Our connections with communities, families, and places influence who we are and what we do. Sometimes those connections and communities change, some are lost to regeneration projects, others are impacted by national lockdowns, and others grow in brand new ways. These reflections on belonging explore changing places and people in East London, as well as wider queer communities across the UK.
Anonymous, Missing: Queer community and dark room love
“My friend and I were reflecting about the things we miss from pre-Lockdown life and how our community has changed in the last year.”
The precarious nature of LGBTQIA+ community centres, clubs, pubs, cafes, bookshops, and other queer venues massively impacts the ability to develop and sustain communities. The heavy loss of many queer spaces and lack of appropriate funding and advocacy began long before Covid, but this period of lockdown has caused many to reflect on the spaces and places integral to their sense of self, their relationships, and their communities.
Lungi M, King Spida: OCD & I
“A day in the life of a spider, told from the perspective of the spider who has just arrived in a new house and is trying to put down roots. Every time the spider builds a new web, it is quickly removed by the owner of the house who uses a cleaning duster for this job. Over time the spider gives up and decides to find a new house to inhabit.”
Alice Power
We invited Alice to give a reading from her 2020 zine, I don’t know when to say goodbye to you. The zine is a response to the impending demolition of the James Riley Point tower block on the Carpenters estate in Stratford. The zine describes personal memories of growing up in the tower block in Newham, social housing, and the impact of regeneration.
Rachel Louise Mace, What is your substance
“In a world full of stereotypes and assumptions, it is difficult for a person to discover their own identity. We are shaped by communities but, when we strip everything back, what is our substance?”
Jane Leggat, Anatomy of This Lesbian
“A self portrait in mini-zine form.”
Georgie Cubin, Like All Gay People
“Series of lino printed posters trying to get across messages and thoughts.”