Say no to heteronormativity and celebrate Valentine’s Day in the queerest way possible š
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS, IMAGE VIA RAWPIXEL
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s hard not to be sucked into everything heart-shaped and feel the need to celebrate in the conventional ways we see advertised everywhere. The day itself can be very heteronormative, as celebrating love is so often restricted to the traditional ideas of what love should look like.
Dinner, drinks and a box of chocolates is great, but why not do something a little bit more exciting and different this year? Here are some queer events happening where you can celebrate your queerness and celebrate love all at the same time. š
Love(h)er
āLov(h)er is the first novel and fourth poetry collection by Azure Antoinette, the black American author dubbed the ‘Maya Angelou of the millennial generation’. Azureās work will be accompanied for this evening by performances from gender fluid ballerina Chase Johnsey and Vaudeville Dynamo and voguer SymonĆ©. Firing cupidās bow into the audience to kick start the event will be renowned model and activist, Munroe Bergdorf. To round off the spectacular evening, breakout pop icon Shura will perform an intimate set. As well as Loving (h)er, youāll spend the evening learning how to love yourself.ā
Solo Sex & Self-Love
“How to be your own lover this Valentine’s Day! Forget candlelit dinners for two and embrace an evening for one full of sensual delights for you, by you. Our panel of sexperts will be demystifying solo sex, talking about the barriers to entry (yes, that pun was intended) and sharing their favourite tips and tricks to help you cultivate more pleasure and self-love in your life. Resist the commercialism and pressure of the season and celebrate your unique self in style! Panelists include: Kim Loliya, Phil Moore, Ruby Rare, Ffion Harman.”
Grab your ticket here!
RosƩ Before BrosƩ
Illustrator and feminist activist Venus Libido and Vagabond Wines are launching RosƩ Before BrosƩ, a limited edition wine celebrating friendship and the realness of platonic love. A middle finger to the romance narrative forced upon us, and a love letter to the only ones who will save us in the end.
āFor all the single ladies or those just not a fan of Valentine’s Day head to your nearest Vagabond, London’s most experiential wine bar, on Galentine’s Day, 13 February, with your best gal pal and enjoy the ‘toast to friendship offer’: a bottle of the limited edition RosĆ© Before BrosĆ© with a Camembert to share for just Ā£40. Or get a bottle or two sent over Deliveroo style, curl up on the couch and enjoy with your bestie and your best-loved movies.ā
Dragprov at VAULT Festival
“This formidable drag duo of lovable soft-boy and sassy queen will serenade you with spontaneous raps, songs, and an entirely new musical, based on audience suggestions. A drag comedy show unlike any other. Think RuPaul’s glamour meets Whose Line Is It Anyway style improvised comedy. Serving you wit as sharp as their contour; jinks as high as their brows; memories that will stick with you longer than last nightās glitter, we present Dragprov.”
HE.SHE.THEY. x Harpies London Fashion Week
“HARPIES – Europe’s first LGBTQ+ Strip Club joins forces with international event series and genderless clothing label HE.SHE.THEY. for a very special one-off collaboration for London Fashion Week AW20 to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people, bodies as well as to push diversity and inclusion in fashion.”
“We also just wanted to throw a weird and wonderful party in London Fashion Week that celebrated all the best things to us that British Fashion is historically part of… art, political protest, provocation, self-expression, fun, boundary pushing, diversity and inclusion.”
Only reading DIVA online? Youāre missing out. For more news, reviews and commentary, support queer content and buy the latest issue. Your support is, and always will be, invaluable.
