it all to come together here meeting people I recognised from dog walks and seeing pals I know from the queer community.
As well as photographing the event, I showed some photographs from People Like Us which was beautifully received; when a person from the community comes over and gasps “wow the representation” and feels so seen looking at the work, it’s the best feeling. It also made me smile when people recognised the work from seeing remnants of it still on show at the Glory. Sharing the work in person is really fulfilling and I too felt seen and appreciated.
By day there were stalls selling queer art, jewellery, plants, packers, cakes and sex toys along with workshops from poetry and politics to spanking and cake decorating… !
By night, sun turned to dusk and there was a plethora of performances to enjoy and a birthday celebration for one of the wonderful volunteers who had been working hard all day.
It was also really cool to have my hangings featuring trans, non-binary and gender-non-conforming identities smiling over the acts, some who spoke of themes that related so strongly to our images, felt really meaningful.
Artists and initiatives featured: Beaddiction, Copwatch, Sh! Womenstore, Emma McGordon, Kween Kream, Leftbiens, Casual Reign, Wild We Remain, You Grow Girl, Dom Holmes, Charlie George, S-Bars, St Patrick Star, Veronica Von Beaverhausen, Klaude, Dian Cathal, Bin Pankh Ki Pari